RESEARCH SYNOPSIS

Taygetus belongs to the areas with the largest numbers of endemic and rare plants. According to Georgakakis et al (2011), Taygetus is home to 155 Greek endemic taxa, 26 of which are local endemic. According to Papastergiadou (1998), Taygetus is one of the most important areas for plants belonging to the Natura Network, making it the area with the largest number of endemic plants.

The study and collaboration between the various entities ensures:

• The protection of the genetic material
• The sustainable use of the genetic material
• The resolution of problems connected with cultivation (large number of impinging factors), processing, and trade

Given the above, the program contributed to the achievement of our national goal to preserve biodiversity, as it has been outlined by the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

This project centered on the study of specific aromatic/medicinal plants (catnip – Nepetacamforata, mountain tea – Sideritisclandestina, and St. John’s wort – Hypericumperforatum) that grow on Taygetus and are in danger of becoming extinct, or are found in small quantities, but are endowed with rare medicinal properties. The Technological Educational Institute of Peloponnese took on the biochemical analysis of the plant tissues, as well as the task of creating reproduction and cultivation protocols which will allow them to be utilized in an orderly way by local community farmer groups. Moreover, efforts were made to establish collaborations with plant or medicinal products processing-production companies, as well as promotion companies, with the aim of supporting and reinforcing local primary production via contract farming.