Flowers of Crete

Book excerpt: A celebration of the exceptionally rich, yet threatened, flora of this, the largest island in the Greek archipelago. Crete's enchanting landscapes range from rugged mountains to desert-like areas, coastal plains and ancient olive groves. Its extraordinary geological and climatic history has resulted in great plant diversity, with prehistoric links to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The authors and editor, united by their love of the island's flora, have produced a sumptuous and authoritative book, covering over 800 plant species, and with more than 1900 stunning colour photographs.