As the rainy season passes and the sun begins to warm the earth, the Akamas peninsula is greened up and awash in wildflowers. Perhaps the most impressive display is found in the coastal area near the Baths of Aphrodite. Here, large colonies of Persian cyclamens have taken hold in the fields and even in the crevices of rocks. Their heart-shaped leaves are dark green and veined in white; delicate blooms in pink and white provide a light scent and a colourful contrast to the leaves. (These are not to be confused with the Cyprus cyclamen, the national flower that blooms in shady areas during the Fall). Another harbinger of Spring is the crown daisy, the blooms of which dapple meadows in brilliant yellow. Scarlet corn poppies also make their annual appearance around this time of year. While some flowers are putting on a bold display, others are rare and difficult to find. Indeed, over forty plants have been identified as being endemic to the Akamas—they can be found nowhere else in the world. The Akamas tulip, for example, has a population of only two hundred plants, all of them in the region. Take a walk and search for seasonal favourites like purple goat’s beard and ranunculus. Also be on the lookout for orchids—the peninsula hosts 17 species of bee orchids, so named because their flowers resemble bees to attract pollinators. Next to the Baths of Aphrodite is a small botanical garden where you can see notable species before venturing into the wilderness.
