The Pontic Alps

Northeastern Turkey

A Greentours Natural History Holiday

23rd July to 7th August 1996

Leaders: Owen Mountford and Ian Green

July 23rd Arrival

We left Heathrow on a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul and had a short wait in Istanbul before getting our connecting flight to Trabzon where we were duly met by Mustafa, our driver, and Mehmet our cook. After a brief wait for our baggage we were rapidly ferried to our hotel in the centre of time and then straight to sleep.

July 24th Sumela Monastery

Due to a certain worldwide delivery services ineptitude, I spent the day in Trabzon, trying to sort out the 'tent problem'. Owen took the group up to Sumela Monastery to get their first experience of the northern slopes of the Pontic Alps and the Euxine Forests. The morning was spent walking up the path to the Monastery which is spectacularly perched above the forest at the base of a cliff. The forest here has some fine examples of Abies nordmanniana and Picea orientalis with an understory of the local Ivy, Hedera colchica , the Bladdernut, Staphylea pinnata , and both Rhododendron luteum and R. ponticum . There were some extremely large snails in the forest litter by the damp mossy path. Campanulas were abundant. The white flowered often semi-prostrate C. betulifolia was noted, replacing the C. alliarifolia , a more upright plant of the lower slopes. Among the many blue species, the large C. lactiflora was frequent. Mervyn made a couple of interesting Umbellifer finds. Seseli petraeum was noted in rocks below the monastery and Ligusticum alatum was also found. Green Warblers could be heard calling frequently in the forest here. Lunch was taken in the cafe back down by the river, and was, by all accounts, an undistinguished affair! The weather had also worsened, as it typically does by lunchtime in these forests, with a steady drizzle falling - a frequent occurence after midday. The afternoon was spent walking up the track beyond the cafe, along the course of the river where Dippers were noted on several occasions. Paris incompleta , a close relative of our own Herb Paris, was found growing under thick forest, and the beautiful Geranium Psilostemon was seen in flower. Butterflies were few, the weather obviously not helping, but Nigel did photograph Polyommatus corydonius , a species resembling our own Chalkhill Blue, as well as Scotch Argus.

July 25th The Zigana Pass

After breakfast we headed back up the main Macka road, but this time continued straight on up the Zigana Pass. At only about 1800m this is the lowest pass in the eastern Pontics and the Turks have built a big wide road which is surprisingly fast up to the tunnel which links Trabzon to Anatolia. Our first stop was for Mervyn's first Umbel of the day - Seseli resinosum . Crag Martin's were hawking overhead and we spotted a distant Lilium species on the far bank of the valley. Unfortunately it was not accessable, and nor was it in flower, so we were unable to confirm whether this could have been L. monadelphum var. armenum which has been seen by others on this pass. Our next stop was at a lovely little side valley at 1270 where we wandered along a track noting lots of Digitalis ferruginea , all of the small-flowered subspecies schistkinii . The mixed forest and lush meadows here proved a rich hunting ground. We found a number of Orchids, mostly Dactylorhiza urvilleana , although some of the specimens here approached D. nieschalkiorum , a species which does not reach this far east along the northern Turkish mountains. A Goshawk was calling frequently from the forest and circled round briefly before disappearing in the direction of the pass. There was little in the way of butterflies, only the odd Painted Lady and several beautiful specimens of Scotch Argus. A meadow down by the stream was a blaze of colour. Several different Campanulas were in flower, including some fine specimens of the widespread C. lactiflora . A few large branched specimens of Aconitum orientale with pale pink and white flowers were also seen. The rain that had been threatening for the last half an hour finally came down so we beat a hasty retreat and headed for the south side of the pass in the hope that the weather would be better. It was, although we did get the occasional bit of rain in the afternoon, but at least it was nice to see a bit of sun! Out lunch time stop at some 1500m, not far below the tunnel entrance was excellent. Several butterflies put in an appearance, the most welcome of which was a superb, recently emerged, Apollo, sitting resplendently on the trackside, and briefly, on Brian! Bath White and Lesser Spotted Fritillary were both found here. The were several good Umbellifers ( Bifora radians , Peucedanum longifolium , Hippomarathrum microcarpum , Scaligeria tripartita and Physospermum cornubiense ) on the slopes which here consisted of mixed screes, scrub and Abies nordmanniana forest. There were several good plant finds including Delphinium schmallhausenii , Helleborus orientalis and Paeonia mascula subsp arietina , the latter two not in flower. Two species of pear were growing on the slopes, Pyrus communis subsp caucasica and P. eleagnifolia subsp. kotschyana , and a Whitebeam, Sorbus kuznetzovii . Birdwise, Robin and Rock Nuthatch were the highlights!

July 26th Journey to Ayder

After some delay in a plastic boat and lilo shop, and then the Russian Bazaar in Trabzon we embarked on the journey along the Black Sea coast to Ayder. A lunchtime stop for some fresh trout south of Camlihemsin was a pleasant break, and we had a quick wander across the road where Short-tailed Blue and Speckled Wood were found and there was a fine display of ferns including Pteris cretica . From Camlihemsin the road rose steeply through the Euxine forest. We stopped to admire the scenery and noted a few local plants. The Oriental Beech with its silvery trunk, stood out very well amid the Pinus orientalis and Abies nordmanniana forest, while the roadside had Carpinus orientalis and Box in abundance. A strange borage here was later identified as Cynoglossum glochidiatum , a rather atypical Houndstongue that is not native to the region but has been naturalised from its cultivation - why it is cultivated we have no idea! We continued until we reached the village of Ayder which was to be out base for the next two nights. The clouds were very low and as we set of for some late afternoon exploration it came down around us shrouding the landscape in fog. We wandered up the main village track through meadows where Dactylorhiza urvilleana and the beautiful Geranium ptilostemon were both seen. Our familiar Pimpinella saxifraga and Prunella vulgaris were both frequent here. We passed a beautiful waterfall which was unfortunately shrouded in thick cloud, and in one of the roadside gullies found a very unusual St John's Wort with perfoliate leaves - this was Hypericum bupleuroides . Walking back into the village we stopped for a drink at a bar whic, if it had not been for the thick fog, would have had a beautiful view over the forested valley below. Several Green Warblers were noted in the trees here.

July 27th Walk from above Ayder to near Yukari Kavron

This morning was a test for Mustafa as he drove the minibus up a particularly fearsome track above Ayder. Eventually he could take us no further and wisely decided to park the minibus up below a fine montane meadow. We wandered on up through this meadow pausing frequently as we went. The Scotch Argus type Erebia was seen frequently although there was not a great variety of other butterflies here, although Comma was noted. The Stagshorn Clubmoss was seen growing amid Gentiana cruciata and Pyrola rotundifolia , quite a beautiful combination. As we entered the main forest zone we found a very different vegetation. Rhododendron luteum was frequent and must have been a wonderful sight in flower as must the Epigaea gaultherioides which was not uncommon on the forest floor. Other interesting species noted in here were Pyrola minor (a significant extension of its previous known range), Oak Fern, Actaea spicata , Vaccinium arctostaphylos and the Fir Clubmoss, Huperzia selago . There was little in the way for butterflies or other insects to be seen as by now the fog and cloud was rising through the forest, and birds were not much in evidence, except for Green Warblers which were quite common. Some fungi were in evidence including a Russula and a lovely Pholiota , looking very like the UK. species - Pholiota squarrosa . An open meadow area was noteworthy for our first sighting of Lilium ciliatum , a species which we never found in flower - here's to the next visit in late June! A series of particularly productive gullies just below the tree-line slowed us enough to demand a lunch stop! The rare 'Marsh Asphodel', Narthecium balansae was found in one with some other exceptionally beautiful species such as Aconitum orientale , Aster caucasicus , Cicerbita bourgiae , Dactylorhiza urvilleana and Grass of Parnassus. The lunchtime gully had our first sighting of the magnificent Stachys macrantha with its large heads of brilliant pink-red flowers, the large flowered orange poppy, Papaver lateritium , several Campanulas including C. olympica , the elephant-flower, Rhyncocorys elephas and a couple of Vaccinium species. A surprise was a single flowering spike of Fragrant Orchid. From here we walked along a contour path passing through steeply sloping meadows with scattered dwarfed trees and several large boggy areas. These proved very productive with plenty of the common Dactylorchid and just one plant of Dactylorhiza euxina . This had unspotted leaves marking it out as subspecies markowitschii . The steel-blue Swertia iberica was frequent and the strong pink spikes of Persicaria bistorta subspecies carnea made a startling contrast with various Carex species ( C. echinata and C. ovalis ) making up the bogs. Soon after, we reached the village of Asagi Kavron which, to our delight, had a tea-tent on the roadside. We spent a pleasant half an hour drinking tea and chatting about flowers with a couple of rather ancient locals before continuing upwards towards the village Yukari Kavron, the last before the main Kackar peak. Marsh Warblers and Scarlet Rosefinches were noted here. At about 2100m we stopped and searched the rich turf by the track. This turf was dominated by Alchemilla species and Sibbaldia parviflora , but amongst it were several little gems. We soon found the shining gold cup of Crocus scharojonii and then the intense pink of Scutellaria pontica , one of which had a stunning gold-winged Burnet moth sitting on it. Gentiana pyrenaica , Gentianella caucasica and the Alpine Clubmoss, Diphasiastrum alpinum , were just some of the beautiful alpines found here. Eventually we forced Brian and Nigel to allow us to turn round and start the long journey back down to Ayder!

July 28th Drive to Yusufeli

We drove back down to the Black Sea coast and headed eastwards to Hopa, just 15 kilometres from the Georgian border, before turning inland and crossing a pass and then descending to the Coruh valley at Borcka. A couple of Buzzards marked our progress as we followed the river upstream. Before reaching Artvin we passed through a small area enclave of Mediterranean vegetation with Pinus pinea growing on the hillsides - an attempted stop here was foiled by the close proximity of a military post. We did eventually stop some 10km south of Artvin. There were a number of butterflies here including False Grayling, Scarce Swallowtail, Swallowtail and a number of Blues. Adonis Blue and Short-tailed Blue were noted along with the diminutive and beautifully marked Little Tiger Blue. A spectacular Preying Mantis felt the full force of Brian's lens which was at last out in earnest! Mervyn was also having more luck with the Umbelliferae here with Peucedanum palimboides , Pimpinella tragium subspecies lithopylla and the Coruh endemic, Seseli andronakii , all found. We stopped for lunch at a roadside restaurant and then continued on to Yusufeli, where we installed ourselves at Greenpeace camping before spending the evening in a gully opposite a Georgian castle perched high on a cliff. By now we had stopped the foggy and damp northern slopes for a hot semi-arid environment. Growing in the open ground was Bupleurum schistosum and an assortment of spiny shrubs including Zizyphus and the locally dominent Christ's Thorn, Paliurus spina -christii . This latter is the food plant of Little Tiger Blue, a species which was common here, as was the even more diminutive Grass Jewel. A Whip Snake of some sort was found and photographed and a number of Dragonflies were found along the small stream at the bottom of the gully. Among the more unusual plants here was the elegant Morina persica , by now in seed, and growing on rocks by a waterfall was Campanula troegerae , also in fruit. This location is may even be the locus classicus for this rarely recorded species. In the evening we went into 'town' and had an excellent meal in Sirali's brother's restaurant overlooking the river.

