Coastal plants
As you walk along the coastal road leaving Methoni,
the sandy beach becomes narrower and the road gives way to a track.
In fact, the road literally gives way as it is constanlty undermined by
the sea and more recently by the insertion of sewage pipes, much to the dismay of residents.
Better, if you are travelling by car, to use the main road which veers left before you enter Methoni.
The plants that grow along the shoreline or close by become vulnerable
if traffic increase or the coast is "tidied up" for tourism. Plants shown on this page are relatively common
- almost taken for granted here - like dandelions and daisies in the UK.
But that is precisely why they are so vulnerable. The papery stachys shows the typical features of plants that survive wind,
with its low growth, small flowers and leathery stem and leaves.
Stones are washed up from the sea in winter and form a stony barrier between the banks and the sand.
If an octopus has been feeding close by in the winter, clusters of small shells can be found.
It is illegal to remove "treasures" from the sea of course - finds should be declared
and there is an active shore patrol unit in the area.
In this warm, sunny climate, coastal garden walls are adorned with succulents.