This plant genus is one of the main reasons for our journey, and
therefore deserves our extra attention. Between 40 and 50
species are known up to now, most of which are only found in
Iran and Afghanistan. Most species grow especially on limestone,
and then usually vertically under overhanging rocks in narrow
crevices, especially in southwest or southeast position. The
altitude where most of these plants are found varies from about
1500-3500 meter. Most species grow in the Zagros mountains, this
mountain chain runs from the northwest of Iran in southeast
direction to near the city of Shiraz. Also further east in the
isolated mountain chains some Dionysia species are found.
Some more species are found in the Alborz Mountains, which lies
north and runs from west to east, the highest top being the
5671m. high Demavand.
Also in Oman one species of Dionysia grows, this is the only
species, which grows so far south. It is Dionysia mira, and this
species grows only on the highest tops of the Jebel Akhdar in
the north of Oman. However it is not a spectacular species, but
we do hope to find this plant during our stay in Oman. In recent
years new species have been found again and again and especially
in Iran. This is mainly because of late Iran has become more
accessible to foreign visitors. That means there is now also
more hope for Afghanistan. In the first place of course for the
people of Afghanistan, after years of misery we hope with all
our heart that a more stable time has come for them. Hopefully
in the future it will be possible to visit Afghanistan again,
and to go for a search for Dionysia! Besides the Dionysias found
in the wild, there are many cultivars "created" often very
beautiful. In this field Michael Kammerlander and Josef Mayr,
both from Germany have done much work.
But also in the UK, the homeland of alpine plant lovers, there
is much interest in Dionysia species.
In the seventies of the last century the well known Chris
Grey-Wilson and Tom Hewer went on an overland expedition by
Landrover to Iran and Afghanistan in the search for Dionysias.
And there is of course in England the Alpine Garden Society, to
many better known as the AGS. This society in its long existence
done many important things in the area of alpine and rock garden
plants. Even nowadays expeditions are organised to different
mountain areas to get a better understanding of alpine plants.
Also the AGS has published the book: The Genus Dionysia, written
by Chris Grey-Wilson. This book is still an important standard
work about the fascinating Dionysia genus, and is still
available. We hope during our return journey from Oman, around
March 2003, to stay a little longer in Iran. We want to travel,
starting in the south, slowly in northern direction through the
different mountains of Iran enabling us to travel with the spring.
This way we hope to find as many flowering plants as possible
of the different species of Dionysia.
Iran-UAE-Oman Tour
2002-2003
