Springtime in Cyprus is the most popular time for walkers to visit the island. While the island can suffer from drought after a dry winter, the usual heavy rains between January and March awaken an army of wild flowers including over 30 species of orchids found in Cyprus.
Best Nature Walks to Find Orchids in Cyprus
Those who know where to look for orchids usually head for the west of island to the area surrounding the towns of Polis and Latchi. The Akamas Peninsula and the many hills and valleys surrounding the area offer some of the best nature trails and also the opportunity to hunt for flora.
The Akamas is easily accessible from the resort town of Paphos and offers several well-marked nature trails where orchids can be found either next to the trail or in shrubland several metres inland from the trail.
Plan a nature walk between mid March and mid April to see the best of the wild flowers and head for the Adonis or Aphrodite trails plus walk along the roadside verges connecting the villages of Neo Chorio and Androlikou. Other popular locations for orchid hunting are the hillsides around the villages of Kritou Terra and Peristerona.
How to Find Wild Orchids in Cyprus
Many orchids in Cyprus are extremely small and are sometimes difficult to find. Rare orchids like Ophrys kotschyi (see picture below) are only 2cm tall so are easily missed nestling between weeds and long grasses.
A good tip is to look for some of the more common orchids like the Wavy-leaved Monkey Orchid (Orchis italica) then stop and look very carefully under every bush and piece of long grass. It is often surprising what can be seen after staring at green grass for several minutes! It is also worth knowing that orchids grow with fungus around their roots so spot the fungus and an orchid may well be on its way.
Once one tiny orchid is spotted, others will appear as if by magic and, as they tend to grow in clumps, many more will be seen as the eye spreads wider to take in more of the incredible array of flowers.
Orchid Species in Cyprus
Of the more than 30 orchid species in Cyprus, common ones to be found in the western part of the island include:
- Wavy-leaved Monkey Orchid (Orchis italica)
- Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea)
- Spider Orchid (Ophrys sphegodes)
- Long-Lipped Serapias Orchid (Serapias vomeracea) - known as Glossari in Cyprus
- Anatolian Orchid (Orchis anatolican)
Rarer species like Ophrys kotschyi and the many sub species, which look very similar, can also be seen but require true detective skills to spot them amongst the array of other wild flowers in Cyprus.
Other Nature Trails in Cyprus
The Troodos mountain area offers an alternative for nature lovers unable to visit Cyprus in March and April. The cooler climes in the Troodos mean that wild flowers only start to emerge in late April and can be seen throughout May.
Many orchid species in the Troodos are unique to that area such as Orchis anatolican var.troodi and can be spotted on walks such as the Persephone Trail.
Cyprus Orchids
Discover the best wild orchids in Cyprus in March and April on the west of the island. Head for the Akamas Peninsula, grab a camera and be prepared to do some detective work. The reward is simply breathtaking.
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You may be interested in our article Best Time for a Nature Walk in Cyprus or seeing flowers whilst Mountain Biking in Cyprus.
Helen Smeaton - Helen Smeaton runs a cycling and hiking business and is also a freelance writer and web designer. Read her profile for more information
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