Orchids of Avia

The high elevation difference - from sea level to the base of the alpine peaks of Mt Taygetos - and the consequent variety of habitats - phrygana, low shrub, tall shrub, meadows, old fields, juniper forest, pine forest, fir forest, stony meadows - give Avia the opportunity for an high diversity of orchid species.
Hiking in Avia means easily spot all the known orchid species of the Southern Peloponnese. The frequency of the species of phrygana, shrub and mountain forest is obviously higher, while the species of mountain meadows are limited to specific locations.

In March we will find in the lowland the early-flowering species Himantoglossum robertianum and Ophrys fusca. A little later, Ophrys ferrum-equinum abound in the same zone and groups of Orchis quadripunctata arein blossom higher. In the more stony places we will find the beautiful Anacamptis coriophora, while the old terraces are full of the Serapias of the season, mostly Serapias orientalis.

Among the most interesting species in the area are the relatively unusual Ophrys reinholdii, the rather rare Ophrys argolica and some forest species of the genus Neottia, Cephalanthera, Anacamptis and Orchis.