Calystegia soldanella

Sea bindweed Περικοκλάδι

Convolvulaceae - bindweed family Dicot.

This bindweed has adaptations which allow it to survive the special conditions of beach life. It grows in the sand at the just above the high water line. On Milia beach, the dark green shiny leaves and pink, stripy flowers it can be found scrambling amongst the pistachia bushes.

The flowers are formed from the fusion of 5 petals, creating a flared-out funnel, typical of the bindweeds. The leaves are semi-succulent and round, encircling the stem; they are thought to resemble coins.

✿↕3.5-4.5cm,

30-80cm, W JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Calystegia from calys - cup (κύλι) + stegos - roof or covering (στέγος)

+ solda - a roman coin

Calystegia soldanella

- an important species

Calystegia soldanela has been described as an important species along with Pancratium Maritimum. It has a wide distribution, along the coasts in temperate zones, in both northern and southern hemispheres. Although not rare in the Mediterranean, its numbers are declining due to loss of its special habitat, the sandy shore 1, which is increasingly being covered by concrete and buildings.