The western part of Lesbos is volcanic in origin. Some 17 million years ago, an explosive eruption covered extended areas with ash, transforming the forest into a petrified forest. Along the road, one can see various petrified tree trunks being exposed by erosion. There is even a geo-park, the aim for today, as apart from the petrified trees the Lesbos orchid (Ophrys argiolica lesbis) can be found along the trails of the park. But alas, the park was closed... And the fencing of the park was so serious that no way one could slip in via the back door. But since plants normally don't mind fences, I hoped to find the orchid outside the park, so I searched a few slopes near the park - to no avail though. Luckily enough, later that day we did find the orchid, but in a different location.
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