Flora

The rich flora of the region is related to the fact that it has the greatest diversity of habitats compared to any other mountainous area in the Peloponnese.

Chelmos is considered to be a hot spot of biodiversity in the endemic flora, hosting a high number of plant taxa - including Greek endemic, endemic of Peloponnese and local endemic species, many of which either belong to one of the IUCN Red Data Book risk categories, and / or are integrated into an international conservation regime, as well as habitat types that are significant both at national and European level.

1. Adonis cyllenea

It is considered as endemic to the mountains of Northern Peloponnese (Ziria, Olygirtos, Trachy, Saitas). It is included in the two Red Data Books of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece (1995 & 2009).

2. Alchemilla aroanica

It is a local endemic species with limited distribution in the Styga's gorge. It is included in the Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece (1995) as Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN criteria.

3. Allium brussalisii

Allium brussalisii has a limited distribution in the Vouraikos Gorge and Mount Parnitha and Parnon.

4. Aquilegia ottonis subsp. ottonis

Subsp. ottonis has a main distribution in Chelmos and also appears in Giona and Parnassus (where its presence has not been confirmed recently). It has been listed as VU in the IUCN Red List according to the IUCN criteria.

5. Aurinia moreana

It is endemic to the Peloponnese, with distribution on the mountains Erymanthos, Ziria (Killini), Olygthoros, Panachaiko, Chelmos.

6. Biebersteinia orphanidis

It occurs in the mountains of Kyllini, Olyvthorio, Saita and Trachy. It also appears in the mountain range of Taurus and Central Turkey. It is included in the Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece (2009).

7. Campanula aizoides

Campanula aizoides is an endemic species of Greece. It is known only by Mount Chelmos and the White Mountains or Lefka Ori in Crete. It has been listed as VU according to the IUCN criteria. It is also protected by the Presidential Decree 67/1981.

8. Campanula asperuloides

It is an endemic species of Peloponnese, with known populations in Chelmos, Taygetus, Parnonas, Koulouchera and Evrostina. It has been listed as VU, according to the IUCN criteria.

9. Centaurea athoa subsp. chelmea

Centaurea athoa is endemic in Greece and includes the three subspecies: subsp. athoa, subsp. parnonia and subsp. chelmea. Subsp. chelmea was described in 2015 from the slopes of Ntourdouvana and is a local endemic of Chelmos.

10. Cicer graecum

It has a geographical distribution limited to the northern Peloponnese, in the wider area of the Chelmos and Killini. It has been classified as a VU, according to the IUCN criteria because of its rarity.