Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Blogs and Diaries => Topic started by: Hoy on July 20, 2020, 09:41:37 PM

Title: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 20, 2020, 09:41:37 PM
I usually spend a lot of time in the low mountains in south-east Norway. It is not a very rich area but some nice plants can be found.The area is between 700 and 1200m asl. and covered by mixed forest up to about 1000m. The forest consist mostly of spruce (Picea abies), pine (Pinus sylvestris) and birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii). The climate is rather dry to be in Norway, and the valley (Hallingdal) near by is among the warmest sites in the country.

Here are some of the plants from last week:

[attachimg=1]

Hieracium lactucella

[attachimg=2]

Myosotis decumbens. Prefer somewhat moist sites.

[attachimg=3]

Same as above, colour variant.

[attachimg=4]

Astragalus alpinus

[attachimg=5]

Viola palustris

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 20, 2020, 10:04:21 PM
Some dandelions and a wintergreen.

These are 3 different dandelion species.

[attachimg=1]


[attachimg=2]


[attachimg=3]


The next two are Pyrola norvegica

[attachimg=4]


[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on July 20, 2020, 11:15:31 PM
Trond,

Do you ever have photographs of the terrain-landscape where these plants grow?

Maybe they grow in waste areas where it is ugly? Or an uninteresting residential area?

Anyway, thank you for sharing the photographs.  8)   :)  Some of the plants pictured are similar to species that we would only see in the higher portions of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 21, 2020, 07:56:29 AM
Trond,

Do you ever have photographs of the terrain-landscape where these plants grow?

Maybe they grow in waste areas where it is ugly? Or an uninteresting residential area?

Anyway, thank you for sharing the photographs.  8)   :)  Some of the plants pictured are similar to species that we would only see in the higher portions of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Robert,

I do photograph the landscape also! You'll see later ;)

This is at the forest limit so it is "high" although not in meters (or feet)!

These are from early June:


[attachimg=1]

Looking south: The Dagali mountains.


[attachimg=2]

Looking north: The Hemsedal area.


[attachimg=3]

This is an old peneplain, what's left after the erosion of the Caledonian mountain range.


[attachimg=4]

Norway spruce (Picea abies) is common at the tree line.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 21, 2020, 08:12:55 AM
More flowers from July:

[attachimg=1]

Trientalis europaea. This is common from the seaside to well above 1200m.


[attachimg=2]

Moneses uniflora. This one is also common here, but it doesn't flower each year. Out of flower it is easily missed.


[attachimg=3]

Moneses uniflora "Olavsstake" (the candlestick of Olav)


[attachimg=4]

Sibbaldia procumbens. Very common where the snow linger.


[attachimg=5]

Linnaea borealis. Also very common here.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 21, 2020, 08:23:54 AM
[attachimg=1]

Coeloglossum viride. The commonest orchid up here. It is tiny though!


[attachimg=2]

Viola canina. Usually an early bloomer but here the snow has just disappeared.


[attachimg=3]

Selaginella selaginoides


[attachimg=4]

Veronica alpina


[attachimg=5]

Maianthemum bifolium. Also very common.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 21, 2020, 08:31:52 AM
[attachimg=1]

Silene dioica. It is usually in flower early but some individuals continue during the summer. One of the few with this colour in Norway. The other one is Geranium sylvaticum.


[attachimg=2]

A bad picture. This species is rare here but common elsewhere in the mountains. Ranunculus platanifolius.


[attachimg=3]

Pedicularis lapponica. Not in flower every year.


[attachimg=4]

Sagina saginoides. A tiny species! Easily overlooked.


[attachimg=5]

Geranium sylvaticum is very common everywhere. It is a lot of variation in flower colour and -form.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Maggi Young on July 21, 2020, 10:38:53 AM
Tremendous thread, Trond!
 Three of  my  favourite  plants  in one  post: Linnaea borealis, Moneses uniflora and  Trientalis europaea !  A wonderful "hat-trick"!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on July 21, 2020, 02:25:55 PM
Very nice Trond. I like a lot  the open landscapes views you often show from Norway mountains.

It is rare to see the beautiful Moneses in big numbers, it must be a very nicely preserved area.
I spot with my little eye some Pinguicula leaves in the Selaginella picture? :)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: David Nicholson on July 21, 2020, 03:45:57 PM
Very interesting thread Trond.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 21, 2020, 04:06:03 PM
Tremendous thread, Trond!
 Three of  my  favourite  plants  in one  post: Linnaea borealis, Moneses uniflora and  Trientalis europaea !  A wonderful "hat-trick"!

Thank you very much Maggie!

Do you have your favorites growing wild close to where you live? I reckon they are native in Scotland also.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 21, 2020, 04:19:23 PM
Very nice Trond. I like a lot  the open landscapes views you often show from Norway mountains.

It is rare to see the beautiful Moneses in big numbers, it must be a very nicely preserved area.
I spot with my little eye some Pinguicula leaves in the Selaginella picture? :)

Thank you Gabriela!

The open landscape above treeline were previously used by livestock. The animals were shepherded by little boys during summer. At that time the forest line was much lower. The last 50 years only sheep have grazed the area. It is also a lot of cabins and chalets up here, most of them built the last 20 years. Some places look like towns.

And yes, it is rare to see hundreds of Moneses at once, it doesn't happen every year. But in the 10s is more common.

Pinguicula vulgaris is also very common. Here is an uncommon colour I spotted.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 21, 2020, 04:20:16 PM
Very interesting thread Trond.

Thank you David!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Maggi Young on July 21, 2020, 05:17:03 PM
Thank you very much Maggie!

Do you have your favorites growing wild close to where you live? I reckon they are native in Scotland also.
  The  Linnaea is  the  hardest  to find - only  in a  few  areas  and  being  so tiny is' tough to find  it  even  if  you know  where to look! The  other  two are  a  bit easier  to see but  the  Moneses  isn't  plentiful at the  best  of times.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Mariette on July 21, 2020, 09:08:39 PM
Thank You for Your impressing pictures and information, Trond! I like the way You appreciate the flora of Your home country. In Sweden, I´ve seen Linnea borealis only once - its habitat there is severely reduced by the industrialized forrestry management. The bicoloured Pinguicula You discovered is of special beauty!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: ian mcdonald on July 21, 2020, 10:20:35 PM
Thanks for your pictures Trond. Over here pine forests are the home of some of yours.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on July 22, 2020, 12:57:43 AM
Thank you Gabriela!

The open landscape above treeline were previously used by livestock. The animals were shepherded by little boys during summer. At that time the forest line was much lower. The last 50 years only sheep have grazed the area. It is also a lot of cabins and chalets up here, most of them built the last 20 years. Some places look like towns.

And yes, it is rare to see hundreds of Moneses at once, it doesn't happen every year. But in the 10s is more common.

Pinguicula vulgaris is also very common. Here is an uncommon colour I spotted.

Very nice two-colors Pinguicula vulgaris! I've never found one like this, just the regular.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 22, 2020, 08:57:10 AM
Thank You for Your impressing pictures and information, Trond! I like the way You appreciate the flora of Your home country. In Sweden, I´ve seen Linnea borealis only once - its habitat there is severely reduced by the industrialized forrestry management. The bicoloured Pinguicula You discovered is of special beauty!

Thank you for kind words, Mariette.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 22, 2020, 08:59:01 AM
Thanks for your pictures Trond. Over here pine forests are the home of some of yours.

Thank you Ian.

The pine forests up here is usually very dry and often it is mostly lichens growing there. I'll show pictures later.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 22, 2020, 09:00:36 AM
Very nice two-colors Pinguicula vulgaris! I've never found one like this, just the regular.

I know the spot where they grow. It is a small population and most of the specimens are more or less bicoloured.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 22, 2020, 09:07:26 AM
It isn't always easy for a tree up here!

[attachimg=1]

An rather old spruce. Snow and strong wind in winter have damaged the top growth several times. Salix glauca in the background.


[attachimg=2]

Spruce damaged by late frosts.


[attachimg=3]

Although rather dry climate, itis many bogs and small tarns. The "soil" is mostly glacial deposits, some places in thick layers, other places nothing. Eriophorum vaginatum in a bog.


[attachimg=4]

Salix glauca male catkins.


[attachimg=5]

View. The treeless spots are saturated with water. The "soil" is probably very thin here.

Gabriela, notice the grass in front, it is Deschampsia cespitosa  :)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 22, 2020, 09:29:44 AM
[attachimg=1]

Common moonwort (Botrychium lunaria) is common here.


[attachimg=2]

Northern moonwort (Botrychium boreale) is also quite common.


[attachimg=3]

Salix lanata already ripe seeds.


[attachimg=4]

The cross between Betula pubescens czerepanovii and Betula nana.


[attachimg=5]

Typical vegetation on the hilltops. Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum, Arctous alpina and Kalmia (Loiselauria) procumbens.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Rick R. on July 22, 2020, 05:26:22 PM
I am enjoying this all very much, Trond.  It's like a guidebook to the local flora!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on July 22, 2020, 06:59:45 PM
If it's a population then it means at least some are coming true from seeds Trond  ;)

Yes, you know I like a lot the Deschampsia; it really thrives on wet sites, even if the soil is thin, same happens here towards more northern locations.
Beautiful pictures; especially the one with Empetrum, Arctous, and Kalmia interspersed with the lichen would make for a nice print!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on July 23, 2020, 06:14:56 AM

Selaginella selaginoides


That may be, but I am looking at what seems to be Pinguicula...lol

Fun to see the views, esp the mountain top vistas :) Lots of familiar plants, some others, I don't know in person..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 23, 2020, 06:20:08 AM
I am enjoying this all very much, Trond.  It's like a guidebook to the local flora!

Thank you Rick. It is more to come!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 23, 2020, 06:21:31 AM
If it's a population then it means at least some are coming true from seeds Trond  ;)

Yes, you know I like a lot the Deschampsia; it really thrives on wet sites, even if the soil is thin, same happens here towards more northern locations.
Beautiful pictures; especially the one with Empetrum, Arctous, and Kalmia interspersed with the lichen would make for a nice print!

I know, Gabriela :)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 23, 2020, 06:22:20 AM
That may be, but I am looking at what seems to be Pinguicula...lol

Fun to see the views, esp the mountain top vistas :) Lots of familiar plants, some others, I don't know in person..

You are right Cohan!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 23, 2020, 06:34:02 AM
I was back home yesterday. Here are a few photographs taken along the road.

"Islands" in the river. Saxifraga cotyledon.

[attachimg=1]


[attachimg=2]


Up the valley.

[attachimg=3]

It was raining in the valley. The forest is mostly birch and alder. Hjølmardalen, Eidfjord.


[attachimg=4]

Sun higher up.


[attachimg=5]

Looking west. The Hardangervidda plateau.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on July 23, 2020, 06:37:23 AM
Love the rocks in the water!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Tristan_He on July 23, 2020, 09:18:43 PM
Fabulous pics from the north Trond! Really makes me want to see Norway.... another to add to the list of places to go!

Also that is the biggest moonwort I have ever seen!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 23, 2020, 09:52:41 PM
Fabulous pics from the north Trond! Really makes me want to see Norway.... another to add to the list of places to go!

Also that is the biggest moonwort I have ever seen!

Thank you Tristan - and you are welcome any time :)

Yes, the moonworts are big this year. Maybe more rain in spring than usual.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on July 23, 2020, 10:03:11 PM
A few shots from today.

