WITH the rains we had last winter and the weather warming up, this spring promises to provide wildflower enthusiasts and nature lovers of all kinds an outdoor experience they have not had in years.
The heavy rainfall has resulted in a profusion of plant life, with flower species such as purple arabis, rock rose and curry plant blooming in greater abundance than they have in recent memory.
“Of course the rains contributed to the germination of seed and the growth of flowers,” says Forestry head Andreas Christou. “Now is the flowering period and someone in the forest can see many plants. Even in the fields the plants germinating are greater.”
March and April are the best months to find wild flowers in Cyprus, and the flowering season will last longer this year than usual because of the rain, says Christou. And with the increased beauty have already come an increased number of people out and about, hiking in forests and fields and enjoying the wild flowers.
“We can see people now; in the Paphos forest we have seen some tourists taking pictures and walking along the roads,” reports Christou. “This is an appealing season for people to visit nature.”
Sunvil Holidays managing director Noel Josephides says the rains have been a boon for wildflower enthusiasts. “It is a great relief that there has been a very wet start to the year,” he said. “Cyprus is an ideal destination for early season walking and bird watching holidays and it’s an added bonus when the countryside is so green, beautiful and full of flowers.”
But Christou did warn that with the increased vegetation and beauty come increased dangers for the environment, and that hikers and tourists should exercise caution when out hunting for wild flowers. “Because people do not know which species are endemic or endangered we advise people not to pick flowers,” he says.
In fact, some wild flowers, particularly several species of wild orchids such as the Bee Orchid, die if disturbed. Wild flower enthusiast organisations advise looking and taking photographs of the flowers but not touching or picking them.
Christou also warns nature-lovers that the colourful and lush environment should not lull them into complacency when it comes to being careful outdoors. “Because the vegetation, flowers and herbs are green now we do not have the danger of fire but in one month they will dry out,” he says. “Fire season starts in May, so we suggest respecting the environment, not touching or uprooting plants and when you eat in the forest don’t leave rubbish behind.”
Christou also cautions nature enthusiasts to be wary of snakes while outdoors because springtime is when they start moving along the hiking trails.
Wild flowers can be found all over Cyprus in the spring, but the western part of the island is ideal for finding the rarest species. The villages of Drouseia, Kritou Terra and Peristerona near Polis are awash in wild flowers this time of year, including rare orchids.
Bring your camera, but don’t touch.
