Flora

The flora of Syros is part of the island’s rich ecological heritage, shaped and shaped by its Mediterranean climate and rich biodiversity. In this website we explore the diverse plant life of Syros, from the characteristic shrubs and aromatic herbs to the rare endemic species, highlighting both the natural beauty and the historical significance of its vegetation.

Vegetation and Biotopes in Syros

4 August 2016
by Achilles Dimitropoulos

There are two points of view related to the woodland character of the Cyclades through time. According to the first one these islands were always barren with very limited vegetation. Their landscape has changed very little with the passage of time.

The second view suggests that these islands were green and forested many years ago, attributing the cause of their present barren face to lumbering, wildfires and various other environmental factors. The more we search the past of the islands the more we discover indications that lead to the conclusion that in past times there was indeed thicker vegetation, and even isolated forests, but the real picture of the islands was far from the “paradise” that the “romantic” second view claims. It is indeed possible, that the distribution of the vegetation zones and biotopes was like the present day one. The coastal woodlands and swamps were the more vulnerable biotopes and the first ones to be degraded and, later, lost. On the contrary, the vegetation around the scarce water sources of the mainland was preserved relatively intact and in some of the Cyclades there are still preserved parts of ancient forests which surround the few wetlands hidden in the mountain slopes and the deep valleys.

For the researcher in the field of zoogeography, it is certain that most of the animal species existing today on the islands have existed since old times and either they increased in number, if the environmental changes were favorable, or they decreased due to human activities and the degradation of their habitats. It is natural that the more ecologically specializing species were more vulnerable and decreased in numbers, with some reaching the point of extinction, than those closer to man or the more adaptable ones. The carnivores, like the wild cat and the large birds of prey are a characteristic example. On the contrary, reptiles expanded together with the phrygana – type vegetation that replaced certain lumbered or burnt woodlands.

The flora of Syros is characterized by Mediterranean species of bushes and phrygana, which in some cases are attaining tree form. The commonest of these “trees” is always the Areftià or Fὶda which is no other than the two species of Juniper (Juniperus phoenicea καιJ. macrocarpa). In times past, these bushes were very widespread and most probably, they formed impenetrable thickets; these were the ones that Della Rocca referred to, when he wrote that the Turks and the Venetians had destroyed the costal woodlands of the island situated opposite Delos, i.e. Syros.

Phoenician Juniper had many uses for the inhabitants of the island: Its wood is hard, and it is known that the Turks made sword handles with it. As fuel, it gives a bright flame and was used in kilns of iron and copper smithies, after it was made into coal (blacksmith-coal).

Contrarily to Tournefort who claims that timber on the island is scarce, Ambelas and Della Rocca insist that there was in “enough abundance”. Apart of two species of Juniper, on the island there exist moreover, wickers, wild olive trees and carobs. Carobs together with wild goat meat consisted the main food of the about 400 “Syriots” when Buondelmonti met them in 1414.

Since very old times, there have been many systematic “reforestations” with pine trees in various places of Syros, as on the Anastasis hill and the slopes of the Vaporia district. Tamarisks were planted (Tamarix sp.)in the saline grounds along the coast from Tarsanas to Axos, as well as on the Vari’s beach and elsewhere.

Other tall bushes used for their wood include also the Holly Oak (Quercus coccifera), the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo), the Italian or Mediterranean Buckthorn (Ramnus alaternus) and the Evergreen Oak. Of the phrygana, the Myrtle and the Laurel as well as the Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum), the Perforate Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), the Common Sage (Salvia officinalis), the Gorse (Ulex europaeus), the Thorny Broom (Genista acanthoclada), the Alifonas (Centauria spinosa), and the Common Thyme (Coridothymus capitatus), which together with Spurge (Euphorbia antiquorum)and the Thorny Broom (Genista acanthoclada)were also collected for various domestic uses, from making brooms to the preparation of herbal teas.