[attachimg=1]

A brisk morning. About 0C during the night but the day turned out to be very nice. Salix myrsinites and Lake Myking.


[attachimg=2]

Saxifraga aizoides is common here, and in several colour forms.


[attachimg=3]

Another colour,


[attachimg=4]

The common yellow one was popular among the the blues.


[attachimg=5]

Eriophorum angustifolium.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on July 24, 2020, 06:32:21 AM
I've only seen yellow aizoides here (in the mountains) I had a little clump in a pot for a while, but it faded away, probably needed a better spot..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Leena on July 27, 2020, 07:28:26 PM
Thank you Trond!  :)
Some of the scenery is similar to Finnish Lapland, but many plants are different. I love the openness of mountains.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 01, 2020, 06:34:24 PM
Thank you Trond!  :)
Some of the scenery is similar to Finnish Lapland, but many plants are different. I love the openness of mountains.

You are welcome Leena, my pleasure.

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 01, 2020, 06:38:37 PM
This is a very common roadside "weed" in Norway. Angelica sylvestris. Usually it is a kind of white but pink once occur also.

[attachimg=1]


[attachimg=2]


Cerastium cerastoides is common high up in the mountains, but also at lower altitude. It prefer places where the snow linger in spring and the soil never dries completely.

[attachimg=3]


[attachimg=4]


Gentiana purpurea is always a pleasure to find although it is not rare.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 01, 2020, 06:50:26 PM
Hieracium is a big genus with many apomictic species. This plant belongs to sect. Alpina which have about 200 species in Norway. A rainy day at Dagalifjell.

[attachimg=1]


"Flowering" Picea abies at about 1200m Dagali mts.

[attachimg=2]


Potentilla erecta is a plant found from seaside to quite high up in the mountains.

[attachimg=3]


Stellaria borealis is not very showy!

[attachimg=4]


[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 01, 2020, 07:04:32 PM
Solidago virgaurea is also among the species you can find everywhere. In the lowland they have hundreds of heads but higher up they only have a few.

[attachimg=1]


Gnaphalium norvegicum. Not uncommonin the low alpine zone.

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]


Micranthes stellaris is also common but prefer moist sites.

[attachimg=4]


Melampyrum pratense prefers the birch forests.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on August 03, 2020, 06:16:54 AM
Lots of nice selections-- I like the pink Angelica
Cute Hieracium-- locally I only have umbellatum
The Solidagos I have collected seed from in the foothills or higher have been interesting-- out/up there they had all looked similar-- not too many stems or branches, often small plants (smaller, higher up , of course) but in the garden some of them have become fairly robust clumps, while some others have remained small and simpler inflorescences, so I guess I got a couple of species after all. (multiradiata and simplex, or similar).
I forgot to mention also---- re: the two different Solidagos from the mountains that I grow in the garden: the presumed multiradiata flowers in early summer, I think they are already in seed, while the simplex type is flowering now.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 04, 2020, 07:45:38 AM
Hieracium umbellatum is common here, but it is a lowland species. Hieracium is i species rich genus here with thousands of apomictic species. Many are very similar! Most Solidago species in Norway are garden escapes, like Solidago canadensis!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 04, 2020, 07:48:43 AM
Some "blue" ones today.

[attachimg=1]

Cicerbita alpina, commonly found in moist subalpine open woodland. They say the bears do like this plant very much!


[attachimg=2]

Gentianella campestris, an annual,  prefers calcareous soil It is getting rare many places due to habitat loss.


[attachimg=3]

Campanula barbata, a rare native one found in a few subalpine meadows and roadsides. I planted one plant several years ago and now I have a few here at the cabin.  It is a short lived perennial which self sow around.


[attachimg=4]

Common harebell, Campanula rotundifolia. Extremely common from the sea and up to subalpine and alpine meadows.


[attachimg=5]

Campanula glomerata, a garden escape, now getting common many places.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on August 04, 2020, 08:54:52 PM
Hieracium umbellatum is common here, but it is a lowland species. Hieracium is i species rich genus here with thousands of apomictic species. Many are very similar! Most Solidago species in Norway are garden escapes, like Solidago canadensis!

I think Solidagos would be hard to find in gardens here, but common in roadsides..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on August 04, 2020, 08:57:20 PM
Nice blues! I'm jealous of Cicerbita.  For Campanulas, lots of (ex) rotundifolia here it has found its way into the garden, and is all over the acreage.. I haven't run across Gentianella this year, maybe just not in the right places, but Halenia has exploded in the yard with my spotty mowing schedule!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 05, 2020, 03:41:30 PM
Nice blues! I'm jealous of Cicerbita.  .....

I know! I have looked for seeds but have been either too early or too late to find ripe seeds. I have better hope this year.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 05, 2020, 03:45:34 PM
What happens when a house is no longer in use?

[attachimg=1]


A log from the house.

[attachimg=2]


Possibly Pilosella blyttian (Hieracium blyttianum).

[attachimg=3]


Galium boreale

[attachimg=4]


Salix glauca, Geranium sylvaticum, Ranunculus acris and others in a moist site.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on August 06, 2020, 01:21:50 AM
Some "blue" ones today.

Cicerbita alpina, commonly found in moist subalpine open woodland. They say the bears do like this plant very much!


The bears surely enjoy their salad Trond :) In Norway I guess the elks and reindeers might be interested.
The moist meadow with Salix glauca is a beautiful sight.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Tristan_He on August 06, 2020, 09:16:11 AM
What happens when a house is no longer in use?

It ends up looking like my old garden shed? Or maybe it becomes a set for an episode of Wallander..?  ;)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: ian mcdonald on August 06, 2020, 10:33:17 PM
Thanks for your photos. Trond. Some of your plants are also native over here. Campanula glomerata grows on limestone not far from me.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 10, 2020, 08:58:09 AM
The bears surely enjoy their salad Trond :) In Norway I guess the elks and reindeers might be interested.
The moist meadow with Salix glauca is a beautiful sight.

Well, we have both elks and reindeers around although they are rarely seen.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 10, 2020, 09:00:44 AM
It ends up looking like my old garden shed? Or maybe it becomes a set for an episode of Wallander..?  ;)

So you have a similar building?  :)

I don't know about Wallander but Mission Impossible maybe - Tom Cruise is expected any day I have heard! (At least somewhere in Norway.)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 10, 2020, 09:03:45 AM
Thanks for your photos. Trond. Some of your plants are also native over here. Campanula glomerata grows on limestone not far from me.

You are welcome Ian. Yes, I think both some plants and some animals (including birds) are native both places! Although I rarely photograph animals/birds.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 10, 2020, 09:18:47 AM
[attachimg=1]

Trifolium medium, a common clover from the seaside up to about 1000m. It flowers a little later than the red clover (T. pratense).


[attachimg=2]

Saussurea nuda, not as showy as its east asian cousins. Common in low alpine vegetation.


[attachimg=4]

Parnassia palustris, common especially at moist sites where the soil is mineral rich.


[attachimg=3]

Achillea ptarmica, usually a weed in disturbed areas and along roads. Here it grows in an old hay meadow at 950m.


[attachimg=5]

Aconitum lycoctonum spp. septentrionale. This huge plant is a very rapid grower. It is often found where the snow linger for a while in late spring and summer. The colour of the flowers vary from dark to very light, almost white.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 10, 2020, 09:28:00 AM
[attachimg=1]

Moss, lichens and fungi.


[attachimg=2]

Cladonia stellaris, a very common lichen.


[attachimg=3]

Pines and rocks. Typical habitat.


[attachimg=4]

Looking for "molter" Rubus chamaemorus.


[attachimg=5]

Sedge in water.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on August 10, 2020, 07:42:06 PM
I know that pain, some things are easy to miss in seed..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on August 10, 2020, 07:54:45 PM
Lots more great plants-- love the colour on the Hieracium... I wanted to grow aurantiacum till I realised it was prohibited noxious here...lol ( though I've never seen any).
I like to see old buildings-- they are a little sad on one hand, but I also like to see nature retaking the place :)
Strong colour on the Trifolium.. we don't have that one (as far as I know) pratense only sometimes gets strong colour here... it is not early, though, flowering mid summer on...
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 11, 2020, 10:17:30 PM
............

Strong colour on the Trifolium.. we don't have that one (as far as I know) pratense only sometimes gets strong colour here... it is not early, though, flowering mid summer on...

Trifolium medium always has that strong colour but T. pratense differs from almost white to even darker than T. medium.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 11, 2020, 10:21:00 PM
[attachimg=1]

Gaustadtoppen. The summit (1883m) is making its own clouds, 1600 meters above the bottom of the valley.


[attachimg=2]

Hieracium umbellata, one of the few Hieraciums with ordinary sexual life!


[attachimg=3]

Calluna vulgaris, wild form with dwarf growth.


[attachimg=4]

Sagina nodosa


[attachimg=5]


Rosa glauca hips.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on August 12, 2020, 12:29:38 AM
Trend,

I am finally able to catch up on some of the postings over the last month or so. I enjoy the photographs of your countryside.  8) It is very beautiful.

Thank you for sharing all the photographs.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 12, 2020, 06:28:19 AM
Trend,

I am finally able to catch up on some of the postings over the last month or so. I enjoy the photographs of your countryside.  8) It is very beautiful.

Thank you for sharing all the photographs.

Glad to see you are back again, Robert!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on August 12, 2020, 07:19:07 PM
I love the Cladonias, they are so ornamental.
When driving a bit up north in Ontario they also start showing up (not sure what species).

Was there any molter to harvest? :)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 12, 2020, 10:39:42 PM
Gabriela, we found some molter. Not in abundance but sufficient for us!  :)

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 12, 2020, 10:46:48 PM
had to take the old (but not the oldest!) road back home today. They are doing some necessary work in the tunnels.

Here are some pictures from that part of the road. Highest point 1148m asl. Still a lot of snow, much more than usually here at this time of the year.

[attachimg=1]


[attachimg=2]


[attachimg=3]


[attachimg=4]


[attachimg=5]

It was a warm day today, 25C when we drove by. Meltwater poured down the cliffs.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on August 13, 2020, 05:33:30 AM
Glad to see you are back again, Robert!


Hi Trond,

Well, actually, I will not be back home until tomorrow.  ;D  I am so glad that the house remodeling is now done and that Jasmin and I can move back into our home. The painting was very disruptive. Our birds could have died even with the use of so called zero VOC paints. Well it is all done now and we will be settling back in and I will be getting out in the field again soon.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on August 13, 2020, 07:04:33 PM
Gabriela, we found some molter. Not in abundance but sufficient for us!  :)


That's good news. The fruits are gorgeous, I would have difficulty eating them :) I always hesitate when extracting seeds from fleshy, colorful fruits.

The old road waves its way beautifully through the mountains and is not crowded with many cars; but I am surprised to see so much snow at such a low altitude.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on August 13, 2020, 09:54:24 PM

Gaustadtoppen. The summit (1883m) is making its own clouds, 1600 meters above the bottom of the valley.



Nice clouds!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 14, 2020, 07:21:26 AM
That's good news. The fruits are gorgeous, I would have difficulty eating them :) I always hesitate when extracting seeds from fleshy, colorful fruits.

The old road waves its way beautifully through the mountains and is not crowded with many cars; but I am surprised to see so much snow at such a low altitude.

