The Olive Tree — A Symbol of Eternity in Teos

The olive tree has accompanied humans in this region since ancient times.
More than 2,000 years ago, during the Ionian era, the people of ancient Teos cultivated olives, produced oil, and traded it with other Greek cities.

In classical culture, the olive tree was seen as a symbol of wisdom, longevity, and peace.
Olive oil was used not only in food, but also in rituals, medicine, lighting, and body care.

Some of the olive trees growing on the grounds of HBT today may well be descendants of those very trees that once stood witness to the voices of philosophers, actors, and poets performing in the ancient theatre of Teos.

These thousand-year-old trees are more than just plants — they are living witnesses of history, still bearing fruit, reminding us of the deep connection between humans, the land, nature, and time.
Every twist in their trunks is like a line from an ancient message.

Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis)

One of the most common tree species along the Aegean coast.

Its light, airy canopy lets sunlight through, creating bright, “breathable” forests.

It has pale, flaky bark and long, slender needles.
Well adapted to drought and rocky soils, it is ideal for coastal climates.

The essential oils released by the tree have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system.

Lebanon Cedar (Cedrus libani)

A rarer but highly valued conifer in the region’s forests.

A symbol of resilience and grandeur, often mentioned in ancient texts.

It features a massive trunk, a dense dark green crown, and a pleasant resinous scent.

Slow-growing but long-lived, it can survive for centuries, forming stable forest ecosystems.

Thyme (Thymus spp.)

A low-growing plant with small leaves and purple flowers.
It has a strong, distinctive spicy aroma, especially intense under the sun.
Used in cooking, medicine, and as a valuable plant for bee pollination.

Sage (Salvia fruticosa or Salvia officinalis)

Silver-gray leaves with a warm, slightly bitter aroma.
Known for its antiseptic and tonic properties.
Often found growing along paths and hillsides.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

An evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves.
Its rich resinous and camphor-like aroma can be smelled from a distance.
A symbol of eternal memory and strength.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Less commonly found in the wild but widely cultivated in the region’s gardens.
Its blue-purple flower clusters emit a calming fragrance.
Loved by bees and used in perfumery and aromatherapy.

Myrtle (Myrtus communis)

A shrub with glossy dark green leaves and white or pinkish flowers.
Long regarded as a symbol of purity, love, and immortality in ancient culture.
Its aromatic leaves are used in cosmetics and perfumery.

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)

An evergreen shrub or tree with dense, aromatic foliage.
In Ancient Greece, laurel wreaths were awarded to poets and victors.
It possesses antiseptic and tonic properties.

Wild Pomegranate (Punica granatum var. protopunica)

A low-growing shrub with bright scarlet flowers and small sour fruits.
Attracts pollinating insects and delights the eye during the spring and summer seasons.
Considered a symbol of fertility and abundance.

Juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus, Juniperus phoenicea)

A coniferous shrub with a sharp, resinous aroma and blue-black berries.
In ancient times, it was used as a natural antiseptic and for fumigation.
It has the ability to purify the air and soil, strengthening the ecosystem.

Poppies (Papaver rhoeas)

Bright red petals on thin stems — a symbol of spring and freedom.
They bloom in March–April, especially after rains.
They attract bees and other pollinators and are important for biodiversity.

Anemones (Anemone coronaria)

White, pink, purple, and red flowers with dark centers.
Delicate petals bloom in sunny clearings.
In mythology, they are associated with sorrowful beauty and the cycle of life in nature.

Cyclamens (Cyclamen coum)

Small flowers with curved petals — white, pink, or purple.
They appear in February–March under trees and in the shade of rocks.
Traditionally considered a symbol of modest, hidden beauty.

Sideritis lycia (Lycia Mountain Tea)

A warmth-loving plant with silvery leaves and yellow flowers, found on rocky slopes.
Used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory remedy.

Salvia smyrnaea (Smyrna Sage)

An endemic plant of the coastal slopes around İzmir and Teos.
Attracts bees and butterflies, especially during dry periods.

Stachys cretica subsp. smyrnaea (Smyrna Woundwort)

It blooms with violet-pink flower clusters and is most commonly found in the shade of pine forests.
Valued for its essential oils and decorative appearance.

Helichrysum orientale (Eastern Everlasting)

Known for its dry golden flowers.
Retains its shape and color even after being cut, symbolizing "eternal life."
Commonly found in the Teos and Sığacık areas.

Centaurea lycia (Lycia Cornflower)

A sun-loving plant with bright blue flowers.
Grows on limestone soils in hard-to-reach places.