Rhodes
Rhodes is the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, and the 9th largest of the Mediterranean islands. Today it is mostly known for its beautiful coast and beaches and is increasingly being developed to accommodate the sun-loving tourists who flock there throughout the summer.
Pyramidal Orchids flowering on the coast of Rhodes
For those interested in the history of the region, the island has much to offer, and the Old Town of Rhodes is designated as a World Heritage Site. Signs of the occupation by the Knights of St. John during the crusades are clearly seen in the medieval Street of the Knights and the castle-like Palace of the Grand Masters which is now a museum. Old Town also has a vibrant shopping and hospitality area which is well worth a visit.
A sunny scene in the centre of Rhodes Old Town
Rhodes is in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin close to Turkey and the flora and fauna reflects its geographical position displaying elements from both the Mediterranean and Asia. The island has a broad range of habitats featuring garrigue and maquis shrubs, calcareous grassland and coastal rocky areas.
Wild anemones growing in the rocky coastal habitat - phrygana - near Lindos
Inland there are farmed areas growing perennial crops, fruit and olive trees and, as you climb higher into the mountains, native coniferous woodland dominates the landscape. In early spring, while there is still some water in the rivers, the valleys support wetland-loving plants and animals.
The limestone coast near Kolimbia
The island is home to over 1,200 plant species, and up in the pine forests a special treat awaits those who visit in the spring – parts of the woodland floor are carpeted with wild cyclamen and various anemone species. There is a specially protected area for Paeonia clusii subsp. rhodia and another rare endemic species, Asyneuma giganeum which is a campanula species endemic to only three islands in the area.
Wild cyclamen carpet the ground in the forests above the coast
Wild Orchids in Rhodes
Ophrys Rhodia is plentiful close to the coast
The island has many habitats suitable for wild orchids and so supports a wide range of species from down on the coast to high up in the hills where the temperatures drop to uncomfortable numbers and the forceful winds, for which Rhodes is famous, can feel icy cold. Searching for bee orchids in such conditions feels counter intuitive for those of us more used to looking for them in the much warmer temperatures of other southern European countries. Fleeces and warm waterproof jackets are essential for trips in early April which is peak flowering times for the Ophrys species.
A forested mountain slope near Profitas Ilias is home to wild anemones and several species of orchids
For those particularly interested in Ophrys - Bee orchid - species, a spring visit to Rhodes is an absolute must, but other orchids are also present with Holy Orchid Anacamptis sancta, Naked-man Orchid Orchis italica and Dense-flowered Orchid Neotinea maculata all putting in an appearance. Notable among the Ophrys species are Ophrys Regis-Ferdinandii, Ophrys candica, Ophrys reinholdii and Ophrys rhodia. Three species of tongue orchids grow in coastal sandy and rocky habitats, Small-flowered Serapias, Serapias parviflora, Bergon’s Tongue Orchid Serapias Bergonii, and Serapias carica which is by far the most robust-looking of the species. Also present on cliff top walks are numerous examples of Ophrys phryganae and, at higher elevations smaller-flowered examples appear, referred to by some as Ophrys sicula, on the sides of tracks.
Ophrys phryganae
Good places to look for wild orchids in Rhodes
Bergon's Tongue Orchid
If you are staying close to the coast and there are some coastal or cliff top walks close to home don’t ignore them by travelling unnecessarily far afield. We found five species of orchids five minutes from our hotel. Also, neglected or abandoned olive groves are excellent – not those regularly ploughed to keep weeds down in the early spring.
For the more determined orchid hunter, a trip into the hills is essential and there are two areas that are worth serious concentration. Profitas Ilias and Mount Attavyros – and the roads in between the two - host numerous orchid species including Giant Orchid (really early in the year), Man Orchid, Dense-flowered Orchid and a number of the Bee Orchids.
Fly tipping and litter blights the countryside throughout Rhodes
Rhodes is well worth a visit for those interested in the natural world and there are a number of wildlife travel companies who run accompanied trips to help people to get the most out of their visits. There is, however, a sadder side to Rhodes and one which makes hunting for plants, particularly along the coast, potentially hazardous. Litter lines the paths and nearly all the tracks passable by vehicles end in mountains of fly-tipping. Sensible footwear and long trousers are essential when venturing into the countryside to protect against discarded debris as well as the prickly plants, and ticks.
Orchids seen in Rhodes, with locations
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