Gabriela,

No difficulties eating them nor extracting seeds!

The road is crowded but you can't see it! It is so narrow that only cars from one side can pass at the same time. So it is a convoy stretching out a bit - all the big cars drive slowly!

It is much snow at this time of the year! This is a snow rich area in the first place and this winther was the snowiest for decades moreover July was a very cold month! At our mountain cabin trees are growing at this altitude.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 14, 2020, 07:26:40 AM
Nice clouds!

What's good with the clouds is that you can't see all the people up there! It is a very popular summit, easily accessed by foot or by train inside the mountain.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on August 16, 2020, 05:33:35 PM
What's good with the clouds is that you can't see all the people up there! It is a very popular summit, easily accessed by foot or by train inside the mountain.

always odd to me to go 'wild' places and see more people than I do at home...lol-- though on the roads we usually take into the mountains, the people are clustered in certain spots only, and many other, unofficial, places you can stop where there is nobody :)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 17, 2020, 07:25:24 AM
always odd to me to go 'wild' places and see more people than I do at home...lol-- though on the roads we usually take into the mountains, the people are clustered in certain spots only, and many other, unofficial, places you can stop where there is nobody :)

This summer has been extraordinary because people are restricted in going abroad, then they visit places in their own country. And they all want to see the same! Which is not the places foreign tourists visit.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 17, 2020, 07:35:23 AM
Yesterday I visited the Island of Stord just north of where I live with some friends. Fortunately it is no ferry but a subsea tunell. The tunell is close to 8km long and runs down to 262 m below the surface of the sea.

Here are some of the plants we saw.

[attachimg=1]

Trifolium dubium. This small clover is easily overlooked.


[attachimg=2]

Nymphaea alba still in flower.


[attachimg=3]

Cladium mariscus. This species is very rare in Norway.


[attachimg=4]

Brambles. The berries are soon ripe. It is about 40 apomictic species here in Norway.


[attachimg=5]

Reseda lutea is found some places, it is not native though.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on August 18, 2020, 11:25:26 PM
Hi Trond,

How many of your native Rubus species are being cultivated?

I enjoyed the waterlilies!  8)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 20, 2020, 06:20:04 AM
Hi Trond,

How many of your native Rubus species are being cultivated?

I enjoyed the waterlilies!  8)

Robert,

Rubus idaeus, the raspberry, of course. Maybe also R. chamaemorus and arcticus but not so much. As far as I know almost none of the native 100+ apomictic blackberry species are cultivated but some foreign ones.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 20, 2020, 06:23:09 AM
An old Juniperus communis with cone-berries.

[attachimg=1]


Exobasidium vaccini on Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Many plants are affected this year.

[attachimg=2]


It is quite decorative actually!

[attachimg=3]


Catkins on betulanana.

[attachimg=4]


Cones on Picea abies. As the climate changes more and more spruces ripen their seeds even high up in the mountains and more and more seedlings are the result. In a few centuries most of the subalpine open landscape will be forested.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 20, 2020, 06:36:55 AM
Gentiananella campestris is a favorite of mine. Here it is 1000s in the meadow.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]


Galium verum ssp verum and Galium verum x mollugo. This hybrid is common where the parents meet.

[attachimg=3]


Lycopodium clavatum ssp monostachyon.

[attachimg=4]


Myriophyllum alterniflorum in flower. Not a flashy sight.

[attachimg=5]



Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Rick R. on August 21, 2020, 03:09:55 PM
Trond, thanks for this thread.  These kinds of photos are not only useful from a botanical prospective, but also invaluable as they document the flora during climate change, too. While our climate's temperature here in Minnesota (USA) has not risen very much, our rainfall, humidity and rainfall pattern have changed significantly since several years ago: more humidity throughout the year, consistently more summer rain and longer, wetter falls.  I had not realized how sensitive so much of our dryland habitat here is, as I already lament the demise if its flora.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on August 21, 2020, 06:50:40 PM
Gentiananella campestris is a favorite of mine. Here it is 1000s in the meadow.


Also one of my favourites Trond :) I directly sowed some seeds one year but who knows what happened with them, but I believe is the best way to try them.
The Exobasidium is indeed very ornamental, I wouldn't even have said the color was due to an infection.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on August 21, 2020, 06:53:15 PM
Trond, thanks for this thread.  These kinds of photos are not only useful from a botanical prospective, but also invaluable as they document the flora during climate change, too. While our climate's temperature here in Minnesota (USA) has not risen very much, our rainfall, humidity and rainfall pattern have changed significantly since several years ago: more humidity throughout the year, consistently more summer rain and longer, wetter falls.  I had not realized how sensitive so much of our dryland habitat here is, as I already lament the demise if its flora.

 Maybe some species will start to 'migrate' Rick - in SW Ontario the reverse is happening, the summers are getting warmer and with less and less rains, although once in a while a 'wet' year happens.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 22, 2020, 07:02:54 AM
Trond, thanks for this thread.  These kinds of photos are not only useful from a botanical prospective, but also invaluable as they document the flora during climate change, too. While our climate's temperature here in Minnesota (USA) has not risen very much, our rainfall, humidity and rainfall pattern have changed significantly since several years ago: more humidity throughout the year, consistently more summer rain and longer, wetter falls.  I had not realized how sensitive so much of our dryland habitat here is, as I already lament the demise if its flora.

Thank you Rick. I appreciate your comments.

The weather and climate change here also, we can see it. The flora and fauna change also but not only due to the weather and the climate but the human impact changes also.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on August 22, 2020, 05:41:48 PM
Trond,

Climate change is impacting California. Currently, rising snow levels and its implication on the hydrology of the state is probably the issue of most concern. However, many other facets of climate change are also troublesome and need to be addressed.

Gardeners may want to become aware of the implications of climate change. These changes are impacting our gardens, the plants we grow, and wild plants and habitats, which are the source of new plant introductions and are an important gene pool from which future plant development can continue.

Currently, my data suggest that transient changes in plant physiology and distribution are tending toward more long-term changes. What might be of interest to gardeners is how this information can be used to improve our growing techniques as well as provide important insights for species/plant improvement.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 22, 2020, 07:30:40 PM
Also one of my favourites Trond :) I directly sowed some seeds one year but who knows what happened with them, but I believe is the best way to try them.
The Exobasidium is indeed very ornamental, I wouldn't even have said the color was due to an infection.

Gabriela,

I think the seeds can stay for years in the soil waiting for the right time to germinate. As I said, this year I can count 1000s, last year only a handfull.

Exobasidium was also common this year! It gives the plants extra color and I don't  think they are harmed much by it.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on August 23, 2020, 02:31:18 PM
This summer has been extraordinary because people are restricted in going abroad, then they visit places in their own country. And they all want to see the same! Which is not the places foreign tourists visit.

That would be an interesting comparison, to see the two itineraries!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on August 23, 2020, 02:46:17 PM
Rick-- a somewhat similar set of changes here-- springs have been generally earlier, which means drier (though this year spring was 'late' more like it had been when I moved back in 2007) with an often wetter summer ( though still really variable as it always was).. I have also been thinking falls have been tending wetter, but only my own observation, don't know if it has been statistically relevant... this has a big impact for farmers, of course, as harvest is always tricky here, as it is... I haven't yet noticed any stresses on local species, but most of what is around here is adapted to a range of environments.. the dry  springs could impact wetlands over time, and fewer serious cold spells in winter will presumably have an impact on insects and disease..

Trond and Gabriela- re: Gentianaceae seeds waiting in soil-- yes! this year due to mower issues and having to do it alone, my mowing was late and less thorough, and the few patches of Halenia I usually leave unmowed  were instead many patches in far separated parts of the acreage, and many many plants. The wet year probably helped also. We also have Gentianella amarella, but mostly just outside the acreage, they are in flower now too-- I've managed to have a few plants in garden beds, but haven't noticed any this year..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Tristan_He on August 23, 2020, 06:29:09 PM
Climate change has been obvious here too. We have had several more or less snow-free (and last year almost frost-free) winters. On the other hand we have been prone to very dry and warm spells in late spring to early summer (roughly between mid April and the start of June). This year we have had a very cool and wet summer as well, and the combination of these means that I now have Hamamelis x intermedia and Hepatica nobilis coming into flower! (and yes, I am in the northern hemisphere).



Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on August 24, 2020, 07:54:29 PM
Climate change has been obvious here too. We have had several more or less snow-free (and last year almost frost-free) winters. On the other hand we have been prone to very dry and warm spells in late spring to early summer (roughly between mid April and the start of June). This year we have had a very cool and wet summer as well, and the combination of these means that I now have Hamamelis x intermedia and Hepatica nobilis coming into flower! (and yes, I am in the northern hemisphere).

That's really out of season! Have you had those flower at this time before? Anticipate any problems?
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 25, 2020, 07:32:18 AM
Trond,

Climate change is impacting California. Currently, rising snow levels and its implication on the hydrology of the state is probably the issue of most concern. However, many other facets of climate change are also troublesome and need to be addressed.

Gardeners may want to become aware of the implications of climate change. These changes are impacting our gardens, the plants we grow, and wild plants and habitats, which are the source of new plant introductions and are an important gene pool from which future plant development can continue.

Currently, my data suggest that transient changes in plant physiology and distribution are tending toward more long-term changes. What might be of interest to gardeners is how this information can be used to improve our growing techniques as well as provide important insights for species/plant improvement.

Robert,

So far it seems that we get more precipitation here, both in winter and in summer. One week last summer the price of the power was negative (the consumer was actually paid for using it!) due to too much water in the reservoirs. But 2 years ago it was very dry so maybe we will experience more fluctuations than before.

The growing season has been several weeks longer and the winters milder but the last years both record high and record low temperatures have been measured.

Botanists are concerned about high alpine plants - they don't have higher mountains to climb, and a few others may suffer but most plants in Norway have a wide ecological amplitude - you will find them from the seaside to the mountains. I am more concerned by the land management than by the climate change though. So far I think the former has greater impact on flora and fauna.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on August 25, 2020, 07:34:20 AM
Climate change has been obvious here too. We have had several more or less snow-free (and last year almost frost-free) winters. On the other hand we have been prone to very dry and warm spells in late spring to early summer (roughly between mid April and the start of June). This year we have had a very cool and wet summer as well, and the combination of these means that I now have Hamamelis x intermedia and Hepatica nobilis coming into flower! (and yes, I am in the northern hemisphere).

I haven't seen those species reblooming yet but many of my rhododendrons do!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Tristan_He on August 27, 2020, 11:10:23 PM
That's really out of season! Have you had those flower at this time before? Anticipate any problems?

Not that I can recall Cohan! As for problems... we'll see. The extra weird thing is that the Hamamelis is a red flowered cultivar ('Diane') but the flowers now are bright yellow! I think it's just really confused.... (and also it's definitely not the rootstock suckering)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 05, 2020, 06:17:39 PM
As we are approaching autumn and the mushroom season, we took a walk in one of the wide forests close to Oslo (where we are staying for a few days). Well, the forest was wide once, not any more, at least not as wide as when I was a kid. But we didn't meet a single soul. We found quite a few edible mushrooms (mostly golden chanterelle, yellowfoot and wood hedgehog mushroom).

But we also found this one, Hydnellum suavolens, that smelled very nice of anise, peppermint and vanilla! It is not edible though.

[attachimg=1]


[attachimg=2]


The common haircap moss was adorned with many different species but the red fly agaric was the prettiest.