The collection of Saffron (Crocus) on Mytakas was a habitual occupation of the inhabitants of Syros. On the island we meet three species of Crocus, Crocus laevigatus, Crocus cartwrightianus, and Crocus tournefortii. In the herbarium of Goulandris Museum of Natural History there are preserved samples of Crocus tournefortii collected from the Source of Aghios Athanasios, around Aghios Dimitrios site and from Megas Gyalos.

The various place names preserved till today, show the importance that plants had for the inhabitants of the island, not only as objects of their daily lives but also as reference points and place names: Schinonisi (Schinos’ island), Kyperousa (from Cypress Tree), Charoupia (Carob Tree), Ambela (Vineyard), Xylokopi (Timberland),Prasonisi (Leek island), Megalefki (Great Poplar).

The smaller or larger oak forests of the Quercus cocciferaand the Evergreen or Holly Oak Quercus ilex, which probably lived together with clusters or even groves of pine trees (Turkish Pine, Pinus brutiaand, perhaps, Aleppo Pine, Pinus halepensis), as it is shown even today by what is left of the forests of Kea, were of the biotopes that were lost and had comprised an important habitat of the island. The destruction of these forests happened very early in Syros, leaving almost no traces of their existence. On the contrary, today there is no actual forest, or any forest species on the island, and their place is taken by phrygana expanding even on the fallow fields while the erosion renders bare the rocky substrate, which can be seen here and there.

The Mediterranean maquis shrub (3) remains only in some places and becomes thicker in the wet areas, especially near seasonal streams and ravines, which are precious elements from an ecological point of view, as they direct the rain water flow while the bushes hold the soil and prevent erosion. Unfortunately, in other Cyclades’ islands, a regular building on stream beds has begun in the name of the ill-conceived touristic development. Syros is luckier as the few small wetlands in the Source, Syriggas, Piskopio, Chroussa still exist, and they must be protected at any cost.

The plant species that exist on Syros and the Cyclades are few, compared to those of mainland Greece, while many species that exist, for example, in Evia they are completely absent, as already since 1950 Rechinger had observed.

Especially the plants that belong to the phrygana type (4) have irregular distribution. Many species that existed once, today have disappeared. The small number of individuals and the impossibility of their natural re-introduction (from the nearby islands or from Evia) were the main factors that lead to their extinction. Indeed, even the narrow sea straits of 10-20 km are proven that have acted as efficient barriers in the distribution of plants from island to island in the Cyclades. On the other hand, many colonies of specific species which appear to be naturally born are proven to be the direct or indirect results of human intervention.

Other species of plants develop in puddles that fill with water during winter or early in the spring and dry up later. The coastal flora presents great interest, especially that around the more extensive beaches of Agathopes, Vari, Azolimnos, and Kini. Among the rare species that grow there is the exquisite Sea Daffodil (Pancratium maritimum),which is very common on the Agathopes beach and elsewhere.

Rare plants also exist in the wet areas around the Galissas bay, from the water edge up to the paved road; it is certain that there they are threatened by parceling and the touristic development that these last years has made Galissas full of hotels, pubs and restaurants. This area was, certainly, one of the most important biotopes of the island and still today is a stopover for the migrating birds. In August 1988, I, personally, observed several Herons sitting on the cisterns on the peak of the tourist period.

Phyto-geographically, the Cyclades are discerned in groups that have either common characteristics or great differences among them. Many species are found only in one island (Andros is a typical example) or a group of islands, while others have a uniform distribution. Species with uniform distribution are:

• Callicotome villosa – Spiny Broom
• Coridothymus capitatus – Conehead Thyme
• Genista acanthoclada – Broom
• Sarcopoterium spinosum – Thorny Burnet
• Satureia thymbra – Winter Savory
• Carlina corymbosa – Clustered Carline Thistle
• Oryzopsis caerulescens – Perennial or Rice Grass
• Iris sisyrinchium – Barbary Nut
• Astragalus hamosus – European Milkvetch
• Bupleurum gracile
  

A schematic classification of the islands according to their phyto-geographic identity was attempted by the scientists of the University of Lund (Sweden) who continue the work of Rechinger since 1957. In this classifictation Sifnos and Syros constitute a phyto-geographic unit. Andros, Tinos and Myconos have more similarities among themselves and with Naxos.