July 29th Journey to Yaylarlar

Pre-breakfast found Brian photographing Coneheads and Nigel looking at Lesser Fiery Copper. We spent the rest of the day covering the sixty kilometres of track to the high altitude village of Yaylarlar. We made our first stop some 10km north of Yusufeli. This was the start of butterfly heaven and while not quite up to the standards set between Yaylarlar and Olgunlar, it was pretty good! At this spot the shimmering bright orange of Fiery Copper was prominent, and the local speciality, Chazara bischoffi , a large Grayling type with pinky-orange markings, was laos found. There was also Hungarian Sailor - apparently a first record for this area, lots of Little Tiger Blues, Swallowtail, Scarce Swallowtail, Clouded Yellow, Cleopatra, Amanda's Blue, False Grayling and a number of Skippers. This was also a very good spot for dragonflies and damselflies. The next stop was by a waterfall and stream above Sarigol. The very damp cliffs had an abundance of ferns including Maidenhair, Cystopteris fragilis and Wall-rue. Another rock-dwelling Campanula was seen in fruit here - C. seraglio . This spot was probably the locus classicus for this species as well! Initially this spot didn't seem too good for butterflies, but entering a little meadow of Lucerne soon changed that impression. Along with many of the species mentioned for the previous stop we also found Meleager's Blue, Eastern Wood White, Spotted Fritillary and an unusual-looking Lasiommata species. Some of the more unusual Lycaenidae found here include two species of Copper not in the European Fieldguides - namely, Lycaena asabinus and L. orchimus , as well as a butterfly which was strongly reminiscent of Large Blue, but was in fact, Polyommatus aedon . Jersey Tiger Moths were present in some numbers and there were plenty of iridescent green beetles. Hummingbird Hawkmoth was noted. We stopped for lunch at Barhal, where our cook had to go into the teahouse kitchen and help prepare the omelettes! We also ordered a late breakfast at Mrs Seher's for our return journey. We took a brief wander up the track towards Altiparmak, unfortunately time didn't allow us to give this area full justice. More Coneheads were found by Brian amongst a goodly number of other grasshoppers and crickets. A Purple- edged Copper, a Blue-spot Hairstreak and a single Sooty Copper were new finds, but the butterfly prizes here went to a Silver-washed Fritillary and a superb Large Totoiseshell which was sunning itself on a pylon. We continued on to Yaylarlar and settled into Ismail Altunay's pensiyon before taking a walk back down the valley while Mehmet prepared our evening meal. This proved the best spot so far for Orthoptera with a good range of species - Brian was out at dawn the next morning! Yaylarlar is at around 1900m in altitude and not far off the treeline so the plant communities had again changed considerably. Of particular note on the dry south-facing slopes below the village were Centaurea carduiformis subspecies orientalis ; a delicate campion - Silene spergulifolia , seed capsules of Muscari coeleste , and a beautiful pink Sainfoin. This proved to be Onobrychis lazistanica - the 10-14 pairs of leaflets are many more than any similar species - and according to the Turkish Flora was only previously known from the type specimen collected many years ago in the same general region.

July 30th Walk to Dilber Duzu

After breakfast on the balcony we set off up the long path to Dilber Duzu, accompanied by four mules with all our luggage (pity the one with the Turkish flora!) and Idris Altunay, one of the quartet of brothers who seem to run things around Yaylarlar. It was a warm sunny day and the butterflies were out in force. Huge numbers of them were mud-puddling along damp areas of track. Prominent among them were the Blues. Chelmos and Damon Blues with their distinctive white-stripe on the underside of the hindwing, were common, as were Common Blues, Silver-studded Blues, Amanda's Blues and a couple of real beauties; the large Meleager's Blue with scalloped hindwings and very distinct black spots outlined strongly in white on the underside of the forewing, and the very bright Pontic Blue. Fritillaries were also frequently seen. Dark Green, High Brown and Niobe among the larger ones and Spotted among the smaller. Wood Whites and various Erebias were also very common. Above Olgunlar the small hillside terraces were alive with both butterflies and grasshoppers. Just walking through them was filled with the sound of Orthoptera . Fritillaries were very common here, especially the Dark Green's which were always in sight, although not always easy to get close enough to to photograph! These meadows had a beautiful and varied flora with several Campanulas prominent, notably the familiar C. glomerata and C. stevenii with C. lactiflora along the stream. Bright orange Papaver lateritium was frequent as was two very different looking forms of Asyneuma amplexicaule - var. amplexicaule and var. angustifolium . The streamsides below were swathed in some fine flowers of Dactylorhiza urvilleana . An immature Rock Thrush, several Black Redstarts and Water Pipits and a male Ortolan Bunting were also here. Further along we came across our first snow. This had an interesting snowmelt community with the lovely sky blue Scilla winogradowii and the large white stars of Ornithogalum weidemannii prominent. After a picnic at the highest yayla in these mountains we wandered on upwards, still in hot sunshine. Initially we passed through a bed of the fruit and leaves of Colchicum szovitsii , before reaching a side valley where the ground became quite marshy. Here we found some delightful flowers. Gentiana cruciata was in magnificent flower with a few G. pyrenaica , while streamsides had the pink 'Lady's Smock' Cardamine raphanifolia and Persicaria bistorta subspecies carnea . Owen found some Frog Orchids and there was a single flower of Dactylohiza euxina . A large snowpatch provided some wonderful flowers. The species mentioned for the last snowy area were present along with the beautiful dark red-brown and green flowered Nonea pulmonaroides , a Gagea , and above the snow several louseworts including Pedicularis caucasica , P. pontica and two large yellow species, P. condensata and P. comosa . Some nearby screes found us admiring the silvery foliage of Cynoglossum holosericum . It had little purple flowers, which was of great interest because the this is an extremely rare plant and according to the Turkish flora is only known from the original type specimen and the flowers are (were!) unknown. Of course, someone may have found it in between times! By now thoughts of getting to the campsite and some tea and rest were becoming paramount so the last couple of kilometres were covered rather than looked at. As we crested the rise into Dilber Duzu meadow we were greeted by the sight of the Prophet Flower - Arnebia pulchra ; its bright yellow flowers, with fine rufous dots inside, mixing wonderfully with the pink-red of Stachys macrantha . Various shades of blue were prominent with Campanula aucheri the chief provider, while the most delicate pink and white flowers of a Geranium added yet more contrast. This latter was the amazingly named Geranium cinereum subspecies subcaulescens variety lazicum ! After a tea and various camp chores such as putting the tents up, we settled down to Mehmet's evening meal, only to rudely interrupted by a short-lived but spectacular storm which forced a certain amount of hydro-enginerring around some of the tents!

July 31st Dilber Duzu

We spent the whole day around the general campsite area exploring the screes, cliff-bases and the approaches to the main peak high above. In the early morning I wandered up the screes finding leaves of Corydalis alpina , some putative (see systematic list) bear dung, more Cynoglossum holosericum , and up by the cliffs, Alpine Chough, Red-fronted Serin, the large white bells of Campanula troegerae (ranking with the Cynoglossum for rarity) and a variety of other chasmophytes. After breakfast we walked slowly up the slopes towards Deniz Golu. The flora up here was extremely rich. Just some of the fine plants of show were; Pedicularis nordmanianna of a fine shining red, several Minuartias , the large white-flowered Cerastium purpurascens , Hypericum venustum , Geranium collinum and G. ibericum , the brilliant orange flowers of Geum coccineum , a whole gamut of Senecios , many of them with beautiful large flowers, and a whole range of Centaureas . Among several large blue-flowered species there was a gorgeous pale cream flowered species with elegant silvery foliage - this was Centaurea appendicigera . Ferns were much in evidence with some fine specimens of the Alpine Lady Fern and Holly Fern. In crevices we found Parsley Fern and Cysopteris fragilis , while stream courses and damp areas held Dryopteris abbreviata . There were fewer grasshoppers and butterflies up here as we were now up around 3000m in altitude. Among the butterflies, once the sun had warmed things a little, we started to find Fritillaries among the ubiquitous Painted Ladies. These were mostly Boloria caucasica , a species rather similar to the European Mountain Fritillary. After lunch back at the camp we all wanderd off in different direction in the afternoon. Owen and I explored the screes and cliffs to the north of the camp, while Brian and Nigel spent their afternoon on the meadow just below the camp which were very rich in both butterflies and Orthoptera. See systematic list for some of the wondrous plants we saw! Suffice it to say that Owen came back having found only the third location known in Turkey for the delicate little fern, Woodsia alpina . In the evening we met some young Polish people who were camping at Dilber Duzu. They had very little food with them (quite why, we weren't sure) so we spent the next two days feeding them!

August 1st Deniz Golu

In the morning we walked up the steep slope behind the campsite to the gorgeous Deniz Golu, a lake situated at some 3300m, with the scene a mixture of black rocks, pure white snow, deep blue water and a shining blue sky. We did not tarry much on the way up, just stopping now and then to not some fine alpine plants. These included plenty of Gentiana verna subspecies pontica of an intense blue, the lovely pale pink flowers of Aethionema oppositifolium and the unusual azure flowers of Corydalis alpina . Around the edges of the lake we found few grasshoppers or butterflies. The long-awaited Gavarnie Blue was eventually located and we had brief views of a Pierid which appeared very close to Peak White. Painted Ladies were of course there in abundance! The flowers around the lake fringes were exceptional, with some gorgeous Primula longipes in rather elegant dwarf form, with tight spherical heads of pinky-mauve flowers about 4 inches in diameter and mealy leaf rosettes. Three other species of Primula were here. The tall many- flowered heads of Primula auriculata were much commoner lower down, but the rather similar-looking dwarf P. algida was very common. Perhaps the most beautiful of all however, was the regal pruple flowers of Primula elatior subspecies meyeri , yes, a purple Oxlip! Blue Gentiana pyrenaica , white Cerastiums , bright yellow Ranunculus dissectus and brilliant red Pedicularis nordmanniana made a wonderful tight group for that ultimate floral photograph. An unusual stemless thistle was found which had very large seed heads - this was Jurinella moschus var pinnatisecta . An adult Lammergeier flew around the ridges above the lake, but there were few birds up here apart from the odd Alpine Accentor. Mehmet the cook joined us for a while to take photographs of the superb scenery around us. By lunchtime it was getting very hot and at this altitude the sun extremely intense. After lunch Owen and I ventured up the steep scree pass to the nameless lake. On the ridge, and up the slopes of the southern peak, between 3400 and 3550m we explored the screes and rocks while admiring the fine view of the two lakes and Kackar Tepe, all 3900 metres of it! The lovely dwarfed Delphinium linearifolium was common on the screes, mixed in places with Potentilla crantzii var ternata and Lallemantia canescens . An odd Scutellaria was found which was probably an unusual colour variant of S. pontica . The nameless lake had a fine display of the delicate little Veronica telephiifolia , along with lots of Carex atrata and various Gentiana and Pedicularis species. Coming back down the scree slopes we noted two Wallcreepers. In the evening we met up with the Polish group again who had been to the top of the Kackar Tepe, notwithstanding Anya's bad foot! They had brought down a few specimens of plants growing near the top - these being the Veronica mentioned above, the ubiquitous Saxifraga sibirica and the tight mats of Draba polytricha .

August 2nd Dilber Duzu

After the exersions of yesterday we spent the whole day relaxing (some more than others!) in the meadows immediately below the campsite. Butterflies were out in force with the large banks of the stately Inula orientalis, with its 10cm diameter yellow flowers, proving particularly attractive. Fritillaries were especially prominent with Dark Green, Queen of Spain and plenty of the Boloria caucasica . The occasional Russian Heath and a couple of small colonies of a Large Heath-like species, Coenonympha symphyta , were very welcome and there was also a selection of Blues and Coppers. An area of scree across the river held a very large mixed population of Fragrant and Frog Orchids, although none of the hoped for Paeony. A little ravine with a sheltered north-facing slope, had a small population of Rhododendron caucasicum , and in the midst of this we found a single spike of the Yellow Globe Orchid, Traunsteinera sphaerica . Unfortunately, the last couple of flowers on it were already going over! Lunch appeared, courtesy of Mustafa, at around 1 o'clock, and we sat above the little ravine and tucked into one of Mehmet's finest creations, some stuffed peppers. Mustafa brought news of the Czech group who had gone up the main peak the day before. Apparently one had broken his leg just a hundred metres below the summit, and had spent the night with his friends at 3500m. This would explain the two rapidly moving Czech's seen going downhill from the campsite earlier - they were going down to seek help. The afternoon was spent largely in the same area, Brian quartering the slopes, assiduously seeking out the Orthoptera , and then steadily manouvering them into photographable positions! I explored an area on the south side of the valley. A large damp area at about 2800m had extensive colonies of Fragrant and Frog Orchids, and in one spot I found Oxytropis albana and while photographing this noticed a single Moonwort growing in the turf! The late afternoon found us back at the tents a little early as the weather closed in, however Brian didn't quite beat the heavy shower! As the rain eased we watched Alpine Accentor, Black Redstart, Water Pipit and Crimson-winged Finch, all feeding in the turf around the tents. The evening saw the rescue party arrive from the village along with the two exhausted Czechs. We fed and watered some of the participants who then continued on up the mountain in rapidly deteriorating light and weather. The most exhausted of the Czechs tried to follow the rest but could barely stagger so we were somewhat disturbed to see him suddenly veer of up a steep and very unstable scree slope just as the light was failing. To our relief, although I'm sure not his, he appeared back at the campsite in a sorry state at about 10.00pm so we cleared one of the tents and gave him some blankets for the night.

