Levkas / Lefkáda

Following the valleys and plains the Archduke mentioned in the book, we decided to start with them checking what type of flora we find in these areas.

Starting with the plain near the city of Lefkada where olive trees are predominating (Olea europaea L. var. Europaea); climbing the slopes of the mountains south of the city, you can see pine and cypress among olive groves; and finally crowning the top of this small hill and you can see the first oaks.

As for wild flora predominates junceum Spartum, Verbascum undulatum, Phlomis fructicosa, Papaver roeas.

   

Inside Sfakiotes region, we arrive to Fryas with several bananas (Platanus orientalis) of large size in the square. Also we observe vines growing (more than olive trees). Throughout this region we also discover several big oaks (Quercus pubescens), ilex (Quercus coccifera) and almond (Prunus dulcis). The wild flora, at first sight, is quite similar to previous plains.

   

In the area of Ag. Donatos mainly lentil cultivation, therefore there are several grounds for this type of crop, also mentioned the Archduke in his books. In this area we find with lots of oaks (Quercus coccifera), wild pear (Agrapidia) and above all a huge variety of flora such as: endemic one (Paeonia Lefkadia), Campanula parryi, Nigella damascena, Crepis incana, Euphorbia peplus, Orchis quadripunctata.

   

   

Komilio area apparently keeps a high humidity in the central area which is good for poplars (Populus nigra). Even so, the most abundant in this valley are pines and various oaks. Remember also that around churches it is usual to find large bananas.

In Dukatos, vegetation suffers a great change, completely disappearing olive or oak, and only seeing oxycedrus Juniperus, Pistacia lentiscus and wild flora.

The next day we made the eastern part of the island of Lefkada, heading first to the village of Karia where we observed several olive groves and vineyards.

   

Already in Karia we find several large bananas in the town square. Following, Eglouvi, finding ourselves on the road with a burned area where low wild flora predominates compared to large trees. Predominating especially Spartium junceum, quite possibly the first one to colonize after a big fire. Later on we observe the normal state with the predominance of pines and some oaks.

From Platistoma to the coast in the town of Nikiana through Alexandros, you can see a predominance of pines and oaks and cypresses with some olive trees. On the journey, we see mulberry (Morus alba) and persimmons. Once on the beach, because of great changes made by human beings, you can see a predominance of eucalyptus and palm trees along the coast to the town of Lefkada.

Nidri: on the shoreline there was a pretty anthropised zone, especially the sea front, in this first line there are planted Ricinus communis. From the second line there are a variety of fruit trees around houses (loquat, orange and lemon), vineyards and close to the church, bananas. Regarding the predominant surrounding vegetation: oaks, cypress and pine trees mainly.

   

Finally we were in the southern part of the island, more specifically between the towns of Vasiliki and Sivota. In the resort of Vasiliki we observe around the dock eucalyptus trees, and pines and oaks and some olives. In Saviota, on the other hand, we proceeded to take a trip searching for a small lake, and along the way we could find a landscape of large olive trees, pines, oaks and some arbutus (Artubus unedo). Then we get to a position near the small lake where vegetation almost completely change: from large trees to Mediterranean scrub with a predominance of Erica manipuliflora.

As for Fauna we saw: butterflies, spiders and beetles.

   

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