[attachimg=3]



A big population of touch-me-not balsam decorated the road verge.

[attachimg=5]


[attachimg=4]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 05, 2020, 06:31:46 PM
The day started out very nicely with sun and a nice temperature.

[attachimg=5]


Not yet ripe, cranberries in the sphagnum bog.

[attachimg=2]


An old moss-clad log adorned with stiff clubmoss.

[attachimg=3]


Then suddenly the sky darkened and the heavenly sluice gates opened. I didn't take pictures when it rained, only just before it started.

[attachimg=4]



It rained and hailed for about two hours but we had shelter in a cabin.

It stopped as suddenly as it started and the sun warmed us when we went home.

[attachimg=1]

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 05, 2020, 06:47:47 PM
The common wood sorrel is very common! I like to taste it when I am out in the forest.

[attachimg=1]


Close friends, a birch and a spruce.

[attachimg=2]


Whorled Solomon's seal  finished for the season.

[attachimg=3]


The knights plume moss

[attachimg=4]


Usually coltsfoot is found on heavy clay soil, and not in the forests.

[attachimg=5]

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on September 07, 2020, 05:29:41 AM
Trond,

These are some great photographs.  8) I especially enjoyed the photograph of the lake after the rain storm.  :)  It is refreshing to see your lush countryside considering our current record breaking heat wave, wildfires, dense smoke, ash and generally bone dry conditions.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 07, 2020, 07:19:58 AM
Thank you Robert.

We have been lucky this summer. It has rained (snowed in the mountains!)  so the danger of wildfires have been close to zero. We never experience anything like you though. The ample rain also means that the vegetation is green everywhere, or almost everywhere!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 07, 2020, 07:39:11 AM
"Where is my boat?" - long forgotten and soon covered in Carex rostrata.

[attachimg=1]


Lady's bedstraw is a nice plant.

[attachimg=2]


The clones differ a little.

[attachimg=3]


Spotted St John's-wort is a popular late bloomer.

[attachimg=4]


The lichen Nephroma arcticum consists of a fungus, an green algae (coccomyxa) and a cyanobacteria.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on September 15, 2020, 06:53:53 PM
Which Galium is that? G boreale is pretty showy here, in white masses, but of course yellow seems flashier-- not that we have a shortage of yellow flowers..

Is the coltsfoot Tussilago? I considered planting it, but it seems there are concerns about invasiveness..
Lots of fungi here, but no red fly agaric or any mushrooms quite so bright. Because of the wet summer, there were more mushrooms all season.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Yann on September 15, 2020, 07:54:23 PM
Some dandelions and a wintergreen.

These are 3 different dandelion species.


Dandelions can be a nightmare to identify, i own a 160 pages ID key..i often scratch my head ::)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 15, 2020, 08:23:00 PM
Which Galium is that? G boreale is pretty showy here, in white masses, but of course yellow seems flashier-- not that we have a shortage of yellow flowers..

Is the coltsfoot Tussilago? I considered planting it, but it seems there are concerns about invasiveness..
Lots of fungi here, but no red fly agaric or any mushrooms quite so bright. Because of the wet summer, there were more mushrooms all season.

The yellow one is Galium verum. I like it! But I do like the other Galiums also. G. boreale is common here (photograph). G. album is similar but bigger.

[attachimg=1]



Yes, the coltsfoot is Tussilago farfara. It can be a nuisance ob heavy soil, especially in disturbed areas. I was a little astonished to find it here in the middle of the forest.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 15, 2020, 08:24:39 PM
Dandelions can be a nightmare to identify, i own a 160 pages ID key..i often scratch my head ::)

I am satisfied if I can identify the group which it belongs to!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on September 16, 2020, 05:33:50 AM
The yellow one is Galium verum. I like it! But I do like the other Galiums also. G. boreale is common here (photograph). G. album is similar but bigger.

The only other ones we have are triflorum, which is actually a very attractive foliage plant-- another of those odd natives which grow in a particular niche in nature ( shady and moist or at least mesic) but will grow in nearly any condition in the garden== it has popped up in some fairly dry exposed places in rock gardens! And some tiny species I forget the name of, in wetland areas.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 16, 2020, 07:00:41 AM
The only other ones we have are triflorum, which is actually a very attractive foliage plant-- another of those odd natives which grow in a particular niche in nature ( shady and moist or at least mesic) but will grow in nearly any condition in the garden== it has popped up in some fairly dry exposed places in rock gardens! And some tiny species I forget the name of, in wetland areas.

triflorum occurs here also but I rarely notice it.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on September 21, 2020, 07:39:21 PM
triflorum occurs here also but I rarely notice it.

It is most striking and attractive when it grows in fairly bare patches of forest floor, over mosses, and grows prostrate, stems radiating out from the centre, very nice foliage plant. Would probably make a good hanging basket subject!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 21, 2020, 08:21:57 PM
It is most striking and attractive when it grows in fairly bare patches of forest floor, over mosses, and grows prostrate, stems radiating out from the centre, very nice foliage plant. Would probably make a good hanging basket subject!

Have to look out for it I presume!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 21, 2020, 08:35:27 PM
Although mid September it is still a mild but rainy kind of weather. Nothing uncommon though.

Here is a few plants seen last Saturday (Sept.19)

Saxifraga aizoides. Usually it is growing in the mountains but on the island of Bømlo it grows close to the sea in an old limestone quarry.

[attachimg=1]


The common heather (Calluna vulgaris) is finished some weeks ago but the bell heather (Erica cinerea) is still in full bloom.

[attachimg=2]


Euphrasia stricta, native and very common here.

[attachimg=3]


The fern Asplenium trichomanes is native but Cotoneaster horizontalis is not. It has spread a lot from gardens though.

[attachimg=4]


Bindweed (Calystegium sepium) is a common seashore plant but it has spread to gardens and parks and other places you don't want it! Here it is climbing a native wild rose (Rosa villosa ssp mollis probably).

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 21, 2020, 10:00:22 PM
Saturday Sept. 19. a group of us were out looking for Cotoneasters. We have 2 native species in Norway and maybe more than 20 foreign ones, nobody knows exactly how many and which species. We found about 8 different ones on our little excursion, one native.

The native Cotoneaster scandinavicus (integerrimus).

[attachimg=1]


Some of us on the road with a hedge of English ivy (which is native also). The brown honeybees (Apis mellifera mellifera) were also very interested.

[attachimg=2]


One of the Cotoneasters we found - a lot of! We think it is C. symondsii.

[attachimg=3]


C. symondsii?

[attachimg=4]


This is not a Cotoneaster but a very unwanted invasive plant from S Africa, the South African ragwort (Senecio inaequidens).

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 21, 2020, 10:09:54 PM
The brown honeybee on English ivy.

[attachimg=1]

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on September 22, 2020, 05:03:56 PM
Nice pictures Trond. Seems like fun to go looking for Cotoneasters :)

I've never seen Hedera trained like this in a hedge, a great idea I must say! And if the fruits are not wanted you can easily trim them.
In humid/milder regions of Canada it is considered invasive, but otherwise a very useful 'evergreen' for our long winters; little others broadleaves which can resist the cold, drying winds of the winter (on exposed situations Hedera leaves can also dry out).
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Maggi Young on September 22, 2020, 07:32:20 PM


I've never seen Hedera trained like this in a hedge, a great idea I must say! And if the fruits are not wanted you can easily trim them.
In humid/milder regions of Canada it is considered invasive, but otherwise a very useful 'evergreen' for our long winters; little others broadleaves which can resist the cold, drying winds of the winter (on exposed situations Hedera leaves can also dry out).

It  would  be  a  shame to do that  (anywhere where the  plant is  NOT considered  an invasive)  because  Hedera  flowers  are  a  huge  boom for  pollinators. 
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on September 22, 2020, 11:10:20 PM
I was referring to the fruits Maggi, before they mature.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Maggi Young on September 23, 2020, 01:36:25 PM
I was referring to the fruits Maggi, before they mature.
Sorry, Gabriela, my  mistake.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 24, 2020, 04:06:02 PM
Nice pictures Trond. Seems like fun to go looking for Cotoneasters :)

I've never seen Hedera trained like this in a hedge, a great idea I must say! And if the fruits are not wanted you can easily trim them.
In humid/milder regions of Canada it is considered invasive, but otherwise a very useful 'evergreen' for our long winters; little others broadleaves which can resist the cold, drying winds of the winter (on exposed situations Hedera leaves can also dry out).

Thank you, Gabriela.

It was an interesting oting looking for Cotoneaster. We did see many other plants also!

It is not uncommon to train ivy like that. Usually it climbs on a fence though. I have a couple meters of it myself. Although the ivy can be a nuisance it is not regarded as invasive because it is native.

I trim my ivy in spring if necessary but the flowering part do not grow very rapid so it isn't necessary to do anything each year.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 24, 2020, 04:08:26 PM
A couple days ago I visited a friend. He has some very interesting plants in his garden. Here are two of them.


Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata'. He has two of this one, and they have both survived for many years outside in his garden.

[attachimg=1]


Olive tree (Olea europea) has also survived several years. The worst enemy so far is not the winter but the roe deer which also like it very much.

[attachimg=2]



Flowering in my garden now is this waterlily (name unknown).

[attachimg=3]


Also several rhododendrons are in flower at this time. Among them is 'Scarlet Wonder'.

[attachimg=4]



This bromeliad, Fascicularia bicolour, seems to prepare for blooming. I have had it outside for 5 years but it doesn't flower each year.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on September 28, 2020, 08:11:37 PM
Have to look out for it I presume!

To not walk on it, you mean? It is not uncommon, so I don't worry about it, of course if there is one nice plant alone, I would step around it.. in other places it grows among other plants in denser vegetation, and there the radial form is not so obvious..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on September 28, 2020, 08:16:16 PM
Thank you, Gabriela.

It was an interesting oting looking for Cotoneaster. We did see many other plants also!

It is not uncommon to train ivy like that. Usually it climbs on a fence though. I have a couple meters of it myself. Although the ivy can be a nuisance it is not regarded as invasive because it is native.

I trim my ivy in spring if necessary but the flowering part do not grow very rapid so it isn't necessary to do anything each year.

I had no luck with the Hedera seeds I got from you, so I still have not tested the hardiness here...lol Only the one Cotoneaster I've shown.. Are any of the exotic species problematic where they have escaped there?  Here, they are not common, so I don't see a problem-- yet, anyway! they just add to the diversity of understory plants..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on September 28, 2020, 08:18:11 PM
A couple days ago I visited a friend. He has some very interesting plants in his garden. Here are two of them.
Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata'. He has two of this one, and they have both survived for many years outside in his garden.
Olive tree (Olea europea) has also survived several years. The worst enemy so far is not the winter but the roe deer which also like it very much.
Flowering in my garden now is this waterlily (name unknown).
Also several rhododendrons are in flower at this time. Among them is 'Scarlet Wonder'.
This bromeliad, Fascicularia bicolour, seems to prepare for blooming. I have had it outside for 5 years but it doesn't flower each year.

