Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Blogs and Diaries => Topic started by: Hoy on July 30, 2017, 08:25:46 AM
-
Rallarvegen is a construction road used when the Oslo - Bergen Railway was built in the mountains between Haugastøl in east and Myrdal in west. The road is about 90 km long from Haugastøl (inland) to Flåm (at the Aurlandsfjorden, part of Sognefjorden). The Oslo - Bergen railway was completed in 1909. (The first stretch was opened in 1883.)
Now the "road", or trail, is a popular bicycle tour in summer. It is several places along the trail to stay overnight so you don't need to cycle (or walk) all in one day!
"Rallar" is a railway worker.
This is not about cycling but shows some plants and vistas along the road.
Silene dioica. This is a common species along the trail.
[attachimg=1]
Sedges - it is many different species here.
[attachimg=2]
Polygonum viviparum. Usually the flowers are whitish. Some still use it as food!
[attachimg=3]
Alchemilla sp. Several apomictic species are described . . .
[attachimg=4]
Ranunculus acris - a very variable species, and Geranium sylvaticum. The trail can be seen in the upper left corner.
[attachimg=5]
-
Salix species, Rhodiola rosea and geraniums.
[attachimg=1]
Rock formations.
[attachimg=2]
Salix species and fireweed not in flower yet.
[attachimg=3]
Silene acaulis. An early bloomer and some were still in flower.
[attachimg=4]
Mouse ear, Salix herbacea male plants in flower.
[attachimg=5]
-
Salix glauca
[attachimg=1]
Bartsia alpina
[attachimg=2]
Micranthes (Saxifraga) stellaris. Two colour forms.
[attachimg=3]
[attachimg=4]
A war is going on! The yellow moss slowly covers the other ones seemingly without resistance.
[attachimg=5]
-
It is still a lot of snow at this time of the year.
[attachimg=1]
Salix lapponum
[attachimg=2]
Buttercups. Lake Sandå is open.
[attachimg=3]
Other lakes are still covered by ice.
[attachimg=4]
Buttercups and dandelions.
[attachimg=5]
To be continued . .
-
A very pleasing trail - if a bit chilly in places!
-
A very pleasing trail - if a bit chilly in places!
Very pleasing. It wasn't as cold as it looks - we had about 9C and you stay warm if you use wool!
-
Hi Trond,
What a fascinating area. It seems well above treeline. What is the elevation? Is there always lingering snow in July or was the winter snowfall especially heavy this past season?
I could not help but notice the crustose lichens on the rocks. What sort of diversity is there? I noticed several different types on the rocks. The location seems like it would also be a haven for Mosses and other Bryophytes. Do you see many species?
-
Hi Trond,
What a fascinating area. It seems well above treeline. What is the elevation? Is there always lingering snow in July or was the winter snowfall especially heavy this past season?
I could not help but notice the crustose lichens on the rocks. What sort of diversity is there? I noticed several different types on the rocks. The location seems like it would also be a haven for Mosses and other Bryophytes. Do you see many species?
Robert,
Sorry I forgot to mention the elevation. At Haugastøl it is about 1000m and the treeline is ca 1100m. Finse railway station is at 1222m. The highest point at the road is 1343m. Myrdal railway station is at 870m. Here a the western ide of the mountains the treeline is slightly lower.
It is always lingering now up here although it differs from one year to the next how much it is. We had to cross 15-20 patches of snow (snøfenner as we call it). Some of them several meters deep still.
It is many crustose and other types of lichens although I know next to nothing about them (1976 species are known from Norway - so far). It is also a lot of mosses and other bryophytes but I am not better on them. I am sorry I didn't take many pictures of lichen etc at this trip.
-
Antennaria alpina. Two species are common here, this one and A. dioica which usually are found at a slightly lower altitude.
[attachimg=1]
Rhodiola rosea. This species is common high up in the mountains but it also grows along the coast and in the far north. One of the many Taraxacum species is also in flower.
[attachimg=2]
Cerastium alpinum.
[attachimg=3]
Silene suecica (syn Lychnis alpina etc!) This plant indicates heavy metals like copper in the ground. The lichen is a Cladonia, possibly C arbuscula.