1. The author means the extant, present day species, not those which lived in other geological periods.
2. A few oaks also exist – apart from Kea – on Andros, Naxos and Ios, while on Gyaros there were pine reforestations.
3. Vegetation type of the Mediterranean areas, characterized by bushy plants of various heights and a few trees.
4. Vegetation type, characteristic of the Greek islands, but also of areas in the mainland, characterized by the absence of trees while the vegetation has been over browsed and is limited to small low bushes.
5. The common variety of plants which bloom in Spring at the edge of the port area from Tarsanas till Lazaretta. Previously there, there were wetlands. These plant species do not exist anywhere else on Syros.

GREEK LITERATURE

1. Αμπελά, Τιμ. 1874. lστορία της νήσου Σύρου. Αθήναι.
2. Γρύσπου, Π. 1968. Η Δασική Φυσιογνωμία των Κυκλάδων Νήσων. Αθήναι.
3. Διαπούλη, Χ. 1961. Ενδημικά Φυτά των Κυκλάδων. Αθήναι.
4. Ζερλέντη, Κ. 1952. Συμβολή στη φυτογεωγραφία των Κυκλάδων(διδακτορική διατριβή). Αθήναι.

FOREIGN LITERATURE

1. Rechinger, Κ.Η. 1943. Flora Aegaea. Denkschr. Akad. Wiss- Wien. Math.-Νat. ΚΙ. 105( 1).
2. Rechinger, Κ.Η. 1949. Florae Aegaeae supplementum. Phyton, Ι: 194–228.
3. Rechinger, Κ.Η. 1950. Grundzϋge der phlanzenverbreitung in der Αgäis I-III. Vegetatio 2: 55-119, 239-308, 365-386.
4. Rechinger, Κ.Η. 1951. Phytogeographia Aegaea. Denlkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien. Math.-Νat. ΚΙ. 105(3).
5. Strid, Α. 1970. Studies in the Aegean flora ΧVΙ. Biosystematics of the NigeJla arvensis complex with special reference in the problem of non–adaptive radiation. Opera Botanica 28: 1-169.
6. Strid, Α. 1971. Ενοlution in the Aegean. Proceedings of a symposium held at the Department of Plant Taxonomy, Lund, Sweden. Opera Botanica 30.

source: Syros Letters v. 7, 1989.

Translated by Aliki Tsoukala  /  Edited by Constantine Hatziadoniu

On the flora and vegetation of Syros

14 June 2015

By George P. Sarlis

Flora

1. The flora of Syros consists of 580 species, 60 subspecies, 1 variety and 1 form, ie a total of 642 taxa, belonging to 340 genera and 81 families. From previous investigations (KH Rechinger), 648 taxa (590 species and 58 subspecies) were known for the flora of Syros, of which 138 were not found, belonging to 37 families, while 5 were characterized as ornamental species.
2. The island’s flora does not exhibit intense polymorphism and therefore does not include endemic species in the narrow sense, due to the lack of high mountains and the small isolation of Syros. But about 20 endemic species in the broad sense are mentioned on the island by KH. Rechinger, Zerlendi and Diapouli from which the following were found: Orobanche amethystea Thuill ssp. amethystea, Orobanche fuliginosa Reuter ex. Jordan, Chenopodium ficifolium Sm., Suaeda splendens Gren. & Cordon, Centaurea eriopoda Rech. and Fritillaria ehrhardii Boiss. & Orph.
   
