On Troodos sharp slopes one can find a rare, carnivorous plant, exclusively part of the Cyprus flora. Pinguicula crystalline, a small plant with small, white flowers, is among the plants the feed themselves with creatures of the forest, reversing the rule that fauna consumes flora.

It is a strictly protected plant that uses its sticky, glandular leaves to attract and trap different kinds of insects. The insects are part of the plant’s diet, even though on a first glance, this flower is far from the image we may have for carnivorous plants in other, large forests of the planet.

The long living plant will only grow up to 15 cm tall and it usually blooms during the period March – October in Troodos, on humid and rocky areas or close to little streams, at 250 – 1930 meters above sea level. The sticky substance produced on its leaves to captivate and consume the insects, seems to be its secret “weapon”. The rare plant was spotted and photographed by the Cyprus from Air team at a recent trip.

Information: Cyprus Environmental Research and Education Center