Vegetation and Flora

The forests in the Troodos National Forest Park are mostly natural, regenerated without human intervention. At lower elevations brutia pine (Pinus brutia) is the dominant tree species ascending up to 1200m and in warm, south - facing slopes, up to 1500m. A large number of smaller trees and shrubs occupy specific niches of the forest ecosystems that are created as a result of the combined effect of altitude, geology and moisture conditions. Along main riverbeds the dense vegetation is made up of oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), oriental alder (Alnus orientalis), laurel (Laurus nobilis), bramble (Rubus sanctus), myrtle (Myrtus communis), mint (Mentha longifolia), ivy (Hedera helix) etc, contributing considerably to landscape biodiversity and providing an ideal refuge to animal life. At lowest altitudes, wild olive (Olea europaea) reaches the 1000m, the strawberry tree (Arbutus andrachne), with its attractive colour changes throughout the year is encountered in the zone from 600 - 1500m, the sumach (Rhus coriaria) and the endemic golden oak (Quercus alnifolia) from 600 - 1650m. At higher altitudes, from 1200- 1500m up to Chionistra, the dominant forest species is black pine (Pinus nigra). Other hardy, woody species common to the area are, foetid juniper (Juniperus foetiditssima), wild service tree (Sorbus aria), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster racemiflorus), barbery (Berberis crerica), the endemic dwarf gorse (Genista sphacelata ssp. crudelis) etc. A considerable number of black pine trees as well as junipers in this zone, are century - old, often with an age exceeding 500 years - a few up to 1000 years. These trees are strictly protected for their high ecological and scientific value.

The total number of individual plant species recorded in the Troodos National Forest Park approaches 750. Among them, 72 are endemic to Cyprus, of which 12 are exclusive to the Park, that is, they can be found only in the Troodos National Forest Park and nowhere else in Cyprus or on the planet. Some of these plants have been named after Troodos like Alyssum troodi, Nepeta troodi, Scorzonea troodea, Rosa chionistreae etc. The Troodos National Forest Park constitutes the only, or the main habitat in Cyprus for many hardy plant species, such as the wild service tree, foetid juniper, cotoneaster, barberry etc. As a result of these characteristics, Troodos is considered as a botanical heaven and has been classified among the most important mountainous habitats of flora in Europe.