The specific vegetation of the crater site (Ramos-Lakki)
Vegetation in the crater site has been ravaged following the latest volcanic climax of 1873-1877.
Nowadays, vegetation in the area (of brushwood type) is grown on earth made up of caldera fill material, both clastic sediments, and silt currents containing fragments of altered basalts originating from hydrothermal explosions.
A specific feature of these brushwoods is their dwarf size; this can be attributed both to earth composition and to its high temperature, a result of the intense hydrothermal activity in the area. The dwarf – like species comprising vegetation of the specific area are the following:
- Briar (Erica manipuliflora)
- Rock rose (Cistus creticus και C. salviifolius)
- Thyme(Thymus capitatus)
Briar surprisingly pioneers in the reforestation of the crater area. The reforestation capability of this species has been also demonstrated in other similar cases where initial vegetation has been ravaged.
Several graminaceous and herbaceous plants grow among brushwoods. There are also sporadic appearances of single shrubs i.e. Calycotome villosa, gorse and glastroi.