August 3rd Descent to Yusufeli

A dawn rise, so as to pack up for our meeting with Idris and his horses at 7.00 am. It was a very beautiful morning with swiriling mists and in between bright sunlight lighting up the cliffs above with a golden glow. The atmospheric curlew-like call of the Caspian Snowcock could be heard all morning, but it was still a real surprise when one was seen flying along the top of the cliffs by the camp. On the way down we came across a Turkish televison crew who were there to film anything about the rescue which was still going on on the mountain above us. They collared Mehmet, who, not totally unwillingly, gave them an account of events so far, and in particular, a harangue against the Turkish army and police who were still no where in sight. As we came down to Olgunlar we came across some of both the forces mentioned who stopped us and questioned us. As we conitnued on down I was left wondering what they would have said to Mehmet if they had known what he was saying to the television crew back up the mountain! Brian and Nigel had started down earlier to get a chance to photograph some of the butterflies and Orthoptera down near the yayla of Olgunlar. The stretch of track between Olgunlar and Yaylarlar was even more spectacular than on the way up for the sheer numbers of butterflies mud-puddling. Great clouds flew up from the damp sections as we walked by, with a great proportion of them being blues. Nigel found an excellent Scarce Copper, a species we saw two or three more of during the day, and we also noted Powdered Brimstone as new. After a brief pause for drinks and unloading in Yaylarlar we said goodbye to the Altunay family and rejoined the minibus for the journey down to Yusufeli. The first kilometre or so out of Yaylarlar proved equally as good for butterflies, with a Camberwell Beauty rapidly flying off over the river before we found another which proved a little more amenable to being photographed. A Swallowtail at this same spot sat among a crowd of blues! Other species noted here included Silver-studded and Idas Blues, Asian Grey Grayling, Olive, Sandy Grizzled, Red-orbed and Silver-spotted Skippers. We stopped for a late lunch with Mrs Seher in Barhal before continuing on down to Yusufeli and meeting up with Mervyn again. He had had a relaxing time staying in Sirali's hotel, and had spent some time visiting the villages of Sarigol, Ogden and Olur. New Umbellifers found in these locations included Ferula szowitsiana , Pimpinella affinis , Turgeniopsis ferulacea , Peucedanum meyeri , Falcaria vulgare , Cnidium silaifolium , Prangos pabularia and Fuernohira tenuisecta . Later that night we heard that the injured Czech was now in Yusufeli and was in fairly good health!

August 4th Savsat and the Cam Gecidi

Once again we made an early start so as to get to the Savsat area as early as possible. We made a brief stop in the gorge just up the Savsat road from Artvin where Mervyn found Seseli andronakii and more Bupleurum schistosum . There was a lovely patch of the yellow-flowered Scutellaria orientalis subsp sosnowskyi here and a little further up the road we found Linaria genistifolia subsp. artvinensis , a subspecies which looks very unlike other subspecies in this polymorphic taxon. After stopping for supplies and some tea in Savsat we headed up into the unusual forests and meadows at the western foot of the Cam Gecidi, a landscape more akin to subalpine central Europe. We stopped by the roadside some 10 km east of the town, ostensibly just to have a picnic. The flora here was markedly different from anything we had previously seen. In some uncut meadows just below the forest we found a tremendous number of the tall flowering spikes of Lilium kesselringianum , sadly either in seed or only just finished flowering. Other rather special plants growing here included Gentiana olivierii , the stunning orange-flowered Rhyncocorys orientalis , the large red flowers of Lathyrus tukhtensis and more Dactylorhiza urvilleana . The picnic spot was under a shady tree in the middle of a freshly cut meadow with a fine view up towards Georgia to the north. The farmers were out in force hand-scything the wonderfully rich grasslands. Several damp marshy areas just below this meadow held a fascinating flora combining species groups from the Euxine element and from the Euro-Siberian elements amongst others. Blysmus compressus , various Carex and Juncus species, Eleocharis quinqueflora and E. palustris , and both Triglochin palustris and T. maritima were present. There were several species of Orchid present, the only one in flower was the very distinctive Dactylorhiza iberica . Dactylorhiza umbrosa , Orchis coriophora and what was almost certainly Epipactis veratrifolia - the Eastern Marsh Helleborine - were all noted. A real shock in the birdwatching department was the discovery of a new breeding species of bird for Turkey. A Corncrake was flushed and then we found at least one young, unfledged chick - the movements in the grass suggested there were more present, but a grinning local farmer and his pitchfork, made me hesitant of trying to find more there. The same farmer indicated that there were quite a few in the area, and there was certainly a reasonable amount of suitable habitat. Other birds here included a couple of Buzzards and several Red-backed Shrikes. Mervyn found what was probably Peucedanum caucasicum along the roadside. We moved on towards the base of the pass to check on a location for a campsite which was duly completed before we headed up to the thick forests at around 1900m. Here the forests were mature with virtually no ground cover. The trees were largely Pinus orientalis and Abies nordmanniana . Many of the species growing under these trees are saprophytic and also familiar to west European botanists, at least by reputation. After a worrying search we eventually found Ghost Orchid. In the end we must have found nearly a hundred, including one group of 22 and several very fine, and quite colourful, specimens. With these were plenty of Yellow Bird's Nest, Bird's Nest Orchid and in a few patches, Creeping Ladies Tresses and Coralroot Orchid, sadly not in flower. Two other rather nice species here included Epipactis persica and Orthilia secunda . There was not much in the way of birdlife in here apart from Goldcrests, but the skies above held a pair of Golden Eagles, Sparrowhawk and another Aquila Eagle which was probably a Lesser Spotted Eagle. We retired to the campsite for the evening where some light rain came in just as we had completed putting up the tents, causing us to abandon the plan of cooking in the campsite, and descend the couple of hundred metres to the restaurant for trout and salad.

August 5th Cam Gecidi to near Cilder

The morning started with a little explore up into the nearby forest where we found quite good numbers of Ghost Orchids and other species seen in the forest the previous day - with the addition of Epipactis pontica . Mustafa drove us up the pass (and later the wall!) through thick mist and cloud until, about 4 km from the campsite and several hundred metres higher, we emerged into strong sunlight and immediately stopped to take pictures of the forests, meadows and swirling mists below us! Our first real stop of the day was shortly afterwards on some steep alpine meadows at about 2150m. The grassland here was liberally scattered with the leaves of Sibbaldia parviflora and Mervyn found one of the Umbels he had been particularly looking for - the almost prostrate Chamaescadium acaule . In lusher areas we found both Aconitum nasutum and A. orientale , although the former was not yet in flower. The gorgeous Geranium psilostemon was here amid Daphne glomerata and the large flowered Scabiosa caucasica . Our next stop was over the top of the pass as we started to descend towards Ardahan. Some meadows here at about 2300m were heavily grazed and rather poor, although they did have one particularly memorable species - the lovely large white flowered Gentiana gelida . A falcon which Mervyn spotted sitting on a rock was probably a Saker, but I never got good enough views to be sure. A couple of Long-legged Buzzards drifted over as well as a couple of unidentified Eagles. Further down the pass we stopped by a stream running through a shallow valley. The vegetation here was unusual in the extreme. We found no less than three stunning Aconitums , the two previously mentioned, this time with A. nasutum in glorious flower, and a smaller species with large creamy yellow flowers - A. anthora . Among the stately spikes of Veratrum album there was a wonderful display of Delphinium flexuosum . This species grows up to about 80cm in height, often with a branched inflorescence of many bright dark blue flowers up to an inch across! Bosanquet, the well-travelled yellow mouse, liked them so much he is still there! The much smaller, but still elegant, Delphinium schmallhausenii was also here. Some spectacular bright blue Gentians here were thought to be Gentiana cruciata again, but having glanced at my slides I can't believe these can be the same species we were encountering in the Pontics. Some of the other wonderful plants here included a range of beautiful Centaureas , the best being C. p. pulcherrima , although C. macrocephala wasn't far behind with its huge bright yellow flowers! Mervyn flound Prangos ferulacea on the roadside. A surprise on the bird front was four Shorelarks, while Tawny Pipit and Scarlet Rosefinch were also present. There were plenty of grasshoppers and crickets available for Brian to track, while the butterflies were not bad either. Among the species we saw here was Eastern Orange-Tip. We boarded the bus and continued on into the montane steppe zone between the Cam Gecidi and the Armenian border. Past Ardahan we srtopped for a picnic under some Scot's Pines. Several raptors soared around over the steppe in front of us as we tucked into the lunch and some rather warm beer. At least two Lesser Spotted Eagles, a Booted Eagle and two Steppe Buzzards. Brian was soon in animated mood as he found several female Wartbiters, and eventually a male, although this didn't yield to his wish to photograph it! Peucedanum ruthenicum was found here. We continued on towards Cildir and eventually drove off the main road into a small Kurdish village in the hope of reaching a castle situated on the walls of the gorge behind. Unfortunately a combination of really bad tracks, confusion over which route to take and Mustafa's worry about being there, meant that we had to give up and turn back. We stopped for a little while by another Scot's Pine forest about half way back to Ardahan. Raptors were amazing here. In just about forty minutes I saw Egyptian Vulture, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Booted Eagle, Steppe Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Kestrel and Saker Falcon. A good Umbellifer here was Ferulago setifolia . We stopped by the small wetland back near Ardahan for twenty minutes. At least four Citrine Wagtails suggested good breeding numbers of this very local Turkish species, and Garganey, Ruddy Shelduck, a few waders and about eight Marsh Harriers were all seen. It would have been interesting to know what the Carex species was that formed almost a pure stand over the whole wetland. There were several Ranunculus species, including the unusual annual, R. lateriflorus , and the Bristle Scirpus, Isolepis setacea . One particularly good record here was Elatine alsinastrum .

August 6th Return to Trabzon

After breakfast and packing up the campsite we had to leave the Savsat area and wend our way back to Trabzon. As I needed a bank which would deal with traveller's cheques we couldn't stop much en-route to Rize. We made a brief stop in the Coruh Gorge some 10 km north of Artvin where Dipsacus lacinatus and Kicksia elatina were noted. Short-tailed Blues, Wood Whites and a number of dragonflies were seen. One of the Wasp Spiders had webs across the roadside vegetation and the strange stick insect-like grasshopper, Acridas ungarica , was so common that they were even all over the main road. The marshy gravels by the Coruh had a population of both Typha latifolia and T. minima . After our lunch in Rize we stopped briefly to photograph the tea plantations. There were three Common Sandpipers on the coastal rocks below the road and a really strange-looking grass on the verge - Hemarthria altissima . Last Umbellifer noted on this trip was good old Crithmum maritimum ! After (eventually!) settling into the Hotel Usta in the late afternoon we went out for the final meal of the trip in the hotel restaurant.

August 7th Return to the UK

A very early start took us to Trabzon airport and thence to Istanbul where we had to sit sipping tea and beers before we caught the early afternoon flight to London.

