The Ecological and Floristic Characteristics of Populations of Sideritis scardica Griseb. in Olympus Mts., Greece

Sideritis scardica Griseb. (Section Empedoclia, Lamiaceae) is a valuable medicinal perennial plant and a species of high conservation value. It is a Balkan endemic and it is distributed only in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia. The natural localities are threatened with extremely vulnerable populations. However, the species status in Greece is considered the most conserved. The current study provides information about the population state and structure, vegetation dynamics and the place of the species in habitats in Olympus Mts. Three localities (Karya, Kokkinopilos and Sparmos) of the species are investigated. Anthropogenic pressure is recorded in all three localities – flowering stems of most plants were harvested by the end of August. The localities near Karya and Sparmos are easily accessible due to well-developed road network. A list of diversity of vascular plants is made for each locality. The taxonomic structure of the flora and the ecological and biological characteristics are defined. The main geographical elements are those with Mediterranean origin.