A complete and detailed profile has been obtained of 1,617 species and subspecies of plants from its mountains Epirus creating the country’s largest plant library as well as the basis for their utilization through systematic cultivation.

At the same time in University of Ioannina and the Department of Chemistry has state-of-the-art equipment in production mode that allows the continuous analysis of samples and the study of the substances of each plant.

These are just some of the results that came from the implementation of the strategic project BEST – Addressing joint Agro- and Aqua – Biodiversity pressures Enhancing SuSTainable Rural Development” of the Program “Interreg VA Greece-Italy 2014-2020” and through the cooperation of the Region of Epirus and the University of Ioannina.

Of the 7,911 species and subspecies of aromatic and medicinal plants in the country, 4,204 grow in Epirus and mainly in the mountains of the region, with Pindos taking the lead.

From the famous flower of Darwin to the mountain tea that may be inferior in appearance to that of Olympus but excels in aroma and beneficial substances.

The Darwin flower or dragon fruit is one of the first that… came down from the mountains and is the subject of experimental cultivations with the yield considered satisfactory.

The biodiversity of Epirus is an inexhaustible wealth that remains untapped. The geomorphology of the area is suitable for such crops, as most medicinal and aromatic plants do not have… great requirements neither for fertile soil nor for large amounts of water.

The complete mapping of this biodiversity is an important step for its exploitation. Utilization that can come through systematic cultivation that will have the same characteristics as the native ones.

Of course, a critical factor is to find the industry that will want and enter into such collaborations.

Source: epiruspost.gr