Santorini: Flora
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The flora is characterised by species that thrive in dry conditions due to Santorini's climate (Daliana 73). Over 650 species of flora have been identified on the island. Types of flora include endemic vegetation, poisonous and epigenous weeds, as well as thorny and parasitic plants (Danezis, 77). The majority of flora mainly consists of bushes such as broom, spurge, capper, sage, knapweed and floral coastal type such as the lily of the sea and Salicornia. A dominant floral species is crocus that has historical depictions found on pottery and frescoes in Ancient Akrotiri (Daliana 75). Two species of crocus, including saffron, can be found in Santorini (Danezis, 82). Edible mushrooms known as Glistritses, Moskomanites, Laouchia, Laorchia, Ambelomanites and Sykomanites can also be found on the island (Danezis, 84). Fossilized proof of olive oil trees and new photogeographic species have been discovered on Santorini (Danezis 61).
The flora found on the volcanic islands of Palaia Kammeni and Nea Kammeni is comprised of approximately 40 species which blanket these islands with colorful flowers in the spring (Daliana 73). Iron bacteria, a substance that consumes carbon dioxide and generates oxygene, has been isolated in the ferrous water of the volcano. This same iron bacteria has also been discovered on Mars. This discovery has created opportunities to study and simulate experiments in the volcanic area to attempt to learn more about the Red Planet (Daliana 65).
The floral diversity of this island, when compared to the general flora diversity on the other islands, is low. Since this diversity is low, the spread of invasive species could be a potentially quick and disastrous event for Santorini. The island also lacks shade trees for residents, tourists and animals. Furthermore, most of the shade trees currently provided are non-native eucalyptus species.
In regard to tourism, today there is no emphasis or attempt to educate visitors about the plant resources of the island. Tourist programs could include day trips to identify, collect and cook with different herbs from the island. Identification or collection of some flowers could be done at different times of the year, such as the spring. This would draw tourists to a non-peak time when the tourist season is just beginning. Additionally, tours detailing gardening and/or the use of native plants to enhance homes and the built environment could be offered (e.g. Mediterranean gardening).
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| Source: | "Santorini: Sustainable Regional Development 2004; regional planning of the islands of Thera and Therasia Phase A: Analysis" |
| Pages: | pp. 156-157 |
| Written by: | - Michael Romanos - Carla Chifos - Francis P. Wray - Frank Russell - Menelaos Triantafillou and students: E. Crisanti, C. Freese, H. Fulmer, E. Huber, E. Lopez-Stickney, A. Meyer, M. Steele, H. Wadih, N. Luehmann. |
| University of Cincinnati School of Planning. | |
| To download the entire analysis and/or learn more about the University of Cincinnati: | http://www.therafoundation.org/articles/copy_of_University%20of%20Cincinnati/ |