3. The most populous families are Fabaceae with 70 species and 4 subspecies (a total of 74 taxa), Poaceae with 57 species and 6 subspecies (total 63 taxa), Asteraceae with 41 species and 7 subspecies (a total of 48 taxa), Cichoriaceae with 30 species and 2 subspecies (total 32 taxa). Still from all the species of Syros flora 132 (20,56%) are characterized as aromatic and medicinal plants, 1 (0,16%) as pure aromatic, 65 (10,12%) as pure medicinal, 75 (11, 68%) as toxic, 8 (1.25%) as flavorant and 148 (23.05%) as apicultural. The large number of species of legumes (Fabaceae), grasses (Poaceae) and apicultural plants explains the developed animal farming and beekeeping of the island.
   
4. The spatial analysis of the florid data has shown that the Mediterranean species have an obvious advantage in the number and percentage of participation in the flora of the island (76.79%). Furthermore, a part of the present-day flora of Syros includes a large number of species, mainly around where people live, which entered in later times.
5. According to Raunkiaer, the bio-spectrum of Syros shows that therophytes dominate with a 51.41% participation, confirming the inclusion of the flora of the island within the limits of the Mediterranean climate. The analysis of the individual ecological forms revealed that the species of flora of Syros consisted of 334 (52,02%) annual, 29 (4,25%) biennial, 223 (34,74%) perennial, 50 (7,79%) shrubs and 6 (0.93%) kinds of trees.

Vegetation

The vegetation of Syros, from a plant-community point of view, is distinguished by the formations of coastal vegetation, evergreen hardy vegetation, brushes and weeds.

1. Coastal vegetation, according to local ecological conditions, is distinguished by sand vegetation, brackish vegetation and vegetation of rocky coasts. The first 2 types of vegetation, due to anthropogenic effects, have been severely degraded, resulting in plant species that do not provide an image of well-formed sand or brackish plant communities. The vegetation of the rocky coasts, from the composition and ecology of the species constituting it, is part of the Crithmo-Limonion Molinier 34 (C: Crithmo-Limonietea Br.-Bl. 47, O: Crithmo-Limonietalia Molinier 34).
2. The hardy evergreen vegetation, which has also been affected by anthropogenic factors, is found on the island mainly in the form of individual species or clusters, which in most cases have been penetrated by brushes. The characteristic species of maquis vegetation in Syros are the evergreen shrubs Juniperus phoenicea, Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, Rubus ulmifolius, Ceratonia siliqua, Olea europaea var. sylvestris (wild olive tree), as well as the deciduous shrubs Anthyllis hermanniae, Calicotome villosa, Vitex agnus castus, Spartium junceum, Colutea arborescens, Genista acanthoclada, Pyrus spinosa (wild pear tree), and Asparagus acutifolius (horseradish). This maquis vegetation, according to the latest data, is a divided structure of Ceratonio-Rhamnion Oleoidis (Quezel & Barbero 1979, Papanicolaou & Sarlis 1991) (C: Quercetea ilicis, O: Pistacio-Rhamnetalia).
3. Brushes, due to the Mediterranean climate, which favored their rapid spread, managed to occupy a large part of the island, especially the aforementioned areas, where maquis disappeared because of landscaping, overgrazing, wooding and other anthropogenic influences. Characteristic types of brushes found on Syros are Cistus incanus, C. salvifolius, Ballota acetabulosa, Phlomis fruticosa, Thymus capitatus (thyme), Sarcopoterium spinosum, Convolvulus oleifolius, Fumana thymifolia, Euphorbia acanthothamnos (phloem), Lavandula stoechas (wild lavender), Salvia verbenaca (sage), Micromeria juliana, Satureja thymbra and Teucrium polium, which form (from a plant-community point of view) plant communities of the union Coridothymion Oberd. 54 (C: Cisto-Micromerietea Oberd. 54, Ο: Cisto-Micromerietalia, Oberd. 54), as well as various phases thereof, such as the phase of Cistus incanus, Sarcopoterium spinosum, Thymus capitatus (Thyme ) and Phlomis fruticosa.
4. Weeds, due to favorable conditions, are spreading extensively in Syros where they form a variety of plant communities. In terms of the biotope where they grow, we distinguish these weed plant communities into communities of crops, which are classified under Secalinetea Br.-Bl. 1951, and nitrophilous communities around the populated areas, which fall under the heading of Chenopodietea Br.-Bl. (1951) 1952. Moreover, weed communities of both types form inside the curbs along the roadways, rural roads and paths.