[attachimg=4]
An albino Silene dioica.
[attachimg=5]
-
Saxifraga stellata. This species is one of the commoner of the genus. It is found in wet or moist habitats almost from sea level to the highest mountains.
[attachimg=1]
A little meadow at 1200m. Silene dioica, Ranunculus acris and Geranium sylvaticum in flower.
[attachimg=2]
A yellow form of Rhodiola rosea. These are usually male flowers. The ground is glaciofluviale deposits consisting of sand, silt and rounded rocks of different origins.
[attachimg=3]
Sibbaldia procumbens - a common but rather modest plant. I like it!
[attachimg=4]
Typical habitat for Silene suecica.
[attachimg=5]
-
Silene suecica
[attachimg=1]
Oxyria digyna
[attachimg=2]
Lake Låghellervatnet, 1180m
[attachimg=3]
Myosotis decumbens
[attachimg=4]
Gnaphalium norvegicum
[attachimg=5]
-
We have passed the highest point at the trail at 1343m at Fagernut. Now we are getting down to the low alpine zone.
Trientalis euopaea
[attachimg=1]
Viola palustris. Like many plants in Norway, you'll it them from the coast and up to at least the low alpine zone. Leaves of Alchemilla alpina.
[attachimg=2]
A pink version of Trientalis europaea.
[attachimg=3]
Phleum alpinum
[attachimg=4]
Melampyrum pratense. An unusual colour form. Usually they are yellow.
[attachimg=5]
To be continued..
-
Ooh, I've been looking for a white form of Silene dioica to grow in my garden but I have not yet found a nursery that stocks it. The white campion that grows wild locally is Silene latifolia, which is biennial. I'm also interested in what variability you see in Ranunculus acris. Usually this has very finely-divided leaves but strangely the long-established flore pleno form doesn't. There is also a pale cream form in cultivation.
-
Hoy you have brought back memories. It is many years since we travelled by Norwegian Railways on the Flam railroad. The only train I know that stops en route for everyone to get off and take a picture of the waterfall. (I'm talking of the days before digital cameras and phones).
-
Ooh, I've been looking for a white form of Silene dioica to grow in my garden but I have not yet found a nursery that stocks it. The white campion that grows wild locally is Silene latifolia, which is biennial. I'm also interested in what variability you see in Ranunculus acris. Usually this has very finely-divided leaves but strangely the long-established flore pleno form doesn't. There is also a pale cream form in cultivation.
At Finse railway station you can find all the colours from pure white to dark pink, almost red. I have never been there when the seeds are ripe though!
[attachimg=1]
I have never seen pleno forms in the wild but I know they can be found. I have seen excellent forms pictured. The montane forms I have seen usually have less divided leaves.
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
[attachimg=4]
[attachimg=5]
-
Hoy you have brought back memories. It is many years since we travelled by Norwegian Railways on the Flam railroad. The only train I know that stops en route for everyone to get off and take a picture of the waterfall. (I'm talking of the days before digital cameras and phones).
The train still stops! The Flåm railway is very popular among tourists.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
-
I have been reckoning up it was 37 years ago, quite frightening :o
-
Thanks, Hoy, really interesting.
At Finse railway station you can find all the colours from pure white to dark pink, almost red. I have never been there when the seeds are ripe though!
Received wisdom here is that the lighter colours are crosses between Silene dioica and Silene latifolia. In this thread some knowledgeable people explained to me how to tell the two species apart http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=15493.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=15493.0) . Does Silene latifolia grow wild in Norway?
I have never seen pleno forms in the wild but I know they can be found. I have seen excellent forms pictured. The montane forms I have seen usually have less divided leaves.
Me neither, but a few months ago I read a note from someone who found a flore pleno form of Ranunculus acris with the finely-divided leaves I might expect. Interesting to see the leaves of that montane form in your picture. Perhaps the widely-cultivated form of flore pleno originally came from up a mountain somewhere?
-
Thanks, Hoy, really interesting.