Systematic List No. 1: Birds

This holiday was focused more or less entirely on the flora and entymology of the region. Thus, the following bird list is really more or less just incidental sightings, a fact reflected by the fact that I didn't even have a telescope with me! Nevertheless, there were some interesting records, and one in particular is very important as it seems to be the first confirmed breeding record of Corncrake in Turkey.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Generally common along the Black Sea. Noted on all journeys between Trabzon and Hopa areas. Black Stork Ciconia nigra 2 seen in rocky valley where the Cam Gecidi comes down to meet the Ardahan plain - another intriguing record! Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 2 at small wetland just northeast of Ardahan Garganey Anas querquedula 4 at small wetland just northeast of Ardahan Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus The only bird noted was flying around the ridges above Deniz Golu in the Kackar Dagi Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus An adult above Scot's Pine woods near Yeni Beyrehatun Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus c.8 around the small wetland just northeast of Ardahan Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 1 just south of Zigana Pass. A pair near restaurant at west foot of Cam Gecidi Sparrowhawk A. nisus 1 halfway up west side of Cam Gecidi, another near Yeni Beyrehatun Common Buzzard Buteo buteo All birds seen appeared to be B. b. vulpinus - two dark phase birds in valley by Ardahan Long-legged Buzzard B. rufinus Quite common in the Ardahan and Cildir areas Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Common to the east of Ardahan. Also noted from the west side of Cam Gecidi. Several short-tailed Aquila's remained unidentified! Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca 1 sub-adult c. 8km north of Yusufeli - opposite Georgian Castle Golden Eagle A. chrysaetos 2 on the west side of Cam Gecidi Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus 1 just northeast of Ardahan, 1 near Yeni Beyrehatun Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Observed on most days, except Trabzon & Ayder areas Hobby F. subbuteo 2 at Yusufeli, 2 at Yaylarlar and several noted in Scot's Pine woods between Ardahan and Cildir Saker F. cherrug 1 near Yeni Beyrehatun. Another large Falcon see on the east side of the Cam Gecidi may have been this species Caspian Snowcock Tetraogallus caspius Heard by Mustafa the driver above the campsite at Dilber Duzu, 1/8 and heard frequently on 3/8 when 1 watched flying along top of ridges above Quail Coturnix coturnix Heard between Yaylarlar and Olgunlar by OM etc. Corncrake Crex crex An adult flushed c.10km east of Savsat. Unfledged youngster found same spot. This represents the first proved breeding record (we are 99% sure) for Turkey - look out for future note in Sandgrouse magazine! Coot Fulica atra c.15 including young at small wetland just northeast of Ardahan Ruff Philomachus pugnax 4 at small wetland just northeast of Ardahan Common Redshank Tringa erythropus 1 at small wetland just northeast of Ardahan Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 1 at small wetland just northeast of Ardahan Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 3 on coastal rocks near Of Yellow-lggd Herring Gull Larus cachinnans Noted in all coastal areas. Abundant in Trabzon Armenian Gull L. armenicus A few individuals seen around Ardahan Rock Dove Columba livia Wild type birds noted around Yaylarlar Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur A scatter of records Long-eared Owl Asio otus A feather found in thick Pinus /Abies forest on the west side of the Cam Gecidi Common Swift Apus apus Noted from Trabzon and Savsat/Ardahan areas Alpine Swift A. melba Noted between Yusufeli and Yaylarlar Roller Coracias garrulus 2 seen near small wetland just northeast of Ardahan Hoopoe Upupa epops 2 along coast road between Hopa and Ardesen Great Spot'd Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Heard at 1270m, north side of Zigana Pass Shorelark Eremophila alpestris 4 at c.2000m on east side of Cam Gecidi; 4 10km west of Cildir Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Very common - perhaps the commonest bird in the region! House Martin Delichon urbica A scatter of records, common in areas Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 1 at c.2000m on east side of Cam Gecidi Tree Pipit A. trivialis Several noted between Yaylarlar and Dilber Duzu Water Pipit A. spinoletta Very common around Dilber Duzu, also near top of Zigana Pass Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola 1 Imm at c.2950m above Dilber Duzu, 31/7. A very odd record! At least four seen in half an hour at the small wetland just northeast of Ardahan Grey Wagtail M. cinerea Noted where-ever fast flowing streams occur - common White Wagtail M. alba A scatter of records - quite common Dipper Cinclus cinclus As for Grey Wagtail Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Noted from the Zigana Pass Dunnock Prunella modularis Noted from the Zigana Pass and Dilber Duzu Alpine Accentor P. collaris Very common above 2800m around Dilber Duzu. 1 dead at Deniz Golu - looked like raptor kill! Robin Erithacus rubecula 1 on Zigana Pass and noted from west side of Cam Gecidi near campsite Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochrurus Noted from Sumela and as common around Dilber Duzu Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Only noted from the top of Cam Gecidi Wheatear sp. Oenanthe sp. The Wheatears encountered at the following localities were a little strange to say the least! 8 km north of Yusufeli 1Imm; sev Imm and female just below campsite at Dilber Duzu and several between Ardahan and Cilder. Basically these fit the description of Pied Wheatear. The females are a cold brown colour, but the immatures show the features better with markedly rufous-buff edged flight feathers, almost giving a panel and regularly and strongly scalloped nape, mantle and back feathers. Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis 1 Imm. seen just above Olgunlar Blackbird Turdus merula Noted from The Zigana Pass and Savsat area Mistle Thrush T. viscivorus Noted from the Zigana Pas and Cam Gecidi Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris 3 between Asagi Kavron and Yukari Kavron and noted near campsite on west side of Cam Gecidi Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida 1 in Coruh Gorge near Artvin Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1 at Yaylarlar Mountain Chiffchaff Phylloscopus sindianus 1 probable west side of Cam Gecidi Green Warbler P. ( trochiloides ) nitidus Common at Sumela and around Ayder Goldcrest Regulus regulus Common around Ayder and on west side of Cam Gecidi Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 near campsite, west side of Cam Gecidi Coal Tit Parus ater Noted from Zigana Pass and Ayder Blue Tit P. caeruleus Noted from Coruh gorge below Artvin and along coast Great Tit P. major Noted from Zigana Pass, Ayder and Savsat/Ardahan areas Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer 2 on south side of Zigana Pass and 2 near Sarigol Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria 2 on screes at 3400m between Deniz Golu and the nameless lake, Kackar Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio A female, Zigana Pass; quite common around Savsat and Ardahan areas Jay Garrulus glandarius Noted from Ayder, Yaylarlar and Savsat/Ardahan areas Magpie Pica pica Only noted from Yaylarlar and Savsat/Ardahan areas Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus Common in high Kackar Chough P. pyrrhocorax Less common than above species, high Kackar Jackdaw Corvus monedula Noted between Yusufeli and Yaylarlar Rook C. frugilegus Common between Cam Gecidi and Cildir. Large flocks noted on top of the pass, Ardahan and all villages to Cildir Hooded Crow C. corone cornix Common except in high Kackar Raven C. corax Noted in small numbers from most areas House Sparrow Passer domesticus Noted from most habitation - not very common! Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Common at Ayder and Cam Gecidi Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus Common in high Kackar; also at Cam Gecidi Greenfinch Carduelis chloris 1 in Coruh valley below Artvin Goldfinch C. carduelis Noted between Cam Gecidi and Cildir Linnet C. cannabina Noted from Olgunlar and Cam Gecidi Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra c.10, Zigana Pass; common on west side of Cam Gecidi Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys sanguinea A pair just below campsite and 1 in campsite at Dilber Duzu Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Noted from Ayder, Yaylarlar and Cam Gecidi, where common Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Heard at Ayder Rock Bunting Emberiza cia 1 male in valley between Savsat and Artvin Ortolan Bunting E. hortulana 1 male at Olgunlar Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra Quite common around Yaylarlar

Systematic List No. 2 Flowers

Thanks in particular to Owen for working so hard on the flora of the area, spending every late evening poring over the ten volume Turkish Flora.

The following list is roughly systematic, following the taxonomic order of Grey-Wilson and Blamey. English names are not used as they exist for so few plants in this region as to be meaningless - those of particular interest are mentioned in the comments.

Bryophyta Philonotis sp Dominating some streamsides at Dilber Duzu and head of Buyuk Cay Valley

Lycopsidaceae Lycopodium clavatum Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron Huperzia selago Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron Diphasiastrum alpinum Damp grassland and flushes around tree-line near Asagi Kavron

Equisetaceae Equisetum arvense Barhal, Yusufeli E. palustre Coruh Gorge, 10km north of Artvin E. ramosissimum Sumela, Barhal

Pteridophyta Botrychium lunaria 1 plant noted on igneous shelf ESE of Dilber Duzu camp amid wet grassland - c.2800m Woodsia alpina On cliffs above scree to the ENE of Dilber Duzu camp. Apparently only the third Turkish record! Pteridium aquilinum Trabzon, Sumela, lower Euxine forest Cryptogramma crispa Screes and cliff margins in gulleys N of Dilber Duzu campsite Blechnum spicant Lower Euxine forest Asplenium adiantum -nigrum Sumela, Yusufeli, Euxine forest A. scolopendrium Barhal, lower Euxine forest A. trichomanes Sumela, Yusufeli A. trichomanes -racemosum Also known as A. viride . Sumela - a local rarity? Cystopteris fragilis Sumela, rock crevices around Dilber Duzu camp, Cam Gecidi Dryopteris abbreviata Nominate - scree throughout the Dilber Duzu area Polystichum lonchitis From Nazaf to above 3000m around Dilber Duzu. Cam Gecidi Phegopteris connectilis Sumela, Barhal - a local rarity? Polypodium vulgare agg. Sumela, lower Euxine forest Pteris cretica Common along damp banks, streamsides etc. between 0m and 500m. Euxine zone Gymnocarpium dryopteris Understorey of Euxine forest between Ayder and Asagi Kavron. Dilber Duzu

Gymnosperms Pinaceae Pinus nigra Subsp. nigra - Barhal, Yaylarlar P. orientalis Common in Euxine forest P. pinea A small population in the Mediterranean enclave in the lower Coruh Valley P. sylvatica Planted and probably native in steppe to the E and NE of Ardahan Abies nordmanniana Subspecies nordmanniana , common, and often dominant, in Euxine forest - subspecies nana south of rainshadow - often with other subspecies

Cupressaceae Juniperus communis Subsp. nana at Yusufeli and Yaylarlar being replaced by Subsp. hemishaerica above Dilber Duzu camp J. oxycedrus Nominate

Taxaceae Taxus baccata 1992 - Lower Euxine forest

Ephedraceae Ephedra major Subspecies nana . Lower Barhal Valley

Angiosperms Fagaceae Fagus orientalis Sumela Quercus petraea Subsp. iberica - Yusufeli, Savsat

Salicaceae Populus tremula Barhal, Cam Gecidi P. uzbekistana Barhal Valley Salix alba Coruh Gorge S. caprea Sumela, Barhal S. pedicellata Nominate. 2-3km east along Savsat road from Coruh valley main road

Juglandaceae Pterocarya fraxinifolia Sumela

Betulaceae Betula litwinowii Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi Alnus glutinosa Subsp. barbata - Common, e.g. Sumela

Corylaceae Carpinus orientalis Ostrya carpinifolia The Hop Hornbeam. Lower Barhal Valley Corylus maxima Possibly naturalized?? Coastal route between Hopa and Rize

Ulmaceae Celtis glabrata Lower Barhal Valley Ulmus glabra Sumela

Tiliaceae Tilia rubra Sumela

Moraceae Morus alba 2-3km east along Savsat road from Coruh valley main road

Santalaceae Thesium procumbens

Urticaceae Urtica dioica Sumela, Dilber Duzu camp Datisca cannabina Unstable slopes, roadsides etc. e.g on the way up to Yaylarlar, also above Savsat

Cannabaceae Hunulus lupulus Around Barhal

Aristolochiaceae Aristolochia clematitis Noted at Sumela in 1992

Polgonaceae Polygonum alpinum Above Yaylarlar - up to 3300m. Locally common sometimes colouring scree Persicaria bistorta Subsp. carneum - damp grassland and near streams from Hazaf up to around 3000m around Dilber Duzu camp. Also, Cam Gecidi P. hydropiper Lower Euxine forest P. minor Fallopia convolvulus Yusufeli Oxyria digyna Stoney areas NE of high level lakes above Dilber Duzu camp Rumex acetosella Yaylarlar R. alpinus Sarigol, Yaylarlar, streams and screes to 3000m around Dilber Duzu camp, Cam Gecidi R. crispus Barhal R. obtusifolia Subsp. subalpinus . North side of Zigana Pass at c.1270m R. ponticus R. scutatus Barhal Valley R. tuberosus Subspecies horizontalis - open areas at Sumela

Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium botrys Lower Barhal Valley C. foliosum Between Olgunlar and Nazaf Yaylar Kochia scoparia

Amaranthaceae Amaranthus graecizens Amaranthus lividus Lower Barhal Valley

Phytolaccaceae Phytolacca americana Naturalized. Roadsides in the Borcka and Hopa areas

Caryophyllaceae Arenaria lychnidea A. rotundifolia Nominate. Runnels and gulleys in Euxine forest between Ayder and Asagi Kavron. Meadows between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu Cerastium cerastioides Screes and deep sward from Dilber Duzu upwards C. dahuricum Damp gulleys above Dilber Duzu C. fontanum West side of Cam Gecidi - c.2000m. Sumela C. gnaphaloides ?Yaylarlar C. lazicum Forming patches in stoney areas near high level lakes - above 3100m C. purpurascens Very large flowered species - screes and rocks from 2750m upwards Myosoton aquaticum Barhal Stellaria media Sumela Moehringia trinervia Barhal Minuartia aizoides Common from Dilber Duzu upwards M. circassica Replaces M. aizoides above 3200m M. erythrosepala Nominate form. Turf and rock faces from Dilber Duzu upwards Scleranthus annuus Cam Gecidi S. uncinatus Yaylarlar to Dilber Duzu and around campsite Herniaria glabra From Dilber Duzu upwards Silene armena Widespread and common S. cappadocica West side of Cam Gecidi - c.2000m S. caucasica ?possibly recorded in 1992 S. dianthoides High screes and gravel on south side - above 2900m S. lazica Cliffs and gulleys NE of Dilber Duzu - not recorded in 1996 S. saxatilis Rocky areas throughout Yaylarlar - Kackar area S. spergulifolia Dry rocky slopes c. 500m below Yaylarlar S. stenobotrys South side of Zigana pass, near stream crossing at c.1300m S. vulgaris Sumela, screes and steppe NE of Dilber Duzu camp Gypsophila elegans Open rocky areas at Sumela. Yaylarlar G. glandulosa Meadows below Dilber Duzu camp G. silenoides Scree north of Dilber Duzu - not recorded in 1996 G. simulatrix Dianthus calocephalus Yaylarlar D. carmelitum Sumela D. orientalis Common - Lower Barhal Valley D. multicaulis Yaylarlar

