Dittany of crete flowers.

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 Known locally as ???ta�? Diktamo it is also used as anantiseptic and disinfectant for healing wounds, chewed to heal mouth and throat ailments and steeped in Tsikoudia (Raki) alcohol to form a tonic or tincture.  

 Dittany of Crete is also said to be an aphrodisiac. The very word aphrodisiac comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty, love and sensual pleasure. She herself reputedly used Dittany of Crete for itshealing and therapeutic properties.

Dittany of Crete, The lure of the mythical and magical Dittany of Crete has enthralled and mystified for centuries. Hippocrates, Aristotle and Theophrastus all extolled the virtues of the �miracle cure� plant in various ancient writings.

It is endemic only to Crete and has many myths and legends attached to it. Dittany of Crete is said to have been given to Crete by the mighty Greek god Zeus and was used by the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite.

Dittany of Crete is a healing, therapeutic and aromatic plant that only grows wild on the mountainsides and gorges of the Greek island of Crete. It has been used as �miracle cure�for a variety of ailments, as an aphrodisiac and as a beauty aid.

1. Origanum dictamnus, known in Greek as ???ta�? (Diktamo) is a perennial aromatic plant that grows wild only on the Greek Island of Crete. It is known by a variety of names including Dictamnus Creticus, Dittany of Crete, Dittany, Diktamo, Eronda and Cretan Dittany. It grows in the famous Gorge of Samaria and other smaller gorges in the White Mountains as well as in the other mountain ranges of Crete including Mount Dikti. Origanum Dictamnus is a many branched plant with discoid to ovate grey-green leaves that are sited in pairs opposite each other. The slender arching stems and lanate leaves are covered in a velvety white down and are 13-25 mm in sizeThe flowers are pale pink to purple and have a deep lilac corolla with many deep pink coloured overlapping bracts. The colourful flowers forming a cascade of elongated clusters are in bloom in the summer months. The flowers are hermaphrodite meaning they have both male and female organs and are pollinated by bees attracted to their scent and bright colour. Dittany of Crete with its rich herbal scent is perhaps one of the rarest herbs in the world. Yet it has been used by generations of Cretans as somewhat a panacea for all ailments. The Cretans drink it as a Cretan tea, infusion or tisane as part of their famous and extremely healthy, long life giving Cretan Diet.

White cactus flowers images.

White cactus flowers images. Cactus plants are native to the Americas and grow throughout the western and southwestern United States, as far north as Utah and Idaho. The plant has adapted to survive in rough, inhospitable terrain with poor soil and little water and is leafless, with swollen stems and spines. Over 2,000 species exist. All of them produce blossoms and fruit, but only two--saguaro and organ pipe cactus--produce white flowers. Cacti make attractive (if thorny) landscape plants in warm, dry climates and provide habitats and food for birds and wildlife. Grow miniature varieties as house plants.

Heather flowers pictures information.

Heather (Calluna vulgaris) Scotch Heather/Ling Heather, is an evergreen branching shrub. Heather flowers bloom in late summer. Wild species of Heather flowers are usually in purple or mauve shades. The flower's various cultivars come in colors ranging from white, through pink, a wide range of purples and reds. Different varieties of Heather flowers bloom from late July to November in the northern hemisphere. The flowers may turn brown but still remain on the plants over winter, and this can lead to interesting effects.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Ericales

Family

Ericaceae

Genus

Calluna

Heathers are found throughout Western Europe and in some parts of northeastern North America and Siberia. Heather varieties are widely cultivated in rock gardens for cut flower arrangement. A low mound of handsome greenery topped by multiple spikes of colored flowers; Heathers are native to Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, Russia, and northern North America. The Heather plant is one of the primary plant species grown on the poor, acid, sandy soils which is typical of heaths.

In Heather flowers, the corolla is showy in true heaths, and in the Erica genus, heathers have showy pink or rarely, white sepals that overlap the corolla. There are two types of Winter Heather plants. The lower, winter spreading types are grown as ground covers, in rockeries, containers or for spot color in flower and shrub beds. While the upright winter varieties are best suited for borders, spot color, massing or as container plants. The flowers of both types are ideal for small winter arrangements.