Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Plant Life, by H. H. Gran
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grow in tussocks, or hide their branches among the lichens, so that
only the leaves show above them (Betula nana, Juniperus
communis var. nana, Salix reticulata, herbacea, polaris).
The herbaceous arctic plants grow in the lichen zone, the
willow zone and the birch zone, indeed, several of them are found
even lower down than the upper limit of the conifers. Arctic
plants are almost exclusively perennials, which often grow in dense
tufts. As characteristic plants may be named the pretty,
white-blossomed Dryas octopetala — which grows in some places like a
thick mat — and several species of the genus Gentiana, among
which is the little Gentiana nivalis, recalling, by its deep blue
colour, its relatives in the Alps of Central Europe.
The arctic heaths are also characteristic of the mountains.
They have tough, woody branches, forming dense tufts; the leaves
are generally small and narrow, almost acicular. In July and
August the tufts are covered with flowers of a red or white hue.
We may mention the pretty little white Andromeda hypnoides,
Azalea procumbens with rose-coloured flowers, and Phyllodoce cærulea,
with rather large, reddish purple bells.
Among other characteristic plants we will mention the
saxifrages, first and foremost the stately Saxifraga Cotyledon with its
bunches of white flowers, which adorns the clefts in the
precipitous rocks, where it is often almost inaccessible, the yellow
Saxifraga aizoides, and the early spring plant, Saxifraga oppositifolia.
The last-named has small, thick, imbricate leaves, which secrete
carbonate of lime from a gland on the upper surface. Its reddish
purple flowers unfold as soon as the snow disappears.
This plant belongs to the species that can live at the very
top of the mountains. It is found right up to the limit of
perpetual snow, about 6000 feet above the sea. It is only a few
species that can thrive at this height. Among the stones there
are a few blackish brown mosses (Andreæa) and on the mountain
itself grow some crusty lichens, such as the well-known yellow
Lecidea geographica. Here and there a little saxifrage is visible
or a small tuft of grass or rushes, especially Luzula spicata, or the
white Ranunculus glacialis. This interesting plant is found more
especially on the highest mountains; it appears to thrive best
where its roots can be continually moistened with water from the
glaciers. Its distribution is over the same tracts as those which
the reindeer frequents, and it is eaten with partiality by that
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