The flora and ferns of Cyprus

by Maurice Wilkins
(Scotland)

We returned yesterday to a cold, wet and windy west of Scotland from a week in sunny Cyprus, our first visit, where we stayed with relatives in Yermasoyia, just outside Limassol. While horrified at the scale of tourist development everywhere we found some lovely places, visiting Kaledonia Falls and the Troodos area as well as Cedar Valley and surroundings.

We spent a day driving slowly up to Lara on the west side of Akamas and enjoyed it immensely. We also visited Kurion and the beach below and revelled in the warmth and quietness of December in Cyprus.

My first interest is in the flora and I was pleased to find five distinct ferns growing along the path to Kaledonia Falls but the man on duty in the Forest Office in Troodos was unable to help me at all. Are you aware of any publication on the ferns of Cyprus, or anyone that would be able to help me with identification?

I look forward to hearing from you,

Best wishes,

Maurice Wilkins.