Some exotic things! Is it normal for the Rhodos to flower now, or out of season?
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Maggi Young on September 29, 2020, 11:22:16 AM
Some exotic things! Is it normal for the Rhodos to flower now, or out of season?
There  are  some  Rhodos that will throw  up the  occasional flower   "out  of  season" - and there  are  aslo quite  a  few  which will regularly give  extra  flowers at odd times  of the  year.  I have  a lovely R. saluense  that is  hardly  ever  without  a  flower, and  can have  almost  full flushes a  couple  of times  a  year.
At the  moment, I'm very  pleased  with the  "bonus" flowering on  this  R.  taliense x lacteum hybrid in my  front garden, which I featured  in the  most  recent  issue  of  IRG ....

[attachimg=1]

 The  issue  of  IRG - International Rock Gardener ( published  free  on SRGC every  month since  2010  :)) is  here: https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Sep241600957311IRG129.pdf
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on September 29, 2020, 07:19:02 PM
There  are  some  Rhodos that will throw  up the  occasional flower   "out  of  season" - and there  are  aslo quite  a  few  which will regularly give  extra  flowers at odd times  of the  year.  I have  a lovely R. saluense  that is  hardly  ever  without  a  flower, and  can have  almost  full flushes a  couple  of times  a  year.
At the  moment, I'm very  pleased  with the  "bonus" flowering on  this  R.  taliense x lacteum hybrid in my  front garden, which I featured  in the  most  recent  issue  of  IRG ....



 The  issue  of  IRG - International Rock Gardener ( published  free  on SRGC every  month since  2010  :)) is  here: https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2020Sep241600957311IRG129.pdf

Looks like a lovely plant all around :) Rhodos are not a big thing here, I've seen a few hybrids/cultivars for sale...lol only one on the acreage is wild R groenlandicum (Ledum), a fave but growing in deep shade, so not tons of flowers.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 29, 2020, 08:05:43 PM
I had no luck with the Hedera seeds I got from you, so I still have not tested the hardiness here...lol Only the one Cotoneaster I've shown.. Are any of the exotic species problematic where they have escaped there?  Here, they are not common, so I don't see a problem-- yet, anyway! they just add to the diversity of understory plants..

I can send more seeds next spring if you like. Seedlings pop up around here so some of the seeds should be fertile.

Cotoneasters have spread a lot during the last 20 years or so. We have only 2 native species but between 10 and 20 exotic ones. The exotic ones prefer calcareous soil where the native flora is most diverse and it is no doubt that the Cotoneasters displace native ones and also shade out many species. On more acidic soil they tend to just mingle with the natives! Also some lupins (and quite a few others) are problematic but not close to where I live.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 29, 2020, 08:14:51 PM
Some exotic things! Is it normal for the Rhodos to flower now, or out of season?

It is the same here like Maggi tells. Some Rhodo species flower every spring and also again every fall, others do not. The spring bloom is always better than the later ones though.

When I moved to the west coast 35 years ago it was just a handfull of different Rhodo cultivars available at the local garden centers. Now it is hundreds.

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 29, 2020, 08:16:12 PM
There  are  some  Rhodos that will throw  up the  occasional flower   "out  of  season" - and there  are  aslo quite  a  few  which will regularly give  extra  flowers at odd times  of the  year.  I have  a lovely R. saluense  that is  hardly  ever  without  a  flower, and  can have  almost  full flushes a  couple  of times  a  year.
At the  moment, I'm very  pleased  with the  "bonus" flowering on  this  R.  taliense x lacteum hybrid in my  front garden, which I featured  in the  most  recent  issue  of  IRG ....


Looks very good, Maggi!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 29, 2020, 08:26:30 PM
Not plants but still attractive!

Cladonia portentosa and Ramaria flava.

[attachimg=1]


Amanita muscaria (and an intruder!).

[attachimg=2]


Sticta ciliata, a very rare lichen.

[attachimg=3]


Betula in the boat. Someone has forgotten to scoop the boat.

[attachimg=4]


Sorbus rupicola, a very attractive small tree or large shrub.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on September 29, 2020, 08:55:06 PM
Back to plants...

Some are still in flower, in fact, many have experienced a new spring this fall. A few cool days and night in August and a rather mild September have lured the plants to flower anew.

Geranium sanguineum.

[attachimg=1]


Red clover, Trifolium pratense, and peacock, Aglais io.

[attachimg=2]


The tormentil, Potentilla erecta, is very common everywhere.  Those growing in the pastures here are smaller than those from other places.

[attachimg=3]


Juniper, Juniperus communis. Yes it is still alive!

[attachimg=4]


Scotch rose, Rosa spinosissima, is native and you find it along the west coast.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on October 02, 2020, 06:52:04 AM
Thanks-- I'd like to try Hedera again, but I will wait-- I still don't know what/where I am doing, so I am not sowing anything the last couple of seasons!

I think the time to bail out that boat is past...lol
Is that Sorbus entire leafed?
I had G sanguineum from your seed flowering this year, very small so far, but that could be the site, also.. I don't mind if it does stay small though..
Trifolium pratense also still flowering here-- there is a reason why such weeds are so successful! Actually I find them most visually irritating at this time (or a little later), since they stay fully green when all sensible plants have gone brown, gold,. red or to sleep...lol
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 02, 2020, 09:00:17 PM
Cohan,

G sanguineum likes limestone/chalk. It usually grows in rich and a little dry soil.
Yes, the Sorbus has entire leaves. We have quite a few species of that kind.

i am at the mountain cabin now and here almost all the T pratense plants have shut down for the winter!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on October 03, 2020, 01:53:09 AM
Love the Betula-boat picture Trond but the one with Juniperus communis is even better! what an amazing species, it manage to survive in the most inhospitable places.


Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Rick R. on October 03, 2020, 02:31:33 AM
The Sorbus caught my eye, too, because it is simple leaved (not pinnate).  No berries?  Or have they already been eaten...

A wonderous juniper specimen, too!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 03, 2020, 07:52:55 AM
Gabriela and Rick,

Junipers are nice shrubs! We have only one species but you will find it from the seaside and high up in the mountains. Some are prostrate and others are tree-like. The tallest specimen recorded was 17 m.


Sorbus rupicola is one of several entire-leaved Sorbus species here. This year was a bad one for berries on all Sorbus species.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on October 03, 2020, 06:57:08 PM
So far I have not given much thought to how acid or basic my soils are--- though some plants get more clay and gravel, others more humus etc, of course.. most things have not minded, could be a few here and there that might have liked something else!

Does S rupicola stay small? Doesn't seem like a name for a large tree.. My S aucuparia had few berries this year too, maybe a late frost or something..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 06, 2020, 04:29:07 PM

.........

Does S rupicola stay small? Doesn't seem like a name for a large tree.. My S aucuparia had few berries this year too, maybe a late frost or something..

Yes, rupicola stays small. Either as a little tree or a multi stemmed shrub.

Most Sorbuses had few berries this year. Cotoneasters were loaded!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on October 06, 2020, 07:35:26 PM
I saw berries on Sorbus in town, yesterday.. of course different micro-climates, and  always funny to me that they still have berries this late...lol
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 12, 2020, 07:17:43 PM
I saw berries on Sorbus in town, yesterday.. of course different micro-climates, and  always funny to me that they still have berries this late...lol

Rowan berries usually last for months here, especially if it is other berries also!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 12, 2020, 07:26:36 PM
Been out for a walk here today https://g.acdn.no/obscura/API/dynamic/r1/ece5/tr_1080_714_l_f/0000/krag/2016/8/31/10/Jomfruland%2Bdir.jpg?chk=60C392

https://www.kv.no/nyheter/jomfruland-nasjonalpark/kragero/direktoratet-anbefaler-opprettelse-av-nasjonalpark/s/5-63-45247


A windflower (Anemone nemorosa) has got it all wrong!

[attachimg=1]


Hieracium umbellatum, always a late bloomer.

[attachimg=2]


A birch tree (Betula verrucosa) formed by the wind.

[attachimg=3]


The stems of common spruce (Picea abies). It is one clone.

[attachimg=4]

Common spruce (Picea abies).

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 12, 2020, 07:41:35 PM
The path

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]


Pilosella peleteriana

[attachimg=3]


Macrolepiota sp

[attachimg=4]


Brambles

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 14, 2020, 08:24:17 PM
Crossed the mountains yesterday in very nice weather, sun and +5C at 1100m "late" evening, just at sunset New snow only at the highest summits (>1200m). Had no time to take photographs though.

Nice weather back home also, down to +2C during the night. No frost yet in the garden.

Some plats still in flower:

Fuchsia magellanica from seed (Chileflora). It tolerates a few degrees below 0C.

[attachimg=1]


Prunus laurocerasus. Also from seed, this species is spread by birds and pop up many places. This specimen flowers twice, in spring and in fall.

[attachimg=2]


Geranium lambertii? Chadwell seeds many years ago. Flowers from spring till it gets too cold.

[attachimg=3]


At last can I see the flower buds of Fascicularia bicolour. It grows in a pot which have stood at the same spot for many years.

[attachimg=4]


Shortia soldanelloides shouldn't flower in several months!

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 26, 2020, 12:32:57 PM
A Sunday stroll on the old Church Road. The "road" isn't in use anymore for the original purpose. Before the cars people had to walk, and cross 2 fjords to get to the church from where I live. The Avaldsnes church is about 750 years old. It is supposed that it has been churches here for about 1000 years. It is also the site where king Harald Hårfagre (Fairhair) (850-931) had one of his castles.

https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avaldsnes_kirke

Painting from 1820:

[attachimg=1]


We didn't walk all the way to the church though! (Had to have two boats then!)

We started at Aksnes where a creek enter the sea. Because of all the rain lately, the creek has been transformed to a river.

[attachimg=2]


A lot of different trees and shrubs grow along the river. Some are foreign and didn't grow there n ancient times.
This one is native though, Viburnum opulus.

[attachimg=3]


Where the water doesn't run so fast you'll find plants like this Potamogeton sp.

[attachimg=4]


Struthiopteris/Blechnum spicant, the hard fern, is very common on drier sites.

[attachimg=5]



Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 26, 2020, 01:00:43 PM
This grass, Molinia caerulea, is common here.

[attachimg=1]


Birches, junipers and shrubs like Salix aurita are common also.

[attachimg=2]


Sphagnum moss is everywhere. It is several species.

[attachimg=3]


Polytrichum commune is also everywhere.

[attachimg=4]


Junipers differ in form. The upright growing ones are rare because they have been used for fence poles and much other.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 26, 2020, 02:24:00 PM
It is not a long way from where we started to the drainage divide. After the highest point we enter an area with moors, swamps and bogs. 100 years ago this was an important grazing area for cattle, horses and sheep.

Salix repens is a common shrub and itis not always prostrate.

[attachimg=1]


It is very wet here although it doesn't look wet.

[attachimg=2]


Still some sheep graze here but not enough to keep the trees down.

[attachimg=3]


Brackens take over also, especially on the drier land.

[attachimg=4]


Small creeks are overflown today.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 26, 2020, 03:03:58 PM
The small creeks end up in Vormedalsvatnet. It is an interesting flora on the shores but it's all submerged at the moment.

[attachimg=1]


Although holly, Ilex aquifolium, is native here most specimens in this area are garden escapes.

[attachimg=2]


[attachimg=3]


Large areas are planted with sitka spruce. They form very dark forests where nothing grows.

