The strawberry tree can be seen all over the island. Traditionally Greek flutes are made from the wood. The bark has been used for tanning in Greece.
This is a typical roadside scene in March
Horsetails have been around for millions of years and have been used for their medicinal powers since the ancient Greeks.
Parentucellia-viscosa or yellow Bartsia
Echium italicum. This herb is a popular remedy for snake bites although I would not
recommend it
.
Colchicum cupanii this is extremely poisonous and is nearly always lethal .
Allium roseum or rose garlic
Coronilla securidaca or scorpion vetch
Umbilicus parviflorus one of the Navelworts
Wildflowers Of Corfu page 1 of 2
Ornithogalum-narbonense or Star Of Bethlehem. Believed to prevent baldness if used as a shampoo.
Many Crocus can be found in Autumn when not many other flowers are to be found.
Cyclamen brighten up the island in the winter months and masses of them can be found everywhere. Sowbread baked from the roots are said to make people fall violently in love.
The Asphodel lily or Asphodelus aestivus can be seen flowering up to June. It was used to treat several diseases by the Greeks and Romans. The roots are used to make a glue used by bookmakers and shoemakers.
Many varieties and colours of the beautiful shrub Cistus can be found on the island. This plant is used in Greece in preparing infusions similar to tea.
Cytinus a peculiar plant that is parasitic on white Cistus. An old herbal remedy good for those troubled with colic, dysentery and Blood spitting.
Phlomis fruticosa or Jerusalem
Knautia-arvensis or Field Scabious is very common in Corfu once used to treat scabs and sores.
Wild gladioli (Gladiolus illyricus) once called xiphium deriving from the Greek word for sword.
Poppies can be found all over Corfu and brighten many roadsides and olive groves.
In ancient Greece Poppies were considered sacred to Hypnos, the God of sleep.
Anemone pavonina The name Anemone derives from the Greek word for wind. It was believed
that the wind caused the flowers to bloom.
These colourful flowers are Anagallis arvensis or scarlet pimpernel and Anagallis
foemina or blue pimpernel
Hypericum-empetrifolium or Crowberry-leaved St. John's Wort In ancient times it was renowned for its therapeutic properties. It is said that warriors would use it on their wounds in order to assist healing, hence the Greek common name for the plant: “spatho-horto”, literally meaning “sword-grass”.
I think this is a type of Hypecoum
Briza maxima (Greater quaker grass)
This lovely Centaurea species (cornflower) is rich in nectar and attracts many bees and butterflies.
This is the unusual looking Cerinthe major or Honeywort.