Crete separated from mainland Greece approximately 5,000,000 years ago. This isolation, combined with the existence of large mountainous masses that served as botanical islands within the island itself, explains the high degree of endemism among its plants, as nearly one in ten plants is endemic.

Crete hosts over 1,700 different species. This richness is better understood when considering that England, with an area about 30 times larger, has fewer species and almost no endemics.

This book presents over 500 plants, the most representative of the island, ranging from the most common to the rarest. Small explanatory texts focusing on the botanical characteristics of the plants, mythological references, and often the etymology of their names, combined with numerous photographs, make this book an essential aid for any nature enthusiast.