Some plants take many years to colonise an area and one upheaval will set back their re-growth considerably.
There is therefore a need to balance carefully between tilling, clearing and hedging to ensure trees receive light
and air, and ruining the conditions for slow growing plants. Timing is important; To till before annuals have flowered may seem a good idea from the agricultural tidiness point of view,
but at Trigono Lamda the aim is to allow seed to fall for the following years plants.
The four sites of trigono Lamda offer a range of habitats for wild plants to grow on. The Upper Land provides the high, stony, well drained land associated with drought tolerant plants, the hillside Lamda olive grove has heavy soil ideal for meadow flowers. The Lemon grove offers a combination of shade and sun and is home to many biennials, while the triangle offers a steep bank and untilled ground for perennials.
Autumn Flowers
The first plants shoot up as the first rains come in September. Cyclamen grow at the sides of the Olive grove, along the roadside close to the triangle, and on the terrace above the Lemon Grove.
Winter Flowers
By November, tiny pale crocuses are appearing along the lanes leading from the triangle to
the lemon grove.
These are followed by small blue irises in December and January.
Towards the end of December flowers begin to carpet the groves with yellow.
By the end of January the olive grove is a mass of yellow and blue. All over the area fields and groves are yellow,
followed by white, and blue.
Early Spring Flowers
April and May produce a stunning array of lowers as the small ground-cover flowers are replaced by annual and perrenials such as poppies, thistles, marguerites,
rock roses, herbs and many others. The land is tilled but has been left this year at the triangle and borders of the lemon grove, while the upper land continoues
to show shrubby plants typical of dryer slopes.
Late spring and early summer flowers
From May 1st, and sometimes before, burning is forbidden as it poses a threat to the increasingly dry land. Many plants are bulbs or rhizomes that require a dormant period in summer and can therfore withstand the drought. Others are annuals which set seed each year and then die; so new seedlings grow each year. Plants that survive the summer are often spiny, with thin, leathery leaves. They need little water and are the typical "Mediterranean" Plants such as lavender.
Coastal plants
As you walk along the coastal road leaving Methoni,
the sandy beach becomes narrower and the road gives way to a track.
In fact, the road literally gives way as it is constanlty undermined by
the sea and more recently by the insertion of sewage pipes, much to the dismay of residents.
Better, if you are travelling by car, to use the main road which veers left before you enter Methoni.
The plants that grow along the shoreline or close by become vulnerable
if traffic increase or the coast is "tidied up" for tourism. Plants shown on this page are relatively common
- almost taken for granted here - like dandelions and daisies in the UK.
But that is precisely why they are so vulnerable. The papery stachys shows the typical features of plants that survive wind,
with its low growth, small flowers and leathery stem and leaves.
Stones are washed up from the sea in winter and form a stony barrier between the banks and the sand.
If an octopus has been feeding close by in the winter, clusters of small shells can be found.
It is illegal to remove "treasures" from the sea of course - finds should be declared
and there is an active shore patrol unit in the area.
In this warm, sunny climate, coastal garden walls are adorned with succulents.
Medicinal and Culinary Plants
To find detailed information on Medicinal and Culinary plants you will need to consult specialist sources. However, it is worth knowing a few basic plants - crushing the leaves for the aroma, or drying for later use, can add to the enjoyment of a walk, make a simple meal special, or provide scents to lift your spirits and evoke memories. Here are a few of the plants and trees that grow on the Trigono Lamda sites. I cannot vouch for walnut but I keep Lavender, Rosemary and lemon oils to hand in the UK as I miss the scents, and they lift the spirits and have a calming effect. Essential oils can be bought at chemists and healthstores.
Lavender
Uplifting and refreshing, used for insomnia, poor digestion and irritability. Lavender prefers stony, well drained soil and grows wild on the hills in the area.
Lemon Balm
Used for Digestive disorders, nausea and nervous anxiety, lemon balm grows on lower slopes.
Giant Fennel
Is it Giant fennel or Dill? It grows at the triangle and, even more vigorously, at the lemon grove close to the house. I think it thrives on rain water from the roof! Its use is Culinary - Used especially with fish dishes. We used it chopped with salads or mixed with grated carrot to give a fresh, aromatic flavour.
Rosemary
Rosemary, a bushy shrub, grows wild on the higher sunny slopes of hills around the lemon grove. It has pale /purple-blue flowers and thin lance-like leaves in order to withstand summer drought. Like lemon, it is said to aid clear thinking and help to reduce poor circulation and mental fatigue.
Rock Rose
A componant of Rescue remedey, Rock Rose is used as a flower remedy for fear or panic. Bach Flower remedies are interesting and could be made at Trigono Lamda using the sun method, though I've not tried this.
Figs
Aid liver function and respiratory system so Used as a diruetic, and to relieve coughs. Rich in suger, I ate them fresh for breakfast each morning during late August and September, and dried them for use until January
Walnuts
Astringent, Mildly sedative and anti-inflammatory. Decoctions of the leaves are used on sores, cuts and wounds. The nuts are an important constituent of Greek sweets. There are 7 Walnut trees at Lamda grove. The green outer layer (fruit) must be removed and the juice stains brown, so wear gloves or you will have brown fingers for days! The nuts are then dried in the sun before storing.
Almonds
Trigono Lamda boasts two almond trees, but so far no almonds. One of the first trees to blossom - Late January to February, and one of the main nuts used in Greek cookery.
Plant Families and further information
There are hundreds of plant families and the renaming of them can be confusing to those of us who studied taxonomy years ago. Umbelliferae (celery and carrot family) has become Apiaceae and Leguminosae (bean family) - a most spectacular,interesting and easily identifiable family including wisteria, sweat pea, and broom, has been subdivided into several new families. Since Trigono Lamda is not priamrily aimed at botanists, I've concentrated on common names and will refer you to other sites:
Links to other sites
Trigono-Lamda cannot supply the detailed information that more specialist sites are able to; but take great pleasure in being able to direct you to some practical and some very beautiful sites:
www.theoi.com - Plants in Greek Mythology
www.theseedsite.co.uk - Taxonomy (and common names) of plant families