Amorgos Nature and Geography wild beautiful with high mountains herbs

Amorgos stretches out to a long and narrow island, length 32 km and width between 1.9-5.5 km south-east in the Cyclades. It is wild and beautiful with high mountains that fall steeply into the sea. The highest mountain “Krokellos”, 821 m, dominates the north-western part of the island. Other mountains are “Prophet Elias”, 699 m and “Korakas”, 528 m.

In the northern part of Amorgos there is a nature reserve which stretches from just outside the village of Langada all the way to the northern tip of the island.

If you walk in the mountains you can find mountain crystal. In the three biggest long valleys (Aegiali, Katapola and Kalotaritissa) it is carried out a little cultivation, but mainly you will find olive groves. The mountains are covered with Juniperus, Cactus (Fragosikia) and bushes in all colors.

The first thing who hit you when you arrive on Amorgos is the scent of herbs. Amorgos is well known for its rich flora and many exceptional medical plants. It is said that Amorgos got its name from the flower “Amorgos”. This flower was used during the antiquity in order to produce gossamer tunic which was colored deeply red.

The different Aromatics and medical herbs you can find is for instance mint, chamomile, fennel, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage thyme and yellow gammander. The list of flowers is endless but just to mention some of them; dianthus microlepis, anemone coronaria, aguiiffhe dlegia amaliae, clematis viticella, alcea heldreichii, viola poetica, cyclamen persicum and anthemis orientalis.

In September you can enjoy many fresh fruits like figs, grapes, fragosikians fruits and pomegranates direct from the tree.

HERBS

Amorgos Mint
Chamomile
Fennel
Marjoram
Oregano
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme

FLORA

Dianthus microlepis
Anemone coronaria
Aquilegia amaliae
Clematis viticella
Alcea heldreichii
Viola poetica
Cyclamen persicum
Anthemis orientalis

TREES

Indigenous or naturalized tree species of Amorgos

Almond tree. Αμυγδαλιά. Amandier. (Prunus Dulcis)
Carob tree. Χαρουπιά. Caroubier. (Ceratonia Siliqua)
Valonia Oak. Ήμερη Βελανιδιά. Chêne Vélani. (Quercus ithaburensis, Macrolepis ou Aegilops) Also found on Lesbos, Kea, Ikaria, and the Ionnians. Sweet edible acorns.
Holly Oak. Chêne vert. Δρυς η αρία. (Quercus Ilex)
Kermes Oak. Chêne kermès. Πουρνάρι. (Quercus coccifera)
Cypress. Cyprès. Κυπαρίσσι. (Cupressus sempervirens var. cereiformis et horizontalis)
Fig tree Figuier. Σύκο. (Ficus Carica)
Φιλλύκι Filaire faux-troène (Phillyrea Latifolia)
Junipers Genévrier oxycèdre et Grec. Άρκευθος η οξύκεδρος, η μακρόκαρπος (Juniperus sp.)
Phoenician Juniper. Genévrier de Phénicie. Άρκευθος η φοινικική : “Φίδα“. (Juniperus Phoenicea)
Laurel. Laurier Noble. Δάφνη Απόλλωνος. (Laurus Nobilis)
Oleander. Laurier Rose. Πικροδάφνη. (Nerium Oleander)
Myrtle. Μυρτιά. Myrte. (Myrtus Communis)
Buckthorn. Nerprun. Ράμνος. (Rhamnus sp. et alaternus)
Wild Olive tree. Olivier sauvage. Άγρια ελιά. (Olea Europea Sylvestris)
White Poplar. Peuplier Blanc. Λεύκη η λευκή, λεύκη η αργυρόφυλλος. (Populus Alba)
Mastic tree. Σχίνος (μαστιχόδεντρο). Pistachier lentisque. (kokoretsies) (Pistacia lentiscus)
Turpentine tree. Κοκκορεβιθιά. Pistachier Térébinthe. (Pistacia lerebinthus)
Pistachio tree. Φιστικιά. Pistachier. (Pistacia Vera)
Platanus, Plane tree. Platane d’Orient. Πλάτανο. (Platanus orientalis)
Wild Pear. Poirier sauvage. . (Pyrus amygdaliformis)
Sumac. Σουμακι. Sumac (Rhus cotinus ou coriaria)
Tamarisk, salt Cedar. Tamaris. Αλμυρίκι. (Tamarix gallica, smynensis ou cretica)
Wild Privet. Troène. Μιρτολια. (Ligustrum vulgare) – invasive plant, violently poisonous.

Fruit trees present since ancient times and obviously well adapted (survive untended)

Sour Orange. Bigaradier (orange amère). νεράντζι. (Citrus aurentium)
Lemon tree. citronnier. Λεμόνι. (Citrus Medica)
Quince. Cognassier. Κυδώνι. (Cydonia oblonga)
Pomegranate. Grenadier. Ροδιά. (Punica Granatum)
Mulberry tree. Mûrier. Μουριά. (Morus sp.)
Peach tree. Pêcher. Ροδακινιά. (Prunus Persica ou webii pour la variante sauvage)
Wild Apple. Pommier sauvage. Άγρια μήλο. (Malus Sylvestis)
Greek Plum. Prunier Grec. δαμάσκηνο. (Prunus domestica ou cocomilia ou pseudarmeniaca)
Grape Vine. Το Aμπέλι. Vigne. (Vitis Vinifera)

BIRDS

The birds of the island are of great interest to ornithologists. There are two rare birds on the island which are almost unique to the area these are Andouin’s gull and Bonelli’s eagle. Amorgos is also a transitory stopover for birds migrating from the North to Africa for the winter.