The program Natura 2000 is a network of areas / zones for the ecosystem protection throughout the European Community. The aim is to ensure the survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species in our ecosystem ( fauna & flora ) and general biodiversity .

Rare plants in the area

It is not only the local endemic plants that are interesting from a botanical point of view. There are also many plants that are endemic only to Evia or only to Greece. Some are rare, that is, they can be found only in small numbers, or they grow in few areas.  Ochi is the southernmost point at which some species will grow, while others are simply valued as decorative plants.
 

Campanula celsii carystea:A species of bellflower that is one of the loveliest endemic plants of the area and common on the southern foothills of Ochi. It even grows on the upper walls of the Castello Rosso.

Stachys euboica:Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, it is an endemic aromatic plant that grows on the rocky ground of Cavo d’Oro, in the Aghios Dimitrios ravine and in very few other places around Ochi.

Mountain tea: Known as Sideritis euboica. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is endemic to Evia and grows only on the high mountains of the island. On Ochi, it usually grows at an altitude of over 800 metres and is abundant in some areas such as above Aghios Dimitrios.

Inula subfloccosa:Is a very rare local endemic plant that grows on steep, stony ground, such as on the mountains of Cavo d’Oro and Stefania in Lala.


Armeria johnsenii:A rare local endemic plant that is only to be found near the shore around Cape Kafireas, on the Kallianos shoreline, and in very few other places in Cavo d’Oro.

Cerastium runemarkii:A rare endemic plant that is found primarily in Naxos. On Evia, it grows only on the peaks of Ochi.



Paeonia mascula subsp. hellenica:A rare plant and one of the most beautiful and vulnerable wildflowers. It grows in very few places in the broader region of the Aghios Dimitrios ravine. Just above the village of Rouklia, there is one of the largest colonies of this species in Greece.
 

Viola euboea:The wild pansy of Evia is endemic to the island and can be found in various hues such as violet, yellow and off white. It flourishes on many parts of the island.



Fritillaria ehrhartii:A rare Greek endemic plant that rather looks like a tulip. It can be found in the valley of Lala and the ravine of Aghios Dimitrios, but the biggest population is on the pseudo-steppes of Plakota, on the southern foothills of Ochi.


One of the unique features of the region is the endemic plants that have survived on this craggy mountain and the turbulent shores. There are at least 7 kinds of local endemic species in the broader region of Ochi that exist nowhere else on earth. Current studies are looking into whether there are more endemic varieties. Ochi and Cavo d’Oro have been recognised as “Aegean centres of endemicity”. They are quite literally a botanical paradise for both Greece and Europe. Despite its small size, the mountain is considered to be one of the most interesting areas where plants can be studied.

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