[attachimg=4]


A sitka spruce seedling has found its place on top of the fence post. We turn back here. The rest of the road down to the fjord goes through farms and and a village.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Maggi Young on October 29, 2020, 02:48:44 PM
Interesting Sorbus in Norway - in this  article, Robbie  Blackhall-Miles  writes  about  a  recent  trip to Arran ....

https://globaltrees.org/news-blog/evolution-and-discovery-on-the-isle-of-arran/?fbclid=IwAR0moiTZHtkUCnImpP4hC-ilB2F8K_qjD7-_Z9W9Y_50hGq_3-YqJOQJqj0
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on October 29, 2020, 05:17:05 PM
Interesting article about Arran Sorbus! Thanks Maggi.

S. pseudomeinichii looks very similar to S. meinichii which is very common here. The genetics is also quite similar. The cross that created S. meinichii has probably happened several times as meinichii is very variable.

Sorbus meinichii:

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on October 30, 2020, 03:52:08 PM
Rowan berries usually last for months here, especially if it is other berries also!

Mine are eaten by the birds almost as soon as they appear, I'm lucky to get a few pictures with berries and fall colour, not always!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on October 30, 2020, 04:07:25 PM
Been out for a walk here today

A windflower (Anemone nemorosa) has got it all wrong!

Hieracium umbellatum, always a late bloomer.


I saw a couple of Calthas flowering on the farm in autumn, this year, I think they may have been seedlings that just reached flowering size .
Our H umbellatum looks nothing like that-- probably one of those species that really should be divided up..

Great outings-- some really interesting and varied landscapes. And that Fuchsia in the garden looks huge!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 09, 2020, 07:08:30 PM
I saw a couple of Calthas flowering on the farm in autumn, this year, I think they may have been seedlings that just reached flowering size .
Our H umbellatum looks nothing like that-- probably one of those species that really should be divided up..

Great outings-- some really interesting and varied landscapes. And that Fuchsia in the garden looks huge!

Cohan, I have never seen Caltha that late in the season here. The local ones finish early and go dormant.

The Fuchsia is huge. I have to remove some of it next spring, the path is blocked!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 09, 2020, 07:10:16 PM
It is not only the leaves that get nice colours in fall.

[attachimg=1]


Damaged by wind and rain.

[attachimg=2]


Leycesteria formosa is still going strong. The berries taste ok when ripe. Unripe they are very bad.

[attachimg=3]


This rhodo starts a bit early.

[attachimg=4]


Geranium endressii I believe.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 09, 2020, 07:20:42 PM
Seems to fly away, Viburnum farrerii.

[attachimg=1]


Some keep to their foliage, Eucalyptus gunnii.

[attachimg=2]


A bleak red clover!

[attachimg=3]


Heavy fog today!

[attachimg=4]


The little larch refuses to let the foliage go.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 09, 2020, 07:28:17 PM
Alnus glutinosa, black alder.

[attachimg=1]


An optimistic  dandelion.

[attachimg=2]


Erica tetralix often flower in fall.

[attachimg=3]


To the alchemist.

[attachimg=4]


Another optimist, a Myrica gale on a dead stump.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on November 12, 2020, 04:34:07 PM
Cohan, I have never seen Caltha that late in the season here. The local ones finish early and go dormant.

The Fuchsia is huge. I have to remove some of it next spring, the path is blocked!
I have never seen the Calthas do that either-- they were very small plants and I strongly suspect it was not rebloom, but new seedlings just reaching flowering size, and fall was mild enough.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on November 12, 2020, 04:37:03 PM
Lots of colour and interest still. Larix laricina here is very slow to release needles. I suspect it is some different mechanism than broadleaf trees that drop them more actively-- it is almost like they need to be knocked off by weather etc-- or maybe just because they are so light, gravity alone doesn't do it? Here they have dropped  a lot of the needles, but there is still widespread (muted) colour because they retain some..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Rick R. on November 12, 2020, 09:39:19 PM
i think it is a juvenile characteristic with larix laricina.  it's normal for seedlings to hold their needles even into the winter here in Minnesota.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 14, 2020, 06:07:31 PM
Cohan and Rick R,

Larix laricina is very rarely planted here. This could be L. decidua or kaempferi.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on November 16, 2020, 07:00:33 PM
i think it is a juvenile characteristic with larix laricina.  it's normal for seedlings to hold their needles even into the winter here in Minnesota.

It is not juvenile here, all tamaracks are slow to release the needles...  they eventually all fall, but they don't do it quickly.. they are always the latest of native trees to turn colour in the first place.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on November 16, 2020, 07:01:15 PM
Cohan and Rick R,

Larix laricina is very rarely planted here. This could be L. decidua or kaempferi.

We occasionally-- in towns/cities-- see non-native larches planted.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 17, 2020, 07:15:46 AM
We occasionally-- in towns/cities-- see non-native larches planted.

All larches are non-native here although they have been planted for several hundred years. So they are naturalized many places.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on January 05, 2021, 10:33:59 AM
December was mild and wet, January has so far been cold and sunny. With this cold I would rather have a lot of snow. We may have down to -7C tonight and tomorrow. Some of you will think that isn't bad but it is without snow. - In the interior they have -30C and a lot of snow. Want a ride?

[attachimg=1]
https://www.nrk.no/innlandet/kald-og-snorik-start-pa-2021-1.15311551

We were out for a walk the other day. Not much in flower though! A big contrast to the snowy inland. The tarn has however a thin crust of ice.

[attachimg=2]


A Hard Fern adorned with frost

[attachimg=3]


Common clubmoss

[attachimg=4]


Someone has dug out the spiny quillwort from the bottom of the tarn.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on January 05, 2021, 05:38:38 PM
Hi Trond,

Very beautiful scenes!  8)

Thank you so much for sharing the photographs. Even in the winter the plants can be very beautiful - frosted white, covered with snow, or just the scene of the lake or mountains.

Not much snow? It is disappointingly dry here in our part of California. We have had some stormy weather, but for the most part precipitation amounts have been disappointingly low. We are running about 35% of average to date. It is not a good situation, but things can change for the better.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on January 17, 2021, 05:59:26 PM
We got some snow the other day when the temperature increased from -6C to +1C. The temperature will increase a little more the next days so I think the snow will disappear although the ground is still frozen.

Some plants from the garden today.

Torreya californica

[attachimg=1]


Cedrus deodara

[attachimg=2]


Ilex pernyi

[attachimg=3]


Fascicularia bicolor

[attachimg=4]


Hamamelis 'Jelena'

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on January 17, 2021, 06:10:26 PM
My woodland

[attachimg=1]


The garden

[attachimg=2]


Ilex aquifolium

[attachimg=3]

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on January 22, 2021, 07:56:00 PM
Nice views-- I like the yellow berries.
As far as what is cold with or without snow, it can only be measured according to what plants and infrastructure are used to! I expect my plants to be hardy to at least -20 with no snow. Our mild weather in winter is most often dry, and we often get some snow when it gets cold, so they are often lucky to be covered in the coldest times (-30 - -45), but it is not guaranteed, and -20 can easily happen at the beginning or end of winter when there may not be much snow..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 03, 2021, 09:14:42 AM
Cohan,

Most of the native plants take the winter without damage but some of the garden plants will suffer I expect. However cold weather now is less damaging than cold weather in March or April!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on February 04, 2021, 07:04:27 PM
Every winter seems to be different, in terms of how plants take it-- I find even things that are very hardy can be damaged by certain weather--depending on when it gets cold, how warm it was before, probably snow cover or lack, etc. In the same year, some plants can seem to be set back, and others will have their best year ever!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 10, 2021, 08:56:24 AM
Every winter seems to be different, in terms of how plants take it-- I find even things that are very hardy can be damaged by certain weather--depending on when it gets cold, how warm it was before, probably snow cover or lack, etc. In the same year, some plants can seem to be set back, and others will have their best year ever!

Usually it is lack of heat in summer and wet winters with some frosty nights mixed in that kill plants here. Or a very cold spell late in the spring when the plants have started growing. So this very cold(!) winter so far is probably not that bad as it has been mild periods. Hopefully the spring will come without cold spells!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 10, 2021, 09:07:22 AM
Yesterday we went for a walk to Ryvarden Lighthouse. It is a popular area and we have been there many times, but not with snow!

Ryvarden Lighthouse, usually without snow even in winter. (March 2011)

[attachimg=1]


Now the ground is more or less snow covered so we can't expect seing small plants.

A great sallow (Salix caprea) waiting for spring.

[attachimg=2]


Crab apple (Malus sylvestris). Can't expect flowers yet!

[attachimg=3]


Moor birch (Betula pubescens) is the most common species here.

[attachimg=4]


A larch. Larch trees are commonly planted but they are not native to Norway.

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 10, 2021, 09:26:43 AM
Bird cherry (Prunus avium).

[attachimg=1]


Scots pine (Pinus sylvatica)

[attachimg=2]


The south side of the hills are free of snow. The snow doesn't melt in the cold weather but sublime.

[attachimg=3]


The bedrock here is acidic gneiss or something similar, and the soil is mostly peat. A few plants, like bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), common heather (Calluna vulgaris) and  bell heather (Erica cinerea) thrive in the cracks.


[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 10, 2021, 09:44:45 AM
This is a rare sight. You almost never find snow out here and now it has lasted a month!


Looking south. The snow cover the rocks down to sea level.

[attachimg=1]


Looking north. The southern side of the skerries are snow free.

[attachimg=2]


[attachimg=3]


These small cabins are quite new. You can rent one for a night or two and experience the sun set in the Atlantic ocean. The cabins are called Flokehyttene (Floke cabins). Named after Flóki Vilgerðarson who set out from this area to find Iceland in 868. That's a long story (Landnámabók)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landnámabók (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landnámabók)

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on February 11, 2021, 06:10:28 PM
It looks spectacular Trond! The positive side of being very cold - the beautiful blue sky.
Floke cabins seem like a great idea.


Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on February 12, 2021, 07:17:45 PM
Usually it is lack of heat in summer and wet winters with some frosty nights mixed in that kill plants here. Or a very cold spell late in the spring when the plants have started growing. So this very cold(!) winter so far is probably not that bad as it has been mild periods. Hopefully the spring will come without cold spells!

I had one spring a few years ago where things started to grow early, then we had extra cold for a week or so in late May, a few things in the garden were damaged, not too many, and a few natives even, mostly in low wetland areas where the cold air settled. I used to think some plants were damaged after the snow melted in spring, when there was cold, but now I suspect those may be mostly plants which did not harden off properly in fall-- due to sudden snow cover without enough cold before.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on February 12, 2021, 07:19:53 PM
Cute cabins-- good way to make some income from a place where probably no one would want to live full time...lol
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 19, 2021, 05:51:56 PM
We are at the mountain cabin these days. Had to check out after the bitterly cold  weather we had for weeks. When the temperature was about to rise almost 20C we set out while it still was cold. (Easier to drive, the snow is like sand and not slippery when it is cold enough.) When the temperature started to increase so did the precipitation. Got a fair amount of snow in a few days. Today we got a glimpse of the sun so we went for skiing.

You may recognize 3 kind of trees; Scots pine, Norway spruce and downy birch!

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 19, 2021, 06:01:48 PM
Boat shed with stove!

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Iceicles. Soon spring!

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: ian mcdonald on February 19, 2021, 11:02:53 PM
Great scenery Trond.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on February 20, 2021, 01:17:27 PM
Hello Trond

I agree with Ian’s statement, the winter scenes are very beautiful.

How high are the mountain peaks in this area? The valley where the cabins are located? I do not remember asking in the past. I am very curious.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on February 20, 2021, 01:37:09 PM
Winterlicious Trond!
(the term was used for culinary events during winter in Toronto, before Covid)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 20, 2021, 05:18:13 PM
Great scenery Trond.