From the above mentioned, it is noted that the flora and vegetation of Syros have suffered severe deterioration over time. The intense anthropogenic effects in the past, fires, landscaping, overgrazing, wooding for domestic needs, modern unregulated building and construction on the island, unregulated summer tourism, marine and terrestrial pollution have left their traces visible. All the above, combined with the unfavorable ecological conditions, especially the strong winds and the small annual rainfall, caused the deterioration of the flora and vegetation of the island, the destruction of certain biotopes, the transformation of the woody plant communities into a dwarf and sparse form with intense erosion, which in many sloping areas reaches the point of revealing the rock matrix.

Plants suitable for planting in salty soils

Scientific name	Common name	Ecological form of development	Characteristics
Arundo donax	Cane	Perennial	Robust in the wind, suitable for wind breakers
Atriplex halimus	sea orache (Mediterranean salty bush)	Bush	Tolerant to dry locations
Baccharis hallimifolia	Eastern baccharis	Bush	Tolerant to sea water droplets
Carpobrotus acinaciformis	Elands Sourfig	Perennial	Tolerant to sea water droplets
Cassia marylandica	Wild senna	Bush	Sensitive to the sea water droplets
Coronilla sp	Κορονίλλα	Bush	Suitable for stony inclined locations
Elaeagnus angustifolia	Russian olive	Tree	Tolerant to the winds
Eucalyptus	Ευκάλυπτος	Tree	Suitable for tree rows and protection of cultivated areas sensitive to wind
Kochia trichophylla	Summer cypress	Annual herbaceous	Water demanding
Mesembrianthemum sp	Ice plant	Perennial	Tolerant to sea water droplets
Myoporum leatum	Mousehole tree	Bush	Tolerant to sea water droplets
Nerium oleander	Oleander	Bush	Suitable for maintenance of soils and tolerant to sea water droplets
Pinus halepensis	Pine tree	Tree	Suitable for rocky and unfertile ground
Pinus pinea	Parasol pine	Tree	Suitable for rocky and unfertile ground
Pistacia lentiscus	Mastic tree	Bush	Suitable for soil maintenance
Plumbago capensis	Blue plumbago	Bush	Suitable for dry and rough areas
Rhamnus alaternus	Mediterranean buckthorn	Bush	Tolerant to sea water droplets
Tamarix parviflora	Salt cedars	Tree	Tolerant to sea water droplets
Vitex agnus-castus	Chaste tree	Bush	Suitable for soil maintenance
Zizyphus vulgaris	Indian jujube	Tree	Very tolerant to dry locations

Restoring the island’s vegetation requires long-term planning and high costs. For this reason, efforts should be made to prevent or at least curb further damage. Below are some points that, if adopted and implemented, will contribute not only to the protection and enhancement of the flora, vegetation and soil of Syros, but also to its ecological upgrading in general.