Received wisdom here is that the lighter colours are crosses between Silene dioica and Silene latifolia. In this thread some knowledgeable people explained to me how to tell the two species apart http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=15493.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=15493.0) . Does Silene latifolia grow wild in Norway?
Me neither, but a few months ago I read a note from someone who found a flore pleno form of Ranunculus acris with the finely-divided leaves I might expect. Interesting to see the leaves of that montane form in your picture. Perhaps the widely-cultivated form of flore pleno originally came from up a mountain somewhere?
Alan,
I can't say whether the plants at Finse are hybrids or not - but I assume they are not. S. latifolia alba is naturalized in Norway but rarer than S dioica. As Finse is a much visited railway station you never know what somebody might have brought with them.
I have recently seen a picture of a pleno form but I can't remember where. I think it was found in Northern Norway.
-
Very nice landscapes and flowers carpets, as Maggie pointed out it looks cold.
-
Very nice landscapes and flowers carpets, as Maggie pointed out it looks cold.
You have to walk or bike to keep warm, not looking at plants!
-
Arabidopsis arenosa. Usually they are smaller than this.
[attachimg=1]
Potentilla crantzii. "Shutting down" due to lack of sun.
[attachimg=2]
Scree. Unfortunately no time for investigating this exciting site. Had to reach the dinner!
[attachimg=3]
Salix reticulata, male.
[attachimg=4]
Polystichum lonchitis.
[attachimg=5]
-
Myosotis decumbens.
[attachimg=1]
A very small form of Saxifraga cotyledon.
[attachimg=2]
Saxifraga aizoides - yellow.
[attachimg=3]
The last flower of Dryas octopetala.
[attachimg=4]
Sax. aizoides - yellow/orange.
[attachimg=5]
-
Saxifraga aizoides is very variable. Here is an even darker form.
[attachimg=1]
The first tree (almost - we had seen some small birches). A rowan tree in flower.
[attachimg=2]
Moldå river.
[attachimg=3]
The rowan tree. The railway in the background.
[attachimg=4]
Vasps! Nobody out in the cold weather though!
[attachimg=5]
-
Pedicularis lapponica.
[attachimg=1]
The darkest S aizoides I've ever seen. Even the leaves was a little darker than usual.
[attachimg=2]
Somebody wants to raft?
[attachimg=3]
Stellaria nemorum. Nutrient deficiency?
[attachimg=4]
If I remember right this is Reinungavatn (lake Reinunga). The other alternative is Seltuftvatnet (lake Seltuft).
[attachimg=5]
-
Alan,
I can't say whether the plants at Finse are hybrids or not - but I assume they are not. S. latifolia alba is naturalized in Norway but rarer than S dioica. As Finse is a much visited railway station you never know what somebody might have brought with them.
There are 35 silene dioica cultivars listed in the RHS plant finder, including a pleno form called 'Firefly' with a PBR designation (see e.g. here https://www.bluebellcottage.co.uk/plants/SIL120-Silene-dioica-Firefly-PBR-Campion-Firefly (https://www.bluebellcottage.co.uk/plants/SIL120-Silene-dioica-Firefly-PBR-Campion-Firefly) ). But all the obtainable ones are the normal red or possibly pink. I grow a few of these and my favourite is a cultivar called 'Inane' which had reddish leaves, the normal 'red' flowers and which goes on flowering throughout the summer on long sprawling flower stems.
-
Wonderful pictures and plants Hoy, thank you.
-
It will take me a while to catch up with everything here Trond but I'm glad I've browsed your thread first - a bit of snow is not bad, especially when dressed well and keep moving, while when too hot there is nothing that can be done....I thought about this when hiking in Dobrogea (Romania) in late July under 40C. I definitely prefer the snowy option.
Very nice landscapes, as usual :)
-
Hi Trond,
It looks like a very interesting journey.The treeline in southern New Zealand is about 1100 metres so is comparable to Norway. I think our mountains are more rugged on the whole so there a lack of railways through them.
I guess all plants are native to somewhere; I am very familiar with Ranunculus acris as a pasture weed so I hope it is appreciated in its native home. (the same might be said for dandelions). Apart from that a very interesting flora especially the dwarf willows.