Rannunculaceae Helleborus orientalis South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m Actaea spicata Sumela. Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron Clematis orientalis Widespread Anemone albana Subspecies armena - dryer slopes to the south of Dilber Duzu - in seed in late July A. narcissiflora Subspecies wildenowii - scattered on rocky slopes below Dilber Duzu Ranunculus arvensis Roadsides east of Savsat R. brachylobus Both nominate and subsp. incisilobatus - lining streams around Dilber Duzu R. dissectus Subspecies huetii - Yaylarlar, meadows up to 3300m R. lateriflorus Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder R. oreophilus Meadows on the south side up to 3000m R. polyanthemos Doline at c.2800m just below and ESE of Dilber Duzu camp R. repens Sumela R. scleratus Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder R. trichophyllus ??Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder Thalictrum minus Subsp. majus - Yusfeli. Subsp. microphyllum between Nazaf and Dilber Duzu. Nominate - Barhal Aquilegia olympica A few colonies under shady south facing cliffs between 2800 and 3000m in Dilber Duzu Caltha polypetala Frequent by streams above Yaylarlar - also on north side around Ayder Trollius ranunculinus By stream above Dilber Duzu - finsihed flowering by end of July Aconitum anthora A few plants in Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi A. nasutum Frequent in Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi A. orientale Zigana Pass. Above Ayder. Frequent in Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi Delphinium flexuosum Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi D. linearifolium On high level screes - between 3100m and 3400m D. schmallhausenii South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m Consolida hohenackeni River gravels between Barhal and Yusufeli Paeonia mascula Subsp. arietina . South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m

Capparaceae Capparis ovata Var. herbacea . Coruh Valley and lower Barhal Valley Cleome steveniana

Berberidaceae Berberis crataegina

Papaveraceae Papaver fugax Nominate Papaver lateritium Common in fields and alpine meadows between Yaylarlar and Dilber Duzu - up to around 2750m P. paucifoliatum Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi P. triniifolium Above Yaylarlar - not recorded in 1996 Glaucium grandiflorum Nominate subspecies. Lower Barhal Valley Chelidonium majus Sumela

Fumariaceae Fumaria microcarpa F. procumbens Corydalis alpestris High scree near lakes and between Dilber Duzu meadow and cliffs to the north C. conorhiza Scattered - rocky and gravelly slopes - near snowmelt at 2600m and up to 3300m C. rutifolia Subsp. erdelii - dry rocky areas on south side - 2000 to 3400m

Cruciferae Sobelowskia clavata Barhal Aurinia rupestris Subsp cyclocarpa - Yaylarlar Berteroa mutabilis Isatis cappadocica Scree and steppe areas near Dilber Duzu I. glauca Nominate. Dry rocky slopes c. 500m below Yaylarlar Camellina hispida Nominate. Near Cilder Rorippa austriaca Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder Cardamine impatiens Sumela, Barhal Cardamine raphanifolia Subspecies acris - bu streams, frequent. Murbeckiella huetii Rocks in turf around Dilber Duzu campsite Dentaria bulbifera North side of Zigana Pass at c.1270m Capsella bursa -pastoris Yaylarlar Arabis brachycarpa Dilber Duzu Arabis caucasica Nominate. Noted from around Dilber Duzu Alyssoides utriadata South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m Alyssum linifolium Yaylarlar Erysimum gelidum At c.3500m near Deniz Golu Erysimum pulchellum Above Yaylarlar Aethionema oppositifolium Fine gravels above 3000m - south side of divide - up to 3450m at least Capsella bursa -pastoris Yaylarlar Draba brunnifolia Rock crevices from 2650m to about 3000m D. hispida Stoney areas above 2600m on south side of divide D. nemorosa Damp grassland and flushes around tree-line near Asagi Kavron D. polytricha Cam Gecidi. Kackar Range - high level gravels, screes and rocks from c.3200 to the summit of Kackar at 3900m! Lepidium perfoliatum Roadside near Camlihemsin Cardaria draba Subsp. chalopennis - Cam Gecidi Bunias orientalis Campsite at the western foot of Cam Gecidi - near restaurant Barbarea plantaginea South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m

Resedeceae Reseda lutea Barhal

Crassulaceae Sedum pallidum Subspecies pallidum . Barhal S. pilosum Rocks by stream and screes around cam at Dilber Duzu. The dark red-pink flowered Sedum. S. spurium Common around Yaylarlar S. stoloniferum Sumela - damp rocks in the shade S. telephium Subsp. maximum - Barhal, Yaylarlar S. tenellum Bluffs, rocks, screes and snowmelt up to 3200m south side of divide Sempervivum armenum Cliffs north of camp at Dilber Duzu to 3200m S. davisii S. minus Nominate - Yaylarlar up to around 3200m above Dilber Duzu - widespread on dry rocky areas. S. staintonii Lower Barhal Valley

Saxifragaceae Chrysosplenium dubium Saxifraga cymbalaria Common in shady spots and streamsides in Euxine forest. Also streamsides at Yaylarlar S. exerata Subsp. adenophora - cliffs near Deniz Golu and above camp at Dilber Duzu. 3000m+ S. juniperiifolia Cliffs near Deniz Golu and above Dilber Duzu camp. 3000m+ S. moschata Species poor screes above Deniz Golu - c.3400m S. paniculata Subspecies cartilaginea - from Yaylarlar up to at least 3000m. Nominate noted from around Dilber Duzu camp S. rotundifolia Sumela, Dilber Duzu S. sibirica Subsp. mollis . Edges of streams, screes, etc. from 2200m to the the summit of Kackar at 3900m. One of the commonets plants above 3200m

Parnassiaceae

Parnassia palustris Yaylarlar, cliffs and streamsides above Dilber Duzu camp

Rosaceae

Filipendula ulmaria Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi F. vulgaris Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi Sanguisorba minor Subsp. muricata - Coruh Gorge S. officinalis Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi Rosa elymaitiae ? or R. villosa villosa . Grassy slopes below camp at Dilber Duzu Geum coccineum Barhal and between Yaylarlar and Dilber Duzu - up to 3000m. G. urbanum Sumela Potentilla adscharica Yaylarlar P. crantzii Var. ternata . At around 3300m near Deniz Golu P. elatior Among rocks at Sumela P. erecta Around Ayder P. humifusa Frequent by snowpatches and on scree above 3100m P. lazica Above Yaylarlar P. rupestris Scarce - scree above camp at Dilber Duzu P. ruprectii At c.3000m near Deniz Golu P. savralensis Rock crevices on cliffs above campsite and up by Deniz Golu. Some seems to approach P. dodsii . Both mentioned only from a couple of collections from the area in Davis. Further colonies found in 1996 in various cliffs to the N and E of Dilber Duzu camp Sibbaldia parviflora Nominate. Abundant above Ayder on N side of divide. Almost as frequent above 2700m on south side, noted down to Yaylarlar. Also Cam Gecidi Fragaria vesca Sumela Aruncus vulgaris Sumela Cotoneaster integerrimus Ravine by Georgian castle c.6km north of Yusufeli Pyrus communis Subsp. caucasica . South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m P. eleagnifolia Subsp. kotschyana . South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m Malus sylvestris Savsat Sorbus aucuparia Cliffs around Dilber Duzu S. kuznetzovii South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m Amygdalus communis Possibly naturalized in meadows between Sarigol and Barhal Rubus caesius Meadows between Sarigol and Barhal R. hirtus Sumela Rubus idaeus Sumela, Dilber Duzu camp Alchemilla caucausica Yaylarlar A. crinita South side of Zigana pass, near stream crossing at c.1300m A. dure Barhal A. heterophylla By rocky gulleys north of camp at Dilber Duzu - 1992 only A. sericae ?Rocks and cliffs on south side - 2500-3200m Alchemilla sp. Nominate + subsp. mollis ? - Sumela Ribes alpinum Sumela R. orientalis Above Yaylarlar Maspilus germanica Laurocerasus officinalis

Leguminosae Robinia pseudacacia Argyrolobium biebersteinii Astragalus incertus 1992 - spur in steppe to east of camp at Dilber Duzu - resembles Oxytropis persica A. lineatus Subsp. longioleus - turf and rocks near Dilber Duzu A. suberosus ?1992 - S-facing steppe east of camp at Dilber Duzu A. viciifolius Yaylarlar - not noted in 1996 Oxytropis albana A few plants noted on igneous shelf ESE of Dilber Duzu camp amid wet grassland - c.2800m O. lazica Screes at c.3400m near Deniz Golu Vicia alpestris Scree at foot of camp to NW of camp at Dilber Duzu V. canescens Mobile scree on S-facing slope E of camp at Dilber Duzu - 1992 only V. cracca Meadows 10km east of Savsat V. crocea Woodland fringes 10km east of Savsat V. sepium Sumela Lathyrus pratensis Sumela L. rotundifolius Subsp. miniatus . 1992 near Olgunlar. 1996 near Savsat L. tukhtensis L. vernus South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m Melilotus neapolitana Ravine by Georgian castle c.6km north of Yusufeli M officinalis Barhal Medicago lupulina Sumela M. X varia Meadows 10km east of Savsat Lotus corniculatus Var. tenuifolius . 10km north of Yusufeli by river Barhal Trifolium arvense Barhal T. aureum Around Ayder T. fragiferum 10km north of Yusufeli by river Barhal T. pannonicum Subspecies elongatum . Common between Yaylarlar and Dilber Duzu T. pratense Sumela T. repens Sumela, Yaylarlar up to about 3250m above Dilber Duzu camp, Cam Gecidi T. rytidosemium Around Ayder T. spadiceum Meadows below Dilber Duzu Anthyllis vulneraria Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi Coronilla orientalis Var. balansae . Colouring ground yellow around camp at Dilber Duzu - less obvious (finished?) in 1996. Also at Sumela in 1992 where standard is darker. Coronilla varia Sumela Onobrychis altissima Meadows 10km east of Savsat O. armena Yaylarlar O. lazistanica Dry rocky slopes c. 500m below Yaylarlar. Seemingly only known from the type specimen! O. montana Subsp. cadmea . Commonest on bluffs above camp at Dilber Duzu O. stenostachya Subsp. sosnowskyi . Near Cilder

Oxalidaceae Oxalis acetosella Sumela, Savsat and forests on west side of Cam Gecidi O. corniculata Lower Euxine forest

Geraniaceae Geranium asphodeloides ?Subsp. sintensii . Campsite at the western foot of Cam Gecidi - near restaurant G. cinereum Subsp. subcaulescens var. lazicum . Common between Hazaf Yayla and about 3000m G. collinum Rocky gulleys north of campsite at Dilber Duzu G. gracile Sumela G. ibericum Subspecies jubatum - common around Yaylarlar. Subsp. ibericum around Dilber Duzu. Cam Gecidi G. psilostemon Very common around Ayder. Also on Cam Gecidi. An exceptionally beautiful species G. pyrenaicum Sumela Yaylarlar G. robertianum Sumela G. sanguineum South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m

Zygophyllaceae Tribulus terrestris

Linaceae Linum austriacum Nominate. 10-15km south of Artvin L. catharticum Barhal L. hypericifolia Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi L. obtusatum Rocky slopes near lakes between 3000m and 3300m

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia chamaesyce E. djimilensis 1992 - Steppe, slopes in gulleys NE of Dilber Duzu camp E. falcata Ravine by Georgian castle c.6km north of Yusufeli E. orientalis Sumela E. stricta E. virgata Lower Barhal Valley Chrozophora tinctoria Mercurialis annua South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m Andrachne telephioides Lower Barhal Valley

Lythraceae Lythrum salicaria Common, Trabzon, Sumela, Yusufeli etc.

