It is incredible how vegetation and the paths of Crete are connected with the economy, mythology, religion and medicine from ancient times until today. The focus spot of nature observation couldn’t be other from “Ida” or “Psiloritis” Mountain, a place where the secrets of life and nature have been preserved for hundreds of centuries, as well as the unique Axos village which lies on its foothills. Herodotus mentions Axos "as one of the most important Cretan towns".
Orange trees, olive trees and carobs coexist with rare plants and herbs on top of Mount Psiloritis. In additional, grapevines, pears, apples, avocadoes and watermelons flourish every year. Cyclamen, many native orchids as the Cretan “Kephalantiro” and the Cretan orchid called “Lipitero”, hundreds of other herbs and aromatic plants offer a botanic paradise mainly between March and September. The mountain itself is renowned for the marvelous flora and fauna, unique geological formations as rock beds, caves, gorges and plateaus. It has been officially characterized by UNESCO as a Natural Park. More significant the gorge of Patsos and Gafaris presents a significant botanical interest. The famous “Erontas” or “Stomatohorto” was used in ancient time as a wound-healing agent, according to Hippocrates. “Manjoram” is used mainly in medical, ideal for nervous disorders since antiquity. It has similar properties to thyme. And of course “Malotira” known all over Greece as the “mountain tea”. As well as, in the gorges of Vorizia and Kamares villages, "dictamus" the plant symbol of Crete flourishes.