-
There are 35 silene dioica cultivars listed in the RHS plant finder, including a pleno form called 'Firefly' with a PBR designation (see e.g. here https://www.bluebellcottage.co.uk/plants/SIL120-Silene-dioica-Firefly-PBR-Campion-Firefly (https://www.bluebellcottage.co.uk/plants/SIL120-Silene-dioica-Firefly-PBR-Campion-Firefly) ). But all the obtainable ones are the normal red or possibly pink. I grow a few of these and my favourite is a cultivar called 'Inane' which had reddish leaves, the normal 'red' flowers and which goes on flowering throughout the summer on long sprawling flower stems.
Alan,
Silene dioica is very variable: I have seen plants with double flowers, white ones, all shades of red-pink and different petal forms. The stem can be long and sprawling as you say but also shorter with a denser habit. Only once have I collected a plant for garden use, it had very nice double flowers but the stem was long and sprawling. I have no idea whether the forms you find in the mountains will keep their denser habit in a lowland garden.
-
Wonderful pictures and plants Hoy, thank you.
My pleasure, thank you!
-
It will take me a while to catch up with everything here Trond but I'm glad I've browsed your thread first - a bit of snow is not bad, especially when dressed well and keep moving, while when too hot there is nothing that can be done....I thought about this when hiking in Dobrogea (Romania) in late July under 40C. I definitely prefer the snowy option.
Very nice landscapes, as usual :)
Gabriela,
I am looking forward to your report! And I agree: Hot weather is more difficult to do anything about 8)
-
Hi Trond,
It looks like a very interesting journey.The treeline in southern New Zealand is about 1100 metres so is comparable to Norway. I think our mountains are more rugged on the whole so there a lack of railways through them.
I guess all plants are native to somewhere; I am very familiar with Ranunculus acris as a pasture weed so I hope it is appreciated in its native home. (the same might be said for dandelions). Apart from that a very interesting flora especially the dwarf willows.
David,
Ranunculus acris is also a weed!
The mountains of Norway is very variable. The Hardangervidda where these pictures are from is a plateau, once (600 mill years ago) a peneplane at sea level or below. The Caledonian Orogeny lifted the peneplane and tilted it also. The highest mountains are in west (and NW), and they are also more rugged and alpine. The 20km long Flåm railway goes through a very steep valley from sea level at Flåm and up to Myrdal at 867m where it connects to the Bergen-Oslo railway. I have no pictures of this valley but the neighbour valley Aurlandsdalen.
Aurlandsdalen. Not far from Flåm and the railway. Very similar landscape except that Aurlandsdalen has just a footpath, neither road (the road is in a tunnel) nor railway!
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
The valley, or canyon, gets deeper when you go west.
[attachimg=4]
Flåm is located about at the blue mountain in the middle of the picture.
[attachimg=5]
-
The last picture from Myrdal: Cicerbita alpina
[attachimg=1]
-
Trond,
The photographs of your county are so beautiful!
The glacial evidence is very obvious. How glaciers can sculpture the land can be very dramatic. I wonder how this concept can be incorporated into our rock garden landscapes? I think that a waterfall would look out-of-place in our flat Sacramento garden, however the suggestion in a tough or large slab garden could be quite intriguing.
Compared to California it seems Norway has fewer species. Do you see much variation within the species? or maybe things are quite uniform???? Here in California, there can even be tremendous variation within a species.
-
I am very familiar with Ranunculus acris as a pasture weed ...
I wondered what harm this buttercup could do. There are some reports that when fresh it is poisonous to cattle but I found a note of a scientific test that did not support this http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjas62-021 (http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjas62-021) . Poisonous or not, a problem seems to be that cattle, at least some cattle, do not like the taste so avoid eating it and this reduces the productivity of the pasture. This is regarded as a serious problem in New Zealand yet do UK farmers think the same?
There are several cultivated forms of ranunculus acris including a flore pleno form and a lemon yellow form. I have tried to grow them but my garden is too dry for them to survive as they seem to need soil that is more moist than our other native buttercups require.