Callitrichaceae Callitriche palustris ?probably this species - Subsp. palustris - Cam Gecidi

Rutaceae Haplophyllum armenum

Polygalaceae Polygala anatolica South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m P. major Yaylarlar P. vulgaris Bluffs above Dilber Duzu

Aceraceae Acer campestre Subspecies leiocarpum . Lower Barhal Valley A. cappadocicum Sumela A. divergens Var. trilobum . Ravine by Georgian castle c.6km north of Yusufeli. Confined to Coruh Valley. A. regundo Planted by cafe, Sumela A. trautvetteri Sumela

Anacardiaceae Rhus coraria Cotinus cocygaria Lower Barhal Valley

Celastraceae Euonymus latifolius Sumela

Balsaminaceae Impatiens noli -tangere Sumela and lower Euxine forest

Buxaceae Buxus sempervirens Frequent in Euxine Forest

Rhamnaceae Frangula ulnus Meadows between Sarigol and Barhal Myricaria germanica Barhal Valley Paliurus spina -christi Common in Coruh Valley

Vitaceae Vitis vinifera Barhal Valley - probably naturalised

Elaeagnaceae Eleagnus angustifolius Hippophae rhamnoides Barhal

Staphyleaceae Staphylea pinnata Common in Euxine forest

Malvaceae Alcea calvertii Frequent on roadsides east of Cam Gecidi A. excubita A. hohenackeri Barhal A. pallida

Violaceae Viola arvensis Between Yaylarlar and Olgunlar

Elatinaceae Elatine alsinastrum Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder

Thymelaeaceae Daphne glomerata Patchily distributed on dry slopes from 2500m to 3200m - rather scarce south of the divide. Cam Gecidi D. mezereum Damp grassland and flushes around tree-line near Asagi Kavron D. oleoides Nominate. Higher parts of gulleys near Dilber Duzu camp. Subsp. kurdica also near Dilber Duzu camp

Guttiferae Hypericum androsaemum Sumela H. bithynicum Wet flushes between Yaylarlar and Dilber Duzu H. bupleuroides Around Ayder H. linariaoides South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m H. orientale Yaylarlar H. perforatum North side of Zigana Pass at c.1270m H. venustum near streams below Dilber Duzu.

Cistaceae Helianthemum nummularium Subsp tomentosum - Yaylarlar. Subsp. ovatum - Cam Gecidi

Tamariceceae Tamarix smyrniensis Lower Coruh valley T. tetrandra Lower Coruh Valley

Cucurbitaceae Cucubalus baccifer Sumela

Punicaceae Punica granatum Lower Barhal Valley. 10-15km south of Artvin

Onagraceae Epilobium algidum Wet screes, streamsides, rocky gulleys from 2200m to 3200m E. anatolicum Subsp. prionophyllum . Tree-line damp grassland around Asagi Kavron E. hirsutum Near Olgunlar E. montanum Sumela, Yaylarlar E. parviflorum 10km north of Yusufeli by river Barhal E. ponticum Wet screes, streamsides, rocky gulleys from 2200m to 3200m E. stevenii Chamaerion angustifolium Barhal, screes and cliffs above Dilber Duzu camp Circaea alpina Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron C. lutetiana Sumela

Cornaceae Cornus mas Possibly naturalised in meadows between Sarigol and Barhal C. sanguinea Subsp. cilicica. Subsp. australis - Barhal

Araliaceae Hedera colchica Common understory species in Euxine forests

Umbelliferae Hydrocotyle ramiflora Introduced. Noted on pass between Borcka and Hopa Sanicula europaea Pinus /Abies Euxine forest c.10km east of Savsat Astrantia maxima Common in meadows below Dilber Duzu camp. Also above Ayder Eryngium giganteum Occasional over much of the region E. creticum A few substantial colonies E. campestre Widespread E. caeruleum A small colony seen when returning towards Artvin from Savsat, possibly the very one seen by Davis! Chaerophyllum astrantiae Reasonably common in high meadows between 2400 and 3000m between Olgunlar and Deniz Golu C. aureum Plentiful on north slopes of Kackar C. byzantinum Sumela C. monospermum Mobile scree and steppe to the E and NE of camp at Dilber Duzu C. temulum As above Anthriscus nemorosa Noted from between Yaylarlar and Dilber Duzu Scandix stellata Fairly widespread Torilis arvensis Subsp. neglecta . 10-15km south of Artvin Fuernrohria setifolia Noted by Mervyn by trackside above Ogden, north of Yusufeli Bifora radians South side of Zigana Pass at 1550m amongst scrub Scaligeria tripartita South side of Zigana Pass at 1550m amongst scrub Bunium microcarpum Subspecies bourgaei . Scattered Carum carvi Abundant on Cam Gecidi C. meifolium Plentiful at Ayder C. caucasicum Noted both north and south of Kackar - doubtfully seperable from previous species? Chamaesciadium acaule Fairly plentiful in turf at about 2150m on west side of Cam Gecidi Pimpinella affinis Around Yusufeli P. tragium Noted by Mervyn at Demirkent, east of Yusufeli P. rhodantha I quote Mervyn - "One fully believeable plant east of Savsat"! - Also appeared to be this species between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu, c. 2400m P. saxifraga Abundant Aegopodium podagraria Sumela Crithmum maritimum Noted on coastal rocks between Rize and Of Seseli libanotis S. libanotis sensu str . seen south of Zigana Pass at c.1550m. S. l. intermedia along coast road S. resinosum Noted by Mervyn south of Zigana Pass S. petraeum Seen on damp rocks by the path to Sumela Monastery. 15-20 plants of this scarce species noted S. andronakii A potentially large plant with affinities to S. globiferum . Leafage at stem nodes and very late. Where a small umbel had formed its flowers had been consumed by a loop caterpillar. Scattered around Yusufeli, especially towards Olur - Mervyn. Petroselinum crispum Parsley - possibly native - Yusufeli Anethum graveolens Weed around habitation Physospermum cornubiense Noted from c.1550m south of the Zigana Pass Conium maculatum Widespread Prangos pabularia Noted by Mervyn north of Yusufeli P. ferulaceum East side of Cam Gecidi Hippomarathrum microcarpum Noted from c.1550m south of the Zigana Pass Bupleurum schistosum Various track and roadsides around Yusufeli, Artvin and lower part of valley towards Savsat B. falcatum Widespread in several forms B. brachiatum Present in moderate quantities on arid slopes c. 3km north of Yusufeli Falcaria vulgaris Frequent colonies Cnidium silaifolium Noted several times in arid localtities Xanthogalum purpurascens Noted from around Yaylarlar Ferula szowitsiana Probably this species north of Yusufeli Ferulago setifolia Under Pines c. 20km east of Ardahan Daucus carota Yusufeli Peucedanum longifolium Noted from about 1500m, south side of Zigana Pass P. meyeri Seeds collected from a very long-over perennial, multi-stemmed, branched, 30- 40cm Peucedanum sp. could well be this species. We will have to wait and see....! P. ruthenicum In shade of Pines, c. 10km east of Ardahan P. caucasicum ?? - Plants with leaves of this size were seen at the edges of haymeadows c. 11 km east of Savsat Heracleum antiasiaticum Abundant and widespread H. apiifolium Above Ayder H. pastinacifolium Subsp. incanum . Scree between Deniz Golu and Nameless Lake at c. 3400m H. sphondylium Subsp. artvinense - 1992 - upper parts of gulleys NE of Dilber Duzu camp Oenanthe pimpenelloides Coastal route between Hopa and Artvin Astrodaucus orientalis Abundant and widespread Caucalis platycarpos Occasional in various locations Ligusticum alatum A few plants in diverse locations from Sumela to east of Savsat Aethusa cynapium Occasional at Ayder Foeniculum vulgare Trabzon and Sumela Pastinaca sativa Lower Euxine forest

Pyrolaceae Pyrola minor Understorey of Euxine forest about 3km below Asagi Kavron, where track crosses main tributary - new range extension. P. rotundifolia Meadows and forest between Ayder and Asagi Kavron

Monotropaceae Monotropa hypopithys Reasonably common in forests between 1650m and 2000m on west side of Cam Gecidi

Ericaceae Epigaea gaultherioides Euxine forest understorey between Ayder and Asagi Kavron, particularly frequent between 1km and 3km below the latter. Rhododendron caucasicum Common between 2000 and 3000m on north facing slopes. On this trip noted as common above Asagi Kavron and rare around Dilber Duzu R. luteum Common understorey species in Euxine forest R. ponticum Common understorey species in Euxine forest R. smirnovii 1992 - noted as uncommon around Karadeniz Golu R. ungernii 1992 - noted as uncommon around Karadeniz Golu Vaccinium arctostaphylos Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron V. myrtillus Scattered from Dilber Duzu camp up to high level lakes at c.3300m V. uliginosum Abundant in rocky areas and damp turf between 2400m and 3100m around Dilber Duzu camp

Primulaceae Primula algida Common in dry turf and around snowmelt from 2600m upwards. Most frequent in late July at around 3000m P. auriculata Locally dominant in stream beds from 2500m on south side of divide up to 3100m. Also noted near Asagi Kavron above Ayder P. elatior Subsp. meyeri . Scattered on rocks, by streams and snowmelt from 2700m where in fruit to 3300m. In flower above 3000m in late July. Subsp. pallasii - montane grassland, Cam Gecidi P. longipes Frequent by streams up to 3300m. In flower in late July above 2800m P. veris Subsp. columnae - meadows 10km east of Savsat Primula vulgaris Sumela Androsace albana Dry gravelly areas and low-incline screes above 3200m - near Deniz Golu Lysimachia verticillaris

Plumbaginaceae Plumbago europaea

Oleaceae Fraxinus excelsior Lower Euxine forest

Gentianaceae Blackstonia perfoliata Subsp. serotinus - Lower Euxine forest Gentiana asclepiadea Willow Gentian - common on Euxine forest margins, damp places. Not yet in full flower in late July, early August G. cruciata By streams and boggy areas, also rocky terrain, up to 3000m on south side of divide. Between Asagi Kavron and Yukari Kavron on north side. Also 5km east of Cam Gecidi G. gelida Scattered in grazed turf c. 3.5km east of Cam Gecidi pass - c.2100m G. olivierii Meadows 10km east of Savsat G. pyrenaica Turf around Dilber Duzu camp G. verna Subsp. pontica . Dry turf and gravells, also snowmelt, to 3300m Gentianella caucasica By streams in meadows between Nazaf Yayla and Dilber Duzu Swertia iberica Frequent by streams and lakes between 2200m and 3000m on south side. Also noted from near Asagi Kavron on north side Centaurium pulchellum Lower Euxine forest, Ardahan

Apocynaceae Trachomitrum venutum Subsp. sarmethense . 1992 - Yusufeli. 1996 - Coruh Gorge, upstream from Artvin

Asclepiadaceae Cynanchum acutum Nominate. River gravels between Barhal and Yusufeli. Also in the Coruh Valley Vincetoxicum linoleum Barhal V. scandens Sumela

Rubiaceae Asperula affinis Finer screes above and around high level lakes, south side of divide A. glomerata Kackar. West side of Cam Gecidi - c.2000m A. laxiflora Yaylarlar, Dilber Duzu A. woronowii Ravine by Georgian castle c.6km north of Yusufeli Galium incanum Ravine by Georgian castle c.6km north of Yusufeli G. odoratum Sumela G. rotundifolium Common in Euxine forest G. subuliferum Yaylarlar G. verum Meadows between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu Cruciata laevipes Scree and rocky meadows around Dilber Duzu camp C. taurica Scree and steppe on S-facing slopes to NE of Dilber Duzu camp

Convolvulaceae Cuscuta epithymum Var. scabrum . Cliff bases to the north of Dilber Duzu camp C. europaea Sumela C. monogyna Lower Barhal Valley Calystegia sepium Sumela

Boraginaceae Heliotropium europaeum Lower Coruh Valley Buglossoides arvense Onosma bornmuelleri Above Yaylarlar O. isauricum Yaylarlar Cerinthe glabra Above Yaylarlar. Also screes above Dilber Duzu Nonea pulla Subspecies monticola - above Yaylarlar N. pulmonarioides Scree between Dilber Duzu camp and Deniz Golu Echium italicum E. plantagineum Barhal Symphytum asperum Subsp. armeniacum . Sumela Lappula barbata South side of Zigana pass, near stream crossing at c.1300m L. patula Barhal L. squarrosa Myosotis alpestris Wide variety of habitats up to 3250m on south side of divide M. iberica Damp path edges, Sumela M. laxa Wet areas and damp forest on west side of Cam Gecidi M. lithospermifolia Yaylarlar Cynoglossum glochidiatum Naturalised. Roadside near between Camlihemsin and Ayder C. holosericum About half a dozen populations of this rare species noted on semi-mobile screes to the N, NE and E of Dilber Duzu camp. Perennial. C. officinale Barhal Arnebia pulchra Rocky slopes and streams from 2200m to 3000m - A very beautiful and distinctive species Anchusa azurea Lower Barhal Valley Paracoryus strictum Sand by Coruh River