1. Plant native species of pinus halepensis (pines) and Juniperus phoenicea in various places to create shrub communities, but not as to disturb the landscape. Set up, in coastal locations, Pinus pinea, Tamarix sp. as well as other species suitable for saline soils and resistant to sea water, in order to create protective blankets to preserve the coastal terrain (Table 7).
2. Places of unfavorable ecological conditions can be replanted with dry bush species of the Syros flora, especially with brushes, most of which are beekeeping plants such as Thymus capitatus, Lavandula stoechas, Phlomis fruticosa, Teucrium divaricatum, T. polium, Genista acanthoclada, Sarcopoterium spinosum and Satureja thymbra. This will also enrich the areas suitable for bees benefiting the beekeeping on the island. Still various trees and shrubs suitable for coastal areas should be planted (Table 8).
3. Establish local (municipal, community) nurseries for the production of abundant material for the replanting of the above-mentioned species of the Syros flora, especially those that propagate with roots and have a rich root system suitable for soil retention.
4. Municipalities and Communities must create tree rows, small arboreta or small botanical gardens, depending on the available spaces, and preserve the existing ones.
5. Create green places around schools, playgrounds, churches, preserved houses and other buildings, even protecting, preserving and harnessing sites of historical importance such as Chalandriani with the prehistoric necropolis, Kastri with the small acropolis of the Early Cycladic era, Platy Vouni, the bay of Grammata and the cave of Pherecides. Of course, water is the most serious limiting factor in plant growth on the island. That’s why any attempt at tree or shrub planting must have allowed for water and care for 2-3 years after planting. Thus, the above efforts should be carried out both by the inhabitants of the island (in gardens, courtyards, sidewalks) as well as by the local bodies (Municipalities, Communities, Schools, etc.), based on some well-planned program. Still under the dry conditions of the island, with the use of minimal water, especially in the first stage of planting, the following could and should be cultivated: Ficus carica (fig), Prunus amugdalus var. sativa (almond), Punica granatum (pomegranate), Vitis vinifera c.v. (vines), as well as aromatic, medicinal and flavoring species like Artemisia absinthium (capsicum), Capparis sp. Chamomilla recutita, Coriandrum sativum, Cumin cyminum, Foeniculum vulgare (anise), Jasminum grandiflorum (jasmine), Lavandula hybrida (lavender), Mentha spicata (mint), Myrtus communis (myrtle ), Ocimum basilicum (royal jelly), Origanum dictamnus (dittana), O. majorites (oregano), Pelargonium roseum, Pimpinella anisum, Ricinus communis, Rosmarinus officinalis ), Rubus sp (wad), Salvia s.p. (sage) and Styrax officinalis.
6. Protect certain biotopes, especially beaches with sandy plant species, which will disappear completely, if the unregulated construction of hotels and tourist centers, sand removal and various abuses by the bathers continue.
7. Protect the island’s wildlife and fauna. Syros has always been of particular importance to migratory birds as well as to birds that either lived permanently there or fled to seek out their food, lay their eggs, or spend the winter. The information of the founding on the island of a bird breeding facility finds us totally in agreement, as this is a positive step for the protection of the Syros birdlife.
8. The free grazing of sheep and goats should be forbidden for at least 4-5 years, and afterwards grazing should be rationally managed to maintain and increase the productivity of the ecosystems of the island and to ensure their ecological balance.
9. Establish and maintain restrictions on the construction and land parsing, in particular a well-thought distribution of land uses should be implemented in combination with the sustainable management of renewable natural resources with the consensus of all the inhabitants of the island.
10. Protect the land, especially the marine space around the island and in the port of Ermoupolis, both from residential waste and from shipyard waste. Still, must prevent the establishment of an industry along the coasts of the harbor, which would contaminate the area even further with its waste. At this point, the establishment of a biological waste water treatment plant in the city could be proposed, the operation of which would be ensured by the use of solar and wind energy.

Finally, a variety of events, such as lectures, film screenings, exhibitions, seminars, public debates, etc., are proposed to raise awareness among the public and authorities on the protection and enhancement of the various ecosystems of the island. In addition, we propose inclusion of environmental education at all levels in school, the creation of school gardens, the use of youth in earthworks, according to the instructions of the appropriate authorities, the organization of an educational ecological summer camp, and the creation of a small modern Museum of Natural History training students and adults, as well as being a pole of attraction for Syros’ guests.

Source: Syros Letters vol. 26-27, 1994

Translated by Constantine Hatziadoniu