PANCRATIUM MARITIMUM

This member of the Amaryllidaceae family was described by Carl von Linaeus in 1753. It is found all around the Mediterranean, growing in sand in costal areas with some water in the spring, but none in summer and lots of sun. The bulbs grows to four centimetres in diameter, the plant to 45 centimetres height. The flowers are white. Pancratium maritimum: A much-loved decorative motif of Minoan art. Pancratium: From the Greek pankratos, meaning 'strength'. " maritimum " means 'from costal areas indeed'. Well, I found it way up in the mountains on Gran Canaria. Photo by Panos & Stavros. The flowers close up from Gran Canaria, more below.. The flowers. A single plant, growing in a narrow crack. I found the plants on Gran Canaria. Some dormant, some in the start of the growing season, some flowering and this one with fruits. Early in the growing season. A single plant. I found the plants on Gran Canaria. This is a colony in a huge ravine. Sardinian plant with many fruits.