The island’s climate is Mediterranean, with warm summers and mild but humid winters. The types flora which flourish in Kythera stand up to the dry summer, the mild winter and the low altitude of the altitude. Kythera is home to approximately 800 types of flora. These are mainly semi-bushes such as Poterium Spinosum, Genista Acantoclada, Euphorbia, Salvia, Phlomis Fruticosa, Olea Oleaster, Pistacia Lentiscus, Galycotome Villosa, Erica, Thymus Capitatus, Myrtus Communis, Lonicera Etrusca. The trees commonly found on the island are: Juniperus Phoenicea, Ceratonia Siliqua, Platanus Orientalis, Cupressus Sempervirens, Olea Europaea, Prunus Dulcis, Ficus Carica. During the last century, new species were planted on the island such as pines, eucalyptus, poplars and others. A large number of endemic plants also exist in Kythera. These are mainly a large variety of herbs, for which the island is very well known.
Herbs
The island is rich in herbs. Herbs are considered very important for their therapeutic abilities and are included, even today, in the local people’s nutritional habits. Examples are thyme, balsam, savory, penny-royal, mallow, sage, hollyhock, chamomile, rosemary, rue, gherkin.