Verbenaceae Verbena officinalis 10-15km south of Artvin

Labiatae Ajuga orientalis Nominate. Rocky turf between 2800m and 3000m around Dilber Duzu camp Prunella vulgaris Yaylarlar Scutellaria albida Subspecies pontica - Yaylarlar. Subspecies colchica - Barhal. S. orientalis Nominate - Yaylarlar. Subsp. sosnowskyi - 2-3km east along Savsat road from Coruh valley main road Teucrium chamaedrys Subspecies trapezunticum - Sumela. Subspecies syspirsizcae - Yaylarlar. T. orientale Var. puberulens - Yaylarlar. Nominate also present T. polium Galeopsis bifida Barhal G. leslanum Marrubium astracanicum Sumela Micromeria elliptica Lower Barhal Valley Phlomis russeliana South side of Zigana pass, near stream crossing at c.1300m Ballota rotundifolia Rocky slopes between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu. Dry rocky slopes c. 500m below Yaylarlar - both represent range extensions Lamium album Stoney slopes to more than 3000m around Dilber Duzu camp L. gundelsheimeri Sumela L. macrodon 10km north of Yusufeli by river Barhal Leonurus glaucescens Cilder Area Stachys balansae Nominate. Above Yaylarlar up to Dilber Duzu S. iberica Nominate - Yaylarlar S. lavendulifera Nominate - North side of Zigana Pass at c. 1270m S. macrantha From above Nazaf very common in dry turf on south side of divide. Also around Asagi Kavron on the north side. Cam Gecidi S. officinalis Scattered in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road S. sylvatica Sumela, Lower Euxine forest, Ayder Lallementia canescens Gravelly areas between Deniz Golu and Nameless Lake - c.3400m L. peltata Fallow fields on edge of Scot's Pine forest near Yeni Beyrehatun Satureja hortensis 10-15km south of Artvin Calamintha grandiflora Melissa officinalis 10-15km south of Artvin Ziziphora tenuior Lower Barhal Valley Thymus pseudopulegioides Dry bluffs at Dilber Duzu T. sipyleus Subspecies rosularis - Yaylarlar Hyssopus officinalis Subsp. angustifolium . Origanum rotundifolium Lower Barhal Valley Lycopus europaeus Yusufeli Mentha aquatica Lower Euxine forest M. longifolia Yaylarlar,Barhal M. spicata Yusufeli Salvia brachyantha Gulleys and dry areas NE of Dilber Duzu camp S. forskahlei Sumela S. glutinosa The large yellow-flowered Salvia. Common on north-facing slopes of the Kackar S. multicaulis Sumela S. staminea Steppe and scree NE of Dilber Duzu camp Clinopodium vulgare Subsp. anindanum ? - Sumela. Nominate? - Barhal

Solanaceae Atropa belladonna Lower Euxine forest, Savsat Hyoscyamus niger Barhal Solanum nigrum Subsp. schutsii - Yusufeli Datura stramonium Trabzon, Sumela

Scrophulariaceae Scrophularia canina Barhal S. nodosa S. olympica ?Scree and foot of cliff to N of Dilber Duzu camp S. orientalis S. scopoli Var. adenocalyx . Sumela S. umbrosa Barhal Rhynchocorys elephas Widespread R. orientalis Meadows 10km east of Savsat. Also near Cilder R. stricta Noted from near Olgunlar in 1992 - probably some mixed in with R. elephas in other locations Verbascum alpigenum Scattered in meadows and forest margins, west side of Cam Gecidi V. georgicum Yaylarlar V. ovalifolius Nominate. Woodland fringes 10km east of Savsat V. speciosum Yaylarlar - on river gravels. V. spectabile Open rocky ground at Sumela Linaria genistifolia Subsp. artvinensis . 2-3km east along Savsat road from Coruh valley main road - this subspecies is apparently restricted to a very small area of this valley. Kickxia elatina Coruh Gorge, 10km north of Artvin Digitalis ferruginea Subspecies schischkinii - widespread Veronica anagallis -aquatica Wet depression in forest on west side of Cam Gecidi at c.1900m V. beccabunga Barhal V. filiformis Sumela, Hopa Veronica hortensis Yusufeli V. magza Sumela V. monticola Spicate. In turf near Dilber Duzu camp V. multifida Dry rocky slopes c. 500m below Yaylarlar V. officinalis Sumela V. oltensis V. orientalis Nominate. Sward below Dilber Duzu camp Veronica oxyptera (V. oxycarpa ?) - Above Yaylarlar V. peduncularis Rocky slopes in gulleys NE of Dilber Duzu camp V. telephiifolia Exceptionally beautiful species. Rocks, screes and lakesides from 2950 to the top of Kackar summit at 3900m Melampyrum arvense Subsp. elatius . Euphrasia amblyodonta ?Damp grassland and flushes around tree-line near Asagi Kavron E. hirtella Meadows 10km east of Savsat Euphrasia officinalis agg. Nominate and Subsp. pectinata at Sumela. Subsp minima var. davisii ? - rocky slopes and gulleys to NE of Dilber Duzu camp E. petiolaris Yaylarlar Odontites glutinosa Yaylarlar Rhinanthus angustifolius Nominate - Savsat. Subsp. grandiflorus - Dilber Duzu Pedicularis caucasica Igneous slopes below snow between Dilber Duzu camp and Lakes P. comosa Var. sibthorpii . Slopes around nameless lake at c. 3300m. Also screes below camp at c.2750m P. condensata Rocky slopes from Nazaf Yayla to above Dilber Duzu camp P. nordmanniana Startling red-flowered species. Common by streamsides from 2750m to 3300m on south side of divide P. pontica Dry slopes, rocky areas etc - common from 2750m to 3300m on S side of divide

Lentibulariaceae Pinguicula balcanica Subsp. pontica . Edge of streams around Dilber Duzu camp

Orobanchaceae Orobanche alba Cliff bases to the north of Dilber Duzu camp O. cilicica Cliff bases to the north of Dilber Duzu camp O. elatior Coruh

Morinaceae Morina persica Ravine by Georgian castle c.6km north of Yusufeli. In seed

Plantaginaceae Plantago atrata From Dilber Duzu up to 3200m - often by snowpatches P. lanceolata Sumela P. major Sumela P. media Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder P. scabra 10-15km south of Artvin

Caprifoliaceae Lonicera caucasica Subspecies orientalis - common in Euxine forests Sambucus edulis Common, e.g. Trabzon, Sumela, Barhal etc. S. nigra Sumela

Valerianaceae Valeriana alliarifolia Widespread and common V. leucophaeae Stream edge below camp Centranthus longifolius Common on lower Black Sea slopes, Lower Barhal Valley

Dipsacaceae Cephalaria aristata North side of Zigana Pass at c.1270m C. gigantea Yaylarlar. Subspecies grandiflora also noted there. Generally quite widespread Dipsacus laciniatus Coruh Gorge, 10km north of Artvin Dipsacus pilosus Sumela Knautia involucrata Runnels and gulleys in Euxine forest between Ayder and Asagi Kavron Scabiosa caucasica Common on east side of Cam Gecidi S. columbaria Subsp. ochroleuca . Meadows 10km east of Savsat. Var. intermedia - Dilber Duzu S. crinita Widespread

Campanulaceae Campanula alliarifolia White-flowered, upright. Widespread on Black Sea Coast C. aucheri Abundant on dry areas all around Dilber Duzu C. betulifolia White-flowered, often sprawling over rocks etc. Widespread in Euxine forest C. collina Screes near Dilber Duzu camp, 1992 only C. glomerata Meadows between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu C. lactiflora Tall. Pale blue-flowered - very variable. Widespread C. olympica Sumela C. rapunculoides Sumela C. scoparia Yaylarlar - not noted in 1996 C. seraglio Damp cliff face next to waterfall between Sarigol and Barhal - may be the locus classicus for this species - along with C. troegerae these represent very little known taxa C. stevenii Sumela. Nominate form around Dilber Duzu. C. tridentata Occasional on cliffs and rocky bluffs around Dilber Duzu C. troegerae On cliffs to the N of Dilber Duzu camp. Ravine by Georgian castle c.6km north of Yusufeli - may be the locus classicus for this species. Asyneuma amplexicaule Meadows between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu - both Var. amplexicaule and Var. angustifolium present

Compositae Bellis perennis Sumela Erigeron acer Subsp. polytrichus - Yaylarlar, Barhal E. annuus Roadside near Camlihemsin E. caucasicus Nominate - Yaylarlar. Aster alpinus Noted from Dilber Duzu camp upwards. Commoner above 3000m A. amellus Subsp. ibericus . Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder Gnaphalium luteo -album Roadside near Camlihemsin G. stewartii Screes around Dilber Duzu camp and higher snowmelt areas. Cam Gecidi G. sylvaticum Dilber Duzu, Cam Gecidi Helichrysum pallasi Lower Barhal Valley. Steppe E of Dilber Duzu camp H. plicatum Nominate. South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m Inula britannica Scattered in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road I. helenium Subspecies turconecemosa . Barhal Valley. Subsp. orgyalis ? - Savsat I. oculus -christii Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi I. orientalis Patch in steep gully NE of Dilber Duzu camp Pulicaria dysenterica Yusufeli Picnanthus cacaulifolia Sumela Telekia speciosa Sumela Doronicum dolochotrichium Streamsides and wet screes around Dilber Duzu Bidens tripartita Lower Euxine forest, Barhal Xanthium spinosum Common around Yusufeli X. strumarium Nominate. Anthemis marscheilliana Subsp pectinata . Dry rocky turf near camp at Dilber Duzu A. melanoloma Subsp. trapezantica . Dry rocky turf near camp at Dilber Duzu Tripleurospernum caucasicum Sward near camp at Dilber Duzu T. transcaucasicum Bluffs above Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi Achillea biserrata Tanacetum argenteum Subsp. canum - Yaylarlar T. balsamita Subsp. balsamitoides . Kackar. Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi Tanacetum macrophyllum T. poteriifolium Sumela Eupatorium cannabinum Common, e.g. Barhal Leucanthemum vulgare Sumela Tussilago farfara Barhal Petasites albus Sumela Antennaria dioica 1992 - top of Cam Gecidi Solidago virgaurea Nominate - Savsat. Subsp. alpestris - Cliffs at Dilber Duzu camp Senecio cilicium S. ovatifolius ?Gulleys around Dilber Duzu camp S. platyphyllus Nominate. Reasonably frequent above Yaylarlar to 3000m. Var. glandulosus - Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron S. pseudo -orientalis Gulleys around Dilber Duzu camp S. taraxacifolius Screes and rocky slopes between 2600m and 3400m around Dilber Duzu S. vernalis Scattered around camp at Dilber Duzu S. viscosus South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m. Yaylarlar Artemesia absinthium Cam Gecidi Carlina vulgaris Barhal Xeranthemum annuum Common in drier areas Arctium platylepis Sumela Jurinea moschus Subsp. pinnatisecta . Around 3300m near Deniz Golu Carduus lanuginosus Meadows below Dilber Duzu C. newaschinides Cam Gecidi C. nutans Cam Gecidi Cirsium arvense Subsp. ventitum ? - Yaylarlar C. hypoleucum South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m C. kosmelii Grazed turf at c.2100, 3.5km east of Cam Gecidi C. obvallatum Cam Gecidi C. pseudopersonata Subsp. kuznezowianum . Ayder. Nominate at Sumela C. pubigenum Var. glomeratum . By streams from Yaylarlar to 2900m C. rhizocephalum Subsp. sinuatum . Scree between Dilber Duzu and Deniz Golu C. simplex Subsp. armenum . S-facing slopes and gulleys near Dilber Duzu camp. Subsp. simplex - Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi Picnomon acernia Barhal Valley Onopordum acanthium Cam Gecidi Centaurea aggregata South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m C. appendicigera Beautiful large cream-flowered species found in open dry areas, screes, gravelly flats etc. from Dilber Duzu camp to c. 3300m, commonest around 3000-3200m C. armena In meadows between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu C. carduiformis Subsp. orientalis . Dry rocky slopes c. 500m below Yaylarlar C. cheiranthifolia Subsp. purpurascens . Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi C. iberica 2-3km east along Savsat road from Coruh valley main road C. macrocephala Scattered on both west and east slopes of Cam Gecidi C. nigrifimbria ?Gulleys by stream NE of Dilber Duzu camp C. pulcherrima Nominate. Bousanquet's Valley, c. 5km east of Cam Gecidi C. simplicicaulis Cliffs and gulleys NE of Dilber Duzu camp C. triumfettii ?Gulley NW of Dilber Duzu camp Cichorium intybus Barhal Cicerbita bourgaei Sumela C. racemosa ?Above Yaylarlar Prenanthes abietina Runnels and gulleys in Euxine forest between Ayder and Asagi Kavron Hedypnois cretica Barhal Valley Hieracium ovalifrons West side of Cam Gecidi Hieracium spp. H. umbellatum - Lower Euxine forests H. rigens Sumela Scorzonera cana Subsp. alpina . c.3000m near Deniz Golu Tragopogon aureus Yaylarlar. Also near stream at Dilber Duzu camp T. reticulatus Near water in and around Dilber Duzu camp Reichardia glauca Taraxacum bithynicum At 3300m near Deniz Golu T. crepidiforme Frequent on south side of divide Crepis conyzifolia Subsp. djimilense . Meadows below Dilber Duzu camp C. paludosa Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron C. sancta Around Ayder Pilosella echinoides Steppe NE of Dilber Duzu camp - 1992 P. happeana Above Yaylarlar P. X macrotricha Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron Lactuca viminea Lapsana communis Subsp. grandiflora - Sumela, Yaylarlar Mycelis muralis Sumela, Barhal, forested slopes of Cam Gecidi