Thanks Ian.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 20, 2021, 05:35:57 PM
Hello Trond

I agree with Ian’s statement, the winter scenes are very beautiful.

How high are the mountain peaks in this area? The valley where the cabins are located? I do not remember asking in the past. I am very curious.

Thanks Robert.

The mountain peaks isn't actually "peaks", the landscape is more like gently rolling hills. The highest is 1212m/3976ft. The forests are steadily creeping higher and higher, so the highest hills are barely above treeline now. We have to drive 1hr to find the highest peak in the area, 1933m/6343ft.

The valley floor where the cabins are located is about 872m/2861ft. The red cabins were previously used as summer "dairy" houses. Cattle grazed here all summer. Now only a few sheep grazes here.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on February 20, 2021, 09:08:33 PM
Trond,

Thank you for the information. Sometimes I see distant peaks in your photographs. I am guessing these are the high peaks you are referring to.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 21, 2021, 07:07:59 AM
Trond,

Thank you for the information. Sometimes I see distant peaks in your photographs. I am guessing these are the high peaks you are referring to.

Yes, you are right. In north west we have the Hallingskarvet mountain area. It is the highest area around here I mentioned previously.

(Photograph March 2018)

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In north east we have another mountain area with several peaks between 1500 and 1800m. We have to cross a big valley and drive an hour or so to reach this area.

(May 2018)

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 21, 2021, 07:10:13 AM
Winterlicious Trond!
(the term was used for culinary events during winter in Toronto, before Covid)

Gabriela,

You can use that word in several ways I suppose!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on February 21, 2021, 07:17:26 PM
Nice views! Have you been working this winter? are your schools open? Funny to think your mountain cabin is at a lower elevation than me! Of course your land has to rise direct from the sea, so that is very different than my inland altitude (around 1000 m here, give or take). Very snowy scenes-- here we usually do not get a lot of snow during our warmest weather, since that comes from the Pacific and has lost most of its moisture coming over the mountains. During our coldest weather recently (-20 to -27 daytime, -30 to -40 nights) our highways actually were the most slippery of the winter-- there was some very fine snow, and the cold made it pack down very tight and slick on the road.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on February 22, 2021, 06:55:17 AM
Cohan,

Thanks, - no, I haven't been working. At least not the with the job I had. I am retired! My old school has mostly been open this year I think. But other schools have been closed for shorter or longer time.

Yes, our mountain cabin is at a lower elevation but higher latitude than your place! It looked much more montane here while my father-in-law was a "cowboy" here before ww2. The forest has crept in steadily and now only the highest summits are free of trees - almost. Small pines has shown upon the highest ridge in the district (1212m) so in 100 more years all this will be wooded.

During this week the temperature has arisen 25C so now it is around 0C in the nights. But it will not be real spring here in another 2 months!

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on February 26, 2021, 08:12:05 PM
Cohan,

Thanks, - no, I haven't been working. At least not the with the job I had. I am retired! My old school has mostly been open this year I think. But other schools have been closed for shorter or longer time.

Yes, our mountain cabin is at a lower elevation but higher latitude than your place! It looked much more montane here while my father-in-law was a "cowboy" here before ww2. The forest has crept in steadily and now only the highest summits are free of trees - almost. Small pines has shown upon the highest ridge in the district (1212m) so in 100 more years all this will be wooded.

During this week the temperature has arisen 25C so now it is around 0C in the nights. But it will not be real spring here in another 2 months!

Good time to be retired, congrats! They say the woodies are climbing in our mountains as well, though I don't know any spots well enough/long enough to see it.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on March 07, 2021, 07:21:03 PM
Trond,

Thank you for the information concerning the mountain elevations.

It appears that early spring is finally arriving in the low lands near the ocean? Or at least much of the snow is finally gone?
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 09, 2021, 08:00:23 AM
Trond,

Thank you for the information concerning the mountain elevations.

It appears that early spring is finally arriving in the low lands near the ocean? Or at least much of the snow is finally gone?

Robert,

the spring has arrived in the lowland. The snow has gone and most of the frozen soil has thawed. We are back to normal weather conditions which means we still can have frosty nights, especially after clear days. The spring flowering is a couple weeks later than normal though.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 09, 2021, 08:11:04 AM
Yesterday, March 8, the weather was nice but a little cold. -3C during the night and +5C during the day. We took a walk on the island of Bokn, 1/2 hour drive south of us.

Looking east, to the mainland, where the oil and gas refinery of Kårstø can be seen in the distance.

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Junipers (Juniperus communis) cover much of the pastures.

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The non-native Sitka spruce is planted a lot. Scots pine is native here though.

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Huperzia selago is common here and many places it is the only green plant at this time of the year.

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Sphagnum moss and Lycopodium annotinum in the shade.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 09, 2021, 08:26:15 AM
The landscape looks barren. From old the heather has been burnt on a regular basis and huge flocks of sheep are grazing here all year.

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Tree like junipers are common. Also small rowan trees are common here.

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It is a lot of skerries and small islands here but also larger ones like Karmøy in the distance.

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It is also many freshwater lakes and small tarns here.

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The bogs are covered by sedges and purple moorgrass (Molinia caerulea) but the tan colour on the far side of the tarn is due to dead bracken fronds.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 09, 2021, 08:45:43 AM
The heather is badly damaged by the cold and dry winter. It is not dead though but will regenerate. The birch trees are formed by the wind that always blows here.

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Rowan trees and blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) shrubs.

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The northern point is close.

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The headlight of Boknahåve (head of Bokn), the northernmost point. A salmon farm is in the sea.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 09, 2021, 08:59:58 AM
Rowan trees (Sorbus aucuparia) and eared sallow (Salix aurita).

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Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

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Pin cushion moss (Leucobryum glaucum).

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on March 10, 2021, 07:26:29 PM
Nice place to have an outing!

I recently photographed something that may just be a 'longer' moss than I usually see, or something Lycopodium-ish, will have to post some photos.. I've never seen any such things (if it's not moss) on the farm before..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Leena on March 10, 2021, 07:40:19 PM
Trond, your landscapes make me wish I could just walk around there and sit on rocks and watch the sea. Really beautiful and different from what is here.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 11, 2021, 04:03:30 PM
Nice place to have an outing!

I recently photographed something that may just be a 'longer' moss than I usually see, or something Lycopodium-ish, will have to post some photos.. I've never seen any such things (if it's not moss) on the farm before..

Cohan,

Yes - and it's the first time we visit here but not the last!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 11, 2021, 04:05:32 PM
Trond, your landscapes make me wish I could just walk around there and sit on rocks and watch the sea. Really beautiful and different from what is here.

Leena,

It is nice watching the sea when the sun shines but yesterday we had a rainstorm with strong wind. Not that funny to sit at the seaside at that time! Not for long anyway :)

Do you have a photo of your landscape?
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Leena on March 12, 2021, 09:25:52 AM
I love most in your pictures the feeling of space there is by the sea or in the mountains (also here in northern Lapland and in the coastline).
Where I live it is mostly cultivated fields or forests (spruce mostly and pine) and only in national parks the forests are old and diverse, and beautiful. Most of the forests are used for industry and they don't have time to grow very old (over 60 years) before they are cut down.  I do love old and diverse forests but they are only in small patches.
This picture is from last April when I was with my husband (who took the photo) looking for Hepaticas couple of kilometres from our house. Hepaticas grew there by the edge of the forest.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 13, 2021, 07:06:59 AM
Leena,

We still have much open space here but it is rapidly decreasing. Both in the mountains and at the coast forests are steadily increasing. Until about 50 years ago huge areas along the coast were burnt on a regular basis to get grazing areas for livestock and farmers kept livestock on pastures high in the mountains during summer. Climate change also make it easier for forests to increase, especially in the mountains.

Old forests are getting rare here also. Only a few percents are protected. I like forests too as I grew up with forests close to the door although I lived in Oslo!

Your photo shows more hills than I expected! Somehow I expected a flatter landscape :) Anyway it looks nice. Hope you will find hepaticas soon!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on March 15, 2021, 07:41:18 PM
Trond – Leena

This is an interesting discussion you have started.

Here in California the situation is similar. In the last 170 years many ecosystems in California have been, more or less, obliterated. For example, the various low elevation native bunchgrass, annual/perennial forb ecosystems are gone or have been reduced to fragmented remnants. Here in California, the Eurasian annual grasses that have replaced the native bunchgrasses compound the explosive wildfire dilemma we currently face each fire season. In addition, these altered grassland ecosystems are much less effective as carbon sinks, or this is our current hypothesis. This question (effectiveness of various grassland ecosystems as carbon sinks) is part of an additional research project that my brother and I are pursuing.

From a horticultural perspective, the loss of biodiversity in California is devastating. The actual losses are unknown, however the genome from which new native plant varieties can be created has been reduced dramatically. In the new scenario of rapid climatic change and shifts, the need for a diverse and extensive gene pool to draw upon to create resilient new varieties (both ornamental as well as food, forage, and fiber crops) is needed, now, more than ever. Personally, I am not placing my hopes on CRISPER and other forms of biotechnology to rescue humanity from an increasingly dire dilemma.

In the mean time, I too watch as the old growth forests (and much more) rapidly disappear within my lifetime.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 16, 2021, 08:10:49 AM
......

Personally, I am not placing my hopes on CRISPER and other forms of biotechnology to rescue humanity from an increasingly dire dilemma.

In the mean time, I too watch as the old growth forests (and much more) rapidly disappear within my lifetime.

Biotechnology, including CRISPR, can't save us from devastating the nature. I am afraid we will lose most of the wild and unspoiled nature in most of the World in my time.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Leena on March 17, 2021, 11:22:51 AM
Your photo shows more hills than I expected! Somehow I expected a flatter landscape :) Anyway it looks nice. Hope you will find hepaticas soon!

Well, you are right that mostly the south-western Finland is more flat with more fields:), but near where I live there are more forests and low hills (rocky so they haven't been made to fields).
In the map of Finland the darker green is forests and lighter green is fields so there are lots of forests. Our area (marked in black) has quite big forest area.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 17, 2021, 09:55:52 PM
Leena,

So you live in the extreme south-west "corner" of Finland. I suppose the climate is milder there than inland?
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 17, 2021, 09:57:45 PM
Some nice sunny days lately but not very warm Warm enough though for the bumblebees.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 17, 2021, 10:05:23 PM
Another trip to the island of Bokn. This time to the southwestern end of the island.

Pasture for sheep and horses all year.

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Boknafjorden

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White capped mountains on the mainland.

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The white boats are the ferries crossing Boknafjorden. This is the main coastal road so it is only 20 minutes between the departures.

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This aquatic moss (Fontinalis sp) has found a little freshwater trickle close to the sea.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 17, 2021, 10:20:17 PM
I found a colony of sea spleenwort (Asplenium marinum) close to the sea. The first found on this island.

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Some interesting lichens also.

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The only flowering plants we saw were these lesser celandines in a holt.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on March 17, 2021, 11:59:18 PM
Nice Trond! It seems there are many places available for exploration :)
Day trip I assume.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Leena on March 18, 2021, 09:36:53 AM
Leena, So you live in the extreme south-west "corner" of Finland. I suppose the climate is milder there than inland?

