Juniper & Queen Amalia's Maple plants received through the JAcer program

Last week, Philodassiki Society of Athens had the pleasure of receiving 11 plants as part of the JAcer program: Study of seed germination behavior for the conservation of two native woody species of Greece: the endangered juniper (Juniperus drupacea Labill.) and the endemic Queen Amalia's maple (Acer hyrcanum subsp. reginae-amaliae Orph. ex Boiss).

The program aims to study and conserve these two important species of Mount Parnon. The juniper is rare in Europe, while Queen Amalia's maple is an endemic species of Greece.

The program is supported by the Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency (NECCA) and aims to protect biodiversity.

Present at the delivery of the plants were the Scientific Manager of the JAcer program, Evangelia Daskalakou (Research Director at the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization "DEMETER"), the Technical Director of the Mt. Hymettus Aesthetic Forest, Nikos Pangas, and the Director of Philodassiki Society of Athens, Panos Kafousias.

Philodassiki Society of Athens, in collaboration with the JAcer program, will plant these species in the Mt. Hymettus Aesthetic Forest. The goal is to study their response to the specific conditions of this peri-urban forest. The results are expected to enhance our knowledge and, in turn, contribute to the preservation of our natural heritage.