Monocotyledons

Alismataceae Alisma plantago -aquatica Wet depression in forest on west side of Cam Gecidi at c.1900m

Lemnaceae Lemna minor Wet depression in forest on west slope of Cam Gecidi at c.1900m

Potamogetonaceae Potamogeton natans Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder

Commelaceae Commelina communis

Liliaceae Narthecium balansae Rare. Runnels and gulleys in Euxine forest between Ayder and Asagi Kavron Gagea fistulosa By reent snowmelt between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu G. glacialis By streams and near snowmelt - 2600m to 3300m, south side of divide Colchicum szovitsii Patchily distributed above Yaylarlar to about 3200m Lilium ciliatum Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron L. kesselringianum Frequent in meadows 10km east of Savsat - just finished flowering! Lilium spp Noted below Zigana Pass - couldn't get close to it! Veratrum album Scattered in forest margins and meadows on north side of divide Fritillaria latifolia In fruit on grassy slopes and stabilised screes to the N and NE of Dilber Duzu camp F. minuta Grassy tops of scree slopes just N & NE of waterfall at E end of Dilber Duzu camp Ornithogalum narbonnense South side of Zigana Pass at c.1550m O. wieidemannii By recent snowmelt between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu Scilla winogradowii By recent snowmelt between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu Muscari aucheri Steppe slopes to NE of Dilber Duzu camp M. coeleste Dry rocky slopes c. 500m below Yaylarlar - in seed Polygonatum orientale Sumela P. verticillatum Runnels and gulleys in Euxine forest between Ayder and Asagi Kavron Paris incompleta A scatter of records in Euxine forest Allium atroviolaceum A. djimilense Meadows below Dilber Duzu camp A. ponticum A few plants in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road A. schaeroprasum Often dominant by streams, in wet turf and by snowmelt up tp 3200m, south side of divide A. tchihatschewii South side of Zigana pass, near stream crossing at c.1300m

Iridaceae Crocus scharojonii A few plants noted above Asagi Kavron - 1996. In 1992 noted below Karadeniz Golu

Sparganiaceae Sparganium emersum Cam Gecidi S. minimum Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder

Typhaceae Typha latifolia By Coruh River, 10km north of Artvin T. minima ??By Coruh River, 10km north of Artvin

Orchidaceae Epipactis persica A few plants noted in forests between 1600m and.2000m on west slope of Cam Gecidi E. veratrifolia A few plants in leaf in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road Corallorhiza trifida A few plants in seed under Pinus/Abies Euxine forest on the west side of Cam Gecidi Epipogium aphyllum c.100 plants noted in Pinus pinea /Abies nordmanniana forest at c.2000m on west slope of Cam Gecidi and c.60 plants at c.1650m at western foot of pass Neottia nidus -avis Frequent in Pinus /Abies forest on the western slopes of Cam Gecidi Goodyera repens Forested areas on Cam Gecidi Coeloglossum viride By streams above Nazaf and sunny screes and gulleys NE of camp at Dilber Duzu Gymnadenia conopsea Frequent on grassy tops to scree slopes to N and NE of Dilber Duzu camp. 1 noted about 1km north of Asagi Kavron Traunsteinera sphaerica 1 plant just finished flowering among R. caucasicum on very steep N-facing slope by main stream NE of Dilber Duzu camp at c. 2650m - Aug 2nd 1996. About 10th Aug 1992 on in flower at about 2850m below Karadeniz Golu Dactylorhiza euxina Var. euxina and markowitschii both between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu - but rather scarce - by streams D. iberica In flower - c. 20 plants plus many in seen - in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road D. umbrosa Many plants in seed in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road D. urvilleana Common in meadows and forest fringes up to 3000m on the north side of the divide - also between Barhal and Yaylarlar - going right up to near Dilber Duzu on the south side. Also Savsat area Orchis coriophora A few plants in seed in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road

Gramineae Dactylis glomerata Subsp. hispanica - screes at 2900m N of Dilber Duzu camp. Also Sumela Glyceria notata Sumela. Wet depression in forest on west slope of Cam Gecidi at c.1900m Alopecurus geniculatus Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder A. glacialis Rocky places etc, from camp to c. 3100m. Gradually replaced by A. laguroides with increase in altitude A. laguroides Rocky slopes, snowmelt etc. from camp to 3400m, south of divide Lolium perenne Campsite at the western foot of Cam Gecidi - near restaurant. On walls near Sumela Poa alpina Rocky areas from 2500m to 3200m, south of divide P. annua Sumela P. bulbosa The common 'vivaporous' grass to the south of the divide - normally in open areas with few competitors P. longifolia Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron P. nemoralis 1992 - Barhal Poa psychophila Dilber Duzu P. trivialis Campsite at the western foot of Cam Gecidi - near restaurant Cynosurus cristatus Sumela C. echinatus Barhal Briza media Yaylarlar Melica ciliata Nominate. M. uniflora Sumela Festuca airoides (part of F. ovina aggregate) - Cam Gecidi F. gigantea Sumela Agrostis capillaris Cam Gecidi A. stolonifera Yaylarlar, Ardahan Narduus stricta Dilber Duzu, Cam Gecidi Holcus lanatus Sumela Anthoxanthum odoratum Subsp. alpinum - screes and pastures near Dilber Duzu camp Bromus japonicus Subspecies japonicus . Lower Barhal Valley B. tectorum Lower Barhal Valley Bromopsis ramosa Barhal Brachypodium sylvaticum Sumela, Barhal Trisetum flavescens Sumela Helictotrichon argaeum S-facing bluffs near Dilber Duzu camp H. planiculme Steppe to N and NE of Dilber Duzu camp Phleum alpinum Common from 2000m to 3200m on south side of divide. Also on top of Cam Gecidi P. bertolonii Campsite at the western foot of Cam Gecidi - near restaurant P. montanum Above Yaylarlar Eragrostis barrelieri Arrhenatherum elatius Stipa pontica Steppe slopes and gulleys to NE of Dilber Duzu camp Anthraxon hispidus 10-15km south of Artvin Hemartria altissima Coastal route between Hopa and Rize Setaria glauca S. italica Barhal Valley Calamagrostis arundinacea Sumela C. pseudophragmites Barhal Valley Deschampsia flexuosa West side of Cam Gecidi - c.2000m Echinochloa crus -gallii Opismerius undulatifolius Phragmites australis Yusufeli

Juncaceae Juncus alpigenus Near confluence of streams below Dilber Duzu camp J. articulatus Yaylarlar. Wet depression in forest on west slope of Cam Gecidi at c.1900m J. bufonius Yaylarlar J. bulbosus Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder J. effusus Lower Euxine forest J. filiformis Runnels and gulleys in Euxine forest between Ayder and Asagi Kavron J. inflexus Dripping cliffs - Sarigol and Barhal, also east of Savsat J. tenuis Lower Euxine forest Isolepis setacea Wetland on north side of road 10km east from Ardahan towards Cilder Eleocharis palustris One of the dominants in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road E. quinqueflora Scattered in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road Luzula forsteri Around Ayder L. pseudosudetica Bluffs by Dilber Duzu camp and grassy areas by high level lakes, south side of divide L. spicata Bluffs by Dilber Duzu camp and gravels by high level lakes, south side of divide. Cam Gecidi L. turcica Often associated with snowmelt communities - but down to 2900m in July

Cyperaceae Scirpus sylvaticus Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron. Barhal Holoschoenus vulgaris Ardahan Cyperus glaber Blysmus compressus Scattered in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road Triglochin maritmus A few tufts in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road T. palustris Frequent in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road Eriophorum latifolium Wet flushes and streamsides between Olgunlar and Dilber Duzu Carex acuta One of the dominants in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road C. atrata Meadows, wet places by streams and snowmelt from 2500m to 3400m, south of divide. Both Subsp atrata and aterrima around Deniz Golu and Nameless Lake C. capitellata Between Dilber Duzu camp and Deniz Golu C. divisa Subsp. leersii - widespread C. echinata Around Ayder, also abundant in wet flushes around Savsat C. hirta East of Savsat C. nigra Damp grassland and flushes around tree-line near Asagi Kavron. Wet depression in forest on west slope of Cam Gecidi at c.1900m C. orbicularis Subsp kotschyana var. caucasica . By ponds below Deniz Golu - c.3250m C. oreophila Snowmelt at high altitude above 3100m, south of divide C. ovalis Meadows below camp at Dilber Duzu. Wet depression in forest on west slope of Cam Gecidi at c.1900m C. panicea One of the dominants in wet flushes about 10km east of Savsat on the north side of the road C. pendula Around Ayder. Sumela C. remota Around Ayder C. sylvatica North side of Zigana Pass at c.1270m. Subsp. latifrons - Meadows and forest margins between Ayder and Asagi Kavron C. tristis Dilber Duzu Systematic List No. 3 Odonata, Orthoptera etc......

A) Odonata - with thanks to Brian Pettit for photographing and identifying them

Onychogomphus forcipatus Sympetrum pedimontanum Orthetrum brunneum

B) Mantises etc. - with thanks to Brian Pettit for identifying the following

Mantis religiosa Praying Mantis Empusa pennata

C) Grasshoppers and Bush Crickets - with thanks, once again, to Brian Pettit for the identifications, and for getting us all into 'grasshopper' mode at least some of the time!

Podisma pedestris Brown Mountain Grasshopper Possibly 2 other unidentified Podismas Calliptamus italicus Italian Locust Psophus stridulus Rattle Grasshopper Oedipoda caerulescens Blue-winged Grasshopper O. germanica Red-winged Grasshopper Acrida ungarica Common in Coruh Gorge below Artvin Bryodema tuberculata Speckled Grasshopper Arcyptera fusca Large-banded Grasshopper Omocestus viridulus Common Green Grasshopper O. haemorrhoidalis Orange-tipped Grasshopper Gomphocerus sibiricus Club-legged Grasshopper Nigel tells me this is subspecies 'transcaucasicus ' Chorthippus biguttulus Bow-winged Grasshopper C. mollis Lesser Field Grasshopper Not 100% certain Anacridium aegyptium Egyptian Grasshopper

Subfamily Tettigoniidae

Isophya Pyrenea Large Speckled Bush Cricket Barpoitistes serricauda Saw-tailed Bush Cricket B. constrictus Eastern Saw-tailed Bush Cricket Leptophyes albovittata Striped Bush Cricket Polysarcus denticauda Large Sword-tailed Bush Cricket Conocephalus discolor Long-winged Conehead Ruspolia nitidula Large Conehead Tettigonia cantans Upland Green Bush Cricket T. caudata Eastern Green Bush Cricket Decticus verrucivorus Wart Biter D. albifrons Platycleis albopunctata Grey Bush Cricket Possibly a different subspecies than that found in the UK - much larger here Hetrioptera roeselii Roesels Bush Cricket Pholidoptera aptera Alpine Dark Bush Cricket P. griseoaptera Dark Bush Cricket Possibly a different subspecies that that found in the UK - much larger here

Subfamily Ephippigerinae

Ephippiger ephippiger Saddle-back Bush Cricket

This is a provisional list as Brian says there are at least fifteen species within the Grasshoppers still to be identified as well as a number in the Ephippigerinae

Systematic List No. 4 Butterflies

The list on the following pages has been compiled by Nigel Sawyer. Most of the species have had their identifications confirmed from Photographs taken by Nigel Sawyer, although a few were identified purely by sight records.

One additional species not on the list but which I have photographs of, is, in all probability -

Marsh Fritillary Eurodryas aurinia subspecies bulgarica

Nigel, with the help of W. G. Trewewan from Cornwall, has also identified several Burnet Moths seen and photographed during the holiday. These are as follows -

Zygaena loti Slender Scotch Burnet The 'golden one' - common over much of the area we covered, particularly in the Kackar Zygaena doyncnii A widespread Turkish species Zygaena purpuralis Transparent Burnet Seen on the way to Dilber Duzu Zygaena lonicerae Narrow-bordered Five-spotted Burnet

Thanks Nigel!