Samos

Notable species :-

Anacamptis palustris subsp. elegans
Cephalanthera epipactoides
Cephalanthera rubra
Epipactis densifolia (tremolsii)
Epipactis microphylla
Neottinea tridentata
Ophrys blitopertha
Ophrys ceto
Ophrys ethelmeae
Ophrys herae
Ophrys heterochila
Ophrys homeri
Ophrys pelinaea
Ophrys phrygia
Ophrys polycratis
Ophrys regis-fernandii
Ophrys reinholdii
Ophrys sappho
Ophrys samia
Ophrys samiotissa
Ophrys sitiaca
Orchis pinetorum
Serapias carica
Serapias orientalis

Notable species :- Anacamptis palustris subsp. elegans Cephalanthera epipactoides Cephalanthera rubra Epipactis densifolia (tremolsii) Epipactis microphylla Neottinea tridentata Ophrys blitopertha Ophrys ceto Ophrys ethelmeae Ophrys herae Ophrys heterochila Ophrys homeri Ophrys pelinaea Ophrys phrygia Ophrys polycratis Ophrys regis-fernandii Ophrys reinholdii Ophrys sappho Ophrys samia Ophrys samiotissa Ophrys sitiaca Orchis pinetorum Serapias carica Serapias orientalis
	Samos

Ophrys herae	Anacamptis palustris subsp. elegans	Ophrys samia
Areas of interest * Mount Kerkis This is the highest mountainous area on the island but the peak itself can only be accessed by a considerable trek on foot. The surrounding foothills however are rich in orchids and can be reached relatively easily via a network of small roads that interlink the small towns and villages around the base of the mountain. The villages of particular interest include Marathokambos, Agios Kyriaki and Mourteri. Orchis pinetorum, Orchis anatolica, Ophrys heterochila, Ophrys blitopertha, Ophrys regis-fernandii, Ophrys ceto, Ophrys samiotisa, Ophrys polycratis, Ophrys pelinea, Ophrys omegaifera, Anacamptis fragrans, cephalanthera rubra. * Ireo This small town is situated on the south coast of the island and is flanked on its western outskirts by extensive pinewoods. This woodland is home to several species of orchid. Limodorum abortivum, Ophrys samiotissa, Ophrys blitopertha, Ophrys heterochila, Ophrys parosica, Ophrys pelinaea, Ophrys homeri, Anacamptis morio subsp. caucasica. Between Ireo and Pithagorio to the west of the airport lies an extensive area of reed beds which are easily accessed by a coastal track. This is the home of Anacamptis palustris subsp. elegans. * Pagondas Situated some 5kms west of Ireo, this town is surrounded by orchid rich country comprising scrub, pine woods and agricultural land in varying degrees of active cultivation. The countryside adjacent to the Spatharai road is particularly rewarding. Orchis anatolica, Ophrys heterochila, Ophrys samiotissa, Ophrys mammosa, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys pelinaea, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp aegea. The pine woods immediately above the town support Orchis pinetorum, Epipactis microphylla and the scarce Epipactis densifolia (now regarded as Epipactis tremolsii). * Mili This is another small town situated to the west of Ireo and again one which is surrounded by orchid rich countryside, particularly along the road to Pagondas. Ophrys homeri, Ophrys blitopertha, Ophrys samiotissa, Ophrys heterochila, Ophrys pelinaea, Ophrys ethelmeae, Anacamptis sancta, Serapias carica. * Paleokastro From the town take the road eastwards to the coast at Posidonio. The final 6 kms of this road take one through large areas of garrigue that support many species of orchid. Orchis anatolica, Ophrys sappho, Ophrys heterochila, Ophrys blitopertha, Ophrys samiotissa, Ophrys ethelmeae, Ophrys homeri, Ophrys iricolor, Ophrys labiosa, Ophrys umbilicata, Ophrys leochroma, Anacamptis sancta, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp aegea, Serapias orientalis, Serapias carica. * Klima From the small resort of Posidonio follow the road west towards the even smaller resort of Klima. This takes you through a large area of coastal garrigue that holds a large number of orchids. The countryside surrounding the village is also productive, particularly the dirt road that continues westward to Psili Ammos. Orchis anatolica, Ophrys heterochila, Ophrys samiotissa, Ophrys sappho, Ophrys sitiaca, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys herae, Ophrys sicula, Ophrys labiosa, Anacamptis sancta, Anacamptis papilionacea subsp. aegea, Serapias orientalis, Serapias carica. * Psili Ammos This is an area of wetland noted primarily for its bird life (including greater flamingo and ruddy shelduck) but where one can see perhaps the hugest Serapias carica and Serapias orientalis its possible to see anywhere. Also masses of Anacamptis sancta. * Spatharai From Pagondas take the road to Spatharai and shortly before the town there is a turn on the right which winds uphill to the now abandoned football ground. The terraces in front of the ground and the scrub behind it hold several species of orchid. Orchis tridentata, Orchis pinetorum, Ophrys samiotissa, Ophrys sicula, Ophrys umbilicata, Anacamptis morio subsp. caucasica, Anacamptis pyramidalis var. serotina, Limadorum abortivum, Cephalanthera longifolia, Dactylorhiza Romana, Serapias bergonii, * Paleochori This is a small town in the far west of the island that lies in an elevated valley below extensive tracts of garrigue. Unfortunately the area has suffered badly from wild fires but a tract immediately above the village has survived (2024). The area doesn't look immediately promising, being dry and stony but investigation will reveal that although not high in numbers, several species find a home here. Anacamptis coriophora, Anacamptis fragrans, Anacamptis pyramidalis var. serotina, Anacamptis sancta, Neotinea maculata, Himantoglossum robertianum, Ophrys sappho, Serapias orientalis, Serapias carica. A track runs directly ahead from the crossroads above Paleochori towards the sea and a few hundred yards along a narrow track leads down into an active olive grove. The very scarce Ophrys samia has been recorded here. * Kalithea The pine woods along the road fron Paleochori to Drakei, particularly around Kalithea, is home to Ophrys samia .