Taygetos has more than 1,000 plant species, about 100 found only in Greece and 33 only here. Climbing the mountain you pass four zones: Mediterranean scrub up to 700 m, black pine and fir forests up to 1,800 m, low subalpine shrubs, and above 2,000 m bare rocky meadows. Look out for orchids, crocuses and the local columbine Aquilegia ottonis.
Parnon has around 900–1,000 species, including forests of Greek fir and black pine, the rare Syrian juniper and local endemics such as the Parnon violet. Spring is the peak season for flowers.