παρατηρησα ενα mastic tree σε αυτη τη περιοχη

At a time that living organisms are disappearing at an alarming rate, especially through habitat destruction, the Park for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna of the Technical University of Crete, which extends to 30 hectares, constitutes a small but important area where native plants and co-existing animals are protected and can develop without human intervention.

Please do not bring dogs to the Park. Also bicycles are not allowed in the area.

Provides information, telephone, first aid, entrance services

Provides WC, telephone, drinking water, first aid

In this section that hosts two artificial ponds, visitors have the opportunity to see many aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, but also trees and shrubs that characterize the riparian vegetation.

Aquatic plants (also called hydrophytes) require special adaptations for living submerged in water or on the water surface, such as: flat leaves and air sacs for floatation, smaller roots, thin cuticle and stomata remaining open most of the time. They can be divided in floating hydrophytes and rooting hydrophytes such Alisma plantago-aquatica (water-plantain), Sparganium erectum (bur-reed), and Nymphaea alba (white water lily).

Visitors can also see semi-aquatic plants (helophytes) such as Cyperus longus (galingale) and Schoenoplectus lacustris (common club-rush) and geophytes such as Typha domingensis (Southern cattail), Iris pseudacorus (yellow iris), and rushes (Juncus spp.).

In the surrounding area visitors can also see climbing plants and trees such as Hedera helix (common ivy), Nerium oleander (oleander), Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree) and Vitex agnus castus (chaste tree).

The wetland ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots, seriously threatened by human activities, therefore a great number of species hosted by them, both animal and vegetal, are classified as endangered or critically endangered.

This section hosts plant species that live in sandy and rocky coastal habitats.

Visitors have the opportunity to see samples of psammophilous plants, such as Ammophila arenaria, Achillea maritima, Eryngium maritimum and Medicago marina that have adapted in order to live in the first lines of coastal sand dunes (embryo and yellow dunes). Their extensive systems of creeping underground stems or rhizomes allow them to thrive under conditions of shifting sands and high winds.

Halophytes plants, such as Tamarix parviflora, have adapted in order to live in conditions of high salinity that characterizes seashores habitats. They can maintain a 'normal' internal salt concentration by excreting salts in excess through their leaves and stems or by concentrating salts in leaves that later die and drop off.

Xerophytes plants, such as Centaurea spinosa and Pancratium maritimum have also adapted in order to survive in a dry environment, by reducing their water loss or by storing water during long periods of drought.

During the different seasons visitors can observe many annual plants such as Cakile maritima, Salsola kali, Matthiola tricuspidata and Silene colorata. There are also species such as Crythmum maritimum, that grow predominantly in narrow cracks and fissures in rocks and species such as Juncus spp. and Limbarda crithmoides that grow predominantly in salt marshes.

Small trees and shrubs such as Juniperus oxycedrus var. macrocarpa and Limoniastrum monopetalum are also part of this section. Visitors have the opportunity to see endemic or rare species such as Androcymbium rechingeri, endemic to Crete, and Phoenix theophrastii, endemic to Crete and southwestern Turkey. Coastal ecosystems are of great naturalist interest, but they are also highly vulnerable and seriously threatened by human activities.

This section hosts aromatic and medicinal plant species which are used for flavoring, medicine, essential oils, beverage base and honey production. Their therapeutic, culinary, and cosmetic properties have been reported since ancient times.

Visitors have the opportunity to see and smell aromatic species such as “flavoring species” specifically referred to culinary herbs (or kitchen herbs), such as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), garlic (Allium sativum), onion (Allium cepa), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). Moreover, medicinal plants are grown in this section such as aloe vera (Aloe vera).

Medicinal features are present in different parts of the plants like root, stem, bark, leaf, flower, and fruit. Species, such as common levander (Lavandula angustifolia) and spearmint have been used for extraction of essential oils due to their concrete volatile substances.

Herbs and shrubs which are used for beverage base could also be observed by visitors, such as sweet majorana (Origanum majorana) and Cretan dittany (Origanum dictamnus).

Flowers of bush lavender (Lavandula stoechas), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), conehead thyme (Thymbra capitata) and sage (Salvia pomifera) attract bees resulting in honey production.

This section hosts plant species both from ancient Greek mythology and plant species, that have been reported by Theophrastus, Pliny and other ancient Greek or Roman authors.

Visitors have the opportunity to see many trees and shrubs, described by ancient authors in early botanical books, mentioned in myths and sacred to the gods. For instance, the cypress tree (Cupressus sempervirens) that is related to the myth of Cyparissus, a young boy loved by the god Apollo and transformed by him into a cypress tree.

Many other plants are mentioned in metamorphosis myths. The laurel (Laurus nobilis) transformation of the nymph Daphne, loved by the god Apollo, the stone pine (Pinus pinea) transformation of the nymph, Pitys, loved by Pan and the white poplar (Populus alba) transformation of the nymph Leuke, daughter of Oceanus, loved by Pluto.

Other species have more intricate stories with multiple versions. The almond tree (Prunus dulcis) related to the birth of Attis, the pomegranate (Punica granatum) related to the rape of Persephone, the apple tree (Malus domestica) related to the Judgment of Paris and the mulberry (Morus nigra) related to the death of Pyramus and Thisbe.

Some trees are reported in the ancient cult of Hamadryad nymphs such as oaks (Quercus spp.), mulberry, walnut (Juglans regia) and fig tree (Ficus communis). Many trees and shrubs instead, are sacred to gods such as the chastberry (Vitex agnus-castus), sacred to Hera and symbol of purity, oaks sacred to Zeus, the laurel sacred to Apollo and the myrtle (Mirtus communis), sacred to Venus.