Flora

In the wider region of the White Mountains, approximately 650 floral taxa have been recorded.

The floristic list, of the White Mountains, however, has not yet been completed, as this is confirmed by the description of a new species, Anthemis samariensis (Turland N.J.), a perennial chasmophyte, discovered in 2007, on a steep slope of the White Mountains, between the summits of Melidaou and Avlimanakos. In the White Mountains, 25 stenoendemic species (species exclusive to the area in which they grow) and 97 endemic species of Crete are encountered. The half of the endemic species of Crete, are found in the region of the White Mountains.

Characteristic species are:

• Bupleurum kakiskalae, a perennial species that grows at the site of Kakia Skala of summit Linoseli, lives up to 12 years, flowers and produces fruits, only once and then it dies. (monocarpic)
• The orchid Cephalanthera cucullata, a perennial herbaceous plant with short creeping rhizome, found at altitudes of 700-1500 meters.

·         Nepeta sphaciotica, a perennial aromatic shrub and endemic of the White Mountains, which grows only on the northern side of summit Svourichti, at altitudes of 2200-2300 meters, and nowhere else in the world.

In the region, aromatic, medicinal and edible species are also encountered:

• Malotera (mountain tea) Sideritis syriaca subsp. syriaca, an endemic species of Crete.
• Marjoram (Origanum microphyllum), a phrygana with a characteristic scent.
• Petrofilia (Petromarula pinnata), a very beautiful endemic plant that grows on rocky slopes.
• Dittany or erontas (Origanum dictamnus), an endemic species, which is considered a medicine for many diseases, since ancient times.
• Agrambeli of the White Mountains (Clematis elisabethae – carolae) that grows only in two locations on Amoutsera (1850 m), and on eroded limestone slopes.
• Hypericum aciferum, a chasmophytic shrub, endemic to the White Mountains, that grows on coastal rocks in the area of Sfakia, between Sougia and Ayia Roumeli (Fournoti beach).
• Ranunculus radinotrichus, an endemic species of the White Mountains, small perennial plant that grows only on Mts Trocharis, Amoutsera, Kakovoli and Svourichti, at altitudes of 1850-2300 m.
• Anthemis samariensis, an endemic species of Crete, that was recently discovered (2007), on a steep slope of the White Mountains, between Mts Melidaou and Avlimanakou.
• Myosotis solange, an endemic and rare species of the White Mountains, that grows only in one location on Mount Agio Pneuma.
• Helichrysum heldreichii, an endemic species of the White Mountains, threatened and protected by P.D. 67/1981.
• Thlaspi zaffranii, an endemic species of the region, which has been recorded in three sites (Gkigkilos, Volakias, and Anopoli of Sfakia).
• Centaurea lancifolia, an endemic species of Crete, which populations are traced in 3 sites of the White Mountains. It is a chasmophyte that grows at altitudes of 1780-1850 m.
• Centranthus sieberii, a rare and endemic species of the White Mountains that grows in rocky sites of the mountainous and alpine zones.
• Cuscuta atrans, a parasitic species that grows on thorn bushes, and endemic  of the White Mountains.
• Cynoglossum sphacioticum that grows on rocky soils at high altitudes.
• Euphorbia rechingeri, dwarf endemic species of the White Mountains, that grows at high altitudes and on rocky soils and cracks.
• Onobrychis sphaciotica, a rare and endemic species of the White Mountains, that grows in rocky sites.