262 



Remarks on the most Tmportant Plant-Societies of the Island. 



and Anthemis tricolor have been found in sandy regions, and these two plants chiefly belong to other 

 plant-societies. On the sandy plains along the shore Opimtiu Ficus indica has often been widely extended ; 

 it occurs both as a cultivated plant and subspoutaneously. Its sweet fruits, TCauouTaoauxud, are very often 

 sold in the bazars of the towns. At Larnaka and elsewhere Lyc'uim euroimeum often grows together 

 with Opmitia on sandy sea-shores. On the shore near Limassol and in other places Rieimis communis is 

 to be seen growing abundantly ; this plant, which is annual with us, is as a rule more or less shrubby in 

 Cyprus and may be as high as 3 — 4 m. 



2. Rock-Vegetation. 



In cracks and crevices in the cliffs and on rocky shelves— even when quite narrow and with very 

 little mould — on old walls, I'uins, etc. a characteristic and notewortiiy plant-society appears. A great 



number of beautiful and interesting plants, several 

 of them endemic ones, have their true home in 

 these seemingly inhospitable places. 



A prominent species is Hyoscyamits aureus. 

 a relative of the common European henbane tK. 

 niyer). Its brilliantly yellowish-golden flowers 

 shine out of their dull surroundings, attracting 

 notice at a considerable distance. It is especially 

 common on the limestone cliffs in the Eastern 

 part of the island, as well as on the ruins of 

 ancient castles and fortresses, as, for instance, 

 by Famagusta. Cdsia Arcturus has similar 

 habitats : besides on natural rocks etc. I have 

 found it growing in narrow cracks in the walls, 

 several meters above the ground, at the convents 

 of Kykko (Fig. 100) and Bellapais; likewise a 

 number of different species of Sedum and Um- 

 bilicus— i. a. several fine endemic ones— Ruta 

 halepensis subsp. bracteosa, Silene fruticosa, the 

 woolly-haired Galium canum. and several other 

 species of the same genus; further a great many 

 other plants, named in the list of species in- 

 serted below. I should also include in the 

 rock-vegetation the small shrubby Amarantacea Boseu cypria. geographically one of the most i-emarkable 

 types. It prefers rocky regions, where it grows on terraces and among blocks of stone, frequently in 

 company with other maquis-shrubs. It often hangs down in abundance from the rock-walls. As it is 

 eagerly eaten by goats and sheep it fares ill where these animals can reach it. 



For plants growing in rock-crevices, shelves, brick- or stone-walls, etc. four faculties are indispensable: 



1. their root-system must be adaptable to very narrow fissures, 



2. they must be able to do with very little humus, 



3. they must be armed against an intense desiccation, often throughout a long period, 



4. they must be able to stand a severe heating, also of their subterranean parts. 



A climate like that of Cyprus is highly exacting in these respects. The intense insolation during 

 the summer-months heats the rocks to such a degree that they almost scorch the hand, and for several 

 months every summer and autumn only a few drops of rain fall and are immediately evaporated. 



Pig. 100. Celsia nrcturtis on the Wall at Kykko Monastery. 