Yes:). From our place it is about 40km to the coast. Winter is not as cold or long here as in more middle or east of Finland, but the warmest part of Finland (for gardening) would be the coast line from Turku to the north, and also archipelago of Turku (to the north west from us). Here the minimum temperature this winter was -24C when in east of Finland it was below -30C (and in Lapland even colder), but of course there was more snow than what we have. Most of my garden is still under snow but soon it will melt:).
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on March 31, 2021, 06:41:23 PM
March has been a dull month actually. Not many days above 10C but not many nights below 0C either. Flowering is delayed compared to the previous years. Here are some that flower now:

Heloniopsis orientalis

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Heloniopsis kawanoi

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Cardamine enneaphylla

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Corydalis solida

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Erythronium dens-canis

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on March 31, 2021, 10:22:26 PM
Lots of flowers, even if it is a bit slow :)  I noticed the first noses of Muscari azureum yesterday, have to hunt to see if any Crocus or Tulipa are starting to poke out.. still early here..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on April 12, 2021, 09:05:59 AM
Lots of flowers, even if it is a bit slow :)  I noticed the first noses of Muscari azureum yesterday, have to hunt to see if any Crocus or Tulipa are starting to poke out.. still early here..


Cohan,

the spring here has had a standstill all April so far. You will soon catch up!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on April 12, 2021, 09:23:34 AM
Out for a walk yesterday. The first decent weather in weeks. Spyssøy, a small island not very far from here and connected with a bridge so no boat needed. The spring is far behind schedule this year.

A sole dandelion in the road verge. Should be thousands by this time.

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Also only one primrose in flower here but also grazing sheep are to blame, not only the weather.

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Nice sunshine and almost no wind but only some small spring draba (Draba verna) in flower.

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In the shade of the trees a little night frost still linger. No flower of the goldilocks buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus) or ramsons.

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Mossy forest. This had no trees 100 years ago but was farmland. Now only sheep and deer use the former pastures. It is too many of them so nothing except moss survive.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on April 12, 2021, 09:38:53 AM
Thuja moss (Thuidium tamariscinum) is common here, but it is hundred of other moss species also.

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A few ferns species can be found. Here is the maidenhair spleenwort which is rather common here. Several other species can be found on steep rocks but the sheep devour all they can reach.

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A standing birch and a fallen pine.

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Old walls.

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and an old elm Ulmus glabra.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on April 12, 2021, 07:03:09 PM
Out for a walk yesterday. The first decent weather in weeks. Spyssøy, a small island not very far from here and connected with a bridge so no boat needed. The spring is far behind schedule this year.

Mossy forest. This had no trees 100 years ago but was farmland. Now only sheep and deer use the former pastures. It is too many of them so nothing except moss survive.


I am glad to see good weather returned in your region Trond. It is certainly disappointing to see a long awaited spring turning back to winter-like.
We had experienced unusual high temp. (up to 24C!), everything has sprung into growth and now are returning to spring like temp (10-15C). All seems to be upside down.

I like the look of the mossy forests; it is mostly in the Western part of Canada that we can see something like this.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on April 14, 2021, 06:31:08 AM
Gabriela,

Yes, it is as it should be at this time weather-wise and will be even better in near future (above 10C). But most plants are behind schedule!

24C is unheard of here at this time of the year and is rare even in summer!

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Tristan_He on April 14, 2021, 09:15:42 AM

I like the look of the mossy forests; it is mostly in the Western part of Canada that we can see something like this.

It looks exactly like some habitat in Wales - right down to the sheep!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on April 14, 2021, 06:40:48 PM
It looks exactly like some habitat in Wales - right down to the sheep!

Interesting. So I don't have to visit Wales then to know how it looks :)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on April 25, 2021, 07:19:49 PM
After a mostly mild and dry March, April has seen a mix of warm and chilly with snow, but things are starting to flower.
I had to look up 'holt' a word not rare in people's names, but I have never (that I recall) seen it used otherwise- I got the definitions -a den, as for an otter; or archaic: a small wood, copse.. I kind of like this use, will have to remember it! I guess it was the latter where you found the buttercup?
I love old stone walls.. it would take a lot of hunting around here to find suitable rocks-- some fields turn up a lot of glacial stone, but they are mostly not flat, as you see in my rock gardens. There can be a fair bit of sandstone, but still , prob no more than 10% of the rocks, if that, I could maybe do a piece of wall a couple of feet long and a couple high with the sandstone I have...lol the other stuff would need mortar or some really patient fitting!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on May 09, 2021, 02:42:14 PM
Cohan,

A holt or more common skogholt means a small patch of wood in Norwegian. The same root as Holtz in German.

We do not run out of rocks here! We have all kind of it but unfortunately I can't collect them from all the places I want to!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on May 09, 2021, 02:49:17 PM
Some ferns from the last days:

A strange form of Asplenium trichomanes.

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Aspleniumruta-muraria

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Asplenium adianthum-nigrum

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Cystopteris fragilis

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Polystichum aculeatum

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on May 09, 2021, 03:25:18 PM
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium likes running water.

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So does Rhyncostegium riparioides.

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Locals

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on May 09, 2021, 03:44:03 PM
Oxalis acetosella, common everywhere.

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The pink form is rarer.

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Primrose

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Viola riviniana

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Salix caprea, goat willow stem.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on May 09, 2021, 11:27:59 PM
Very nice images Trond and so many ferns :)
I think there are some subsp. of trichomanes? it surely looks very different.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on May 11, 2021, 07:47:34 PM
Wow, that Chrysosplenium! I am happy to find a few small patches!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on May 11, 2021, 10:17:29 PM
Very nice images Trond and so many ferns :)
I think there are some subsp. of trichomanes? it surely looks very different.

Thanks Gabriela.

It is several subspecies of trichomanes and possibly two are found is this area but the this one one is neither. It is probably a mutation and is completely sterile.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on May 11, 2021, 10:24:15 PM
Wow, that Chrysosplenium! I am happy to find a few small patches!

This species does often grow like that in huge patches. The other common native species (alternifolia) makes much smaller patches.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Gabriela on May 11, 2021, 11:29:53 PM
Thanks Gabriela.

It is several subspecies of trichomanes and possibly two are found is this area but the this one one is neither. It is probably a mutation and is completely sterile.

I only know the regular one; could it be a hybrid of some sort?
If a natural mutation you can try to cultivate it and give it a cultivar name :)
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on June 01, 2021, 07:02:18 AM
I only know the regular one; could it be a hybrid of some sort?
If a natural mutation you can try to cultivate it and give it a cultivar name :)

I don't think it is a hybrid, more likely a mutation. I have heard similar ones are found once or twice before.

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on June 01, 2021, 07:17:33 AM
On the skerries west of Bømlo. Yesterday we went by boat to some smaller islands and skerries to look at the flora. We couldn't go ashore everywhere as seagulls and terns were nesting there. The number of seabirds have diminished considerably during the last 50 years so we didn't want to disturb the rather few we saw.

Bird droppings are very nutritious but not all plants like that! One that does is the red campion (Silene dioica).

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on June 01, 2021, 07:24:10 AM
On one of the bigger islands (uninhabited but sheep are grazing there) we found several colour forms of Polygala serpyllifolia. The common colour is blue.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on June 01, 2021, 07:34:36 AM
Heath milkwort and tormentil

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Heath milkwort and common lousewort

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Common lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica)

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Sea thrift (Armeria maritima)

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Common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris)

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: ian mcdonald on June 01, 2021, 09:00:03 PM
Trond, I have recently seen Tormentil with five petals. On making enquiries it seems this has been seen in other parts of the UK.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on June 02, 2021, 06:43:31 AM
Trond, I have recently seen Tormentil with five petals. On making enquiries it seems this has been seen in other parts of the UK.

Ian, that's interesting. I have seen it once or twice only.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on June 07, 2021, 07:08:02 PM
Nice plants on those islands. Those patches of Silene are impressive! Is it larger (in size, besides numbers) in those fertilised spots?
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 28, 2021, 09:01:35 AM
Cohan,

the skerries are fertilized by birds, lots of birds!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 28, 2021, 11:51:13 AM
I have a few months to catch up! These are from June 2021. We were visiting a friend  with a big garden close to a fjord 1 1/2 hours away by car.
He has several trees on his property, Sequoia sempervirens is one of them.

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Another is Davidia involucrata.

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Not on his property but in a deciduous forest close by we found Sorbus hybrida in flower

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and some old gnarled Ulmus glabra specimens.

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Menyanthes trifoliata was growing in a little tarn.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 29, 2021, 01:27:13 PM
Last June we took an excursion on Telemarkskanalen (the Telemark canal). It is 105km long and was started in 1854 and finished in 1892. It is 18 locks which lift the boats 72m from Skien at the sea to Dalen. Boats up to 31.4m long and 6.6m broad can pass the locks. The trip takes about 10 hours with the old canal boats.

Early morning.The old canal boat "Victoria" (1882) moored to quay in Skien before departure.

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First part of the canal. The canal consists of several lakes and rivers. The locks were built where rapids and waterfalls prevented the boats to pass.

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Seems other seafarers are waiting for their turn in the locks.

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More locks

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 29, 2021, 01:43:10 PM
Keep left. The waterfall is too steep.

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Gates closed. Have to wait till the chamber fills up.

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Many lakes are linked by rivers and narrow naturally sounds.

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A beaver's home.

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The lakes are narrow but very deep.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 29, 2021, 02:27:07 PM
The last lake in the link, Lake Bandak, 27km long, rather narrow and 325m deep.

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Steep banks with pines..

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..and elm, linden, oak and birch.


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Screes...

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.. and Hotel Dalen. We were brought by this bus Ford Fleur de Lys 1928 from the quay to the hotel.

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This waterway were in use long before the locks were built. It is documented that whetstones were exported toEurope more than 1200 years ago.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 30, 2021, 01:12:45 PM
The warm, steep south exposed broadleaf forests along Lake Bandak support a lot of different plants.

Campanula cervicaria

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Silene vulgaris

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Actaea spicata

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Paris quadrifolia

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Vicia sylvatica

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 30, 2021, 01:29:47 PM
The forest form of Ranunculus acris (R. acris is divided in several forms in Norway).

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Polygonatum vertillcillatum

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Polystichum lonchitis

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Sanicula europaea

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Neottia ovata

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 30, 2021, 03:54:32 PM
Lathyrus niger

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Geranium sylvaticum

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Not a plant but sitting in the grass with the white clover, Parnassia apollo.

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Hypochaeris maculata without spots.

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Dactylorhiz maculata sp maculata or fuchsii

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on November 30, 2021, 04:13:26 PM
At 550m ASL we found Caphalanthera longifolia. A new site for this species and the highest so far in Norway

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It is a nice view of Lake Bandak.

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Here the steep scree ends and the common spruce forest

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The flora is different, Maianthemum bifolium

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Vaccinium myrtillus (common "blåbær","blueberry" in Norwegian) and Chamaepericlymenum suecicum ("skrubbær", "wolfsberry" in Norwegian) dominate.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Robert on December 01, 2021, 10:44:30 PM
Trond,

Your posting depicts a very interesting bit of your Norwegian history. As usual the Norwegian countryside is incredibly beautiful. The plants featured are for the most part foreign to our part of California; however they must be well-known to gardeners and botanists in Europe. Thank you for sharing everything.

Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on December 03, 2021, 04:46:31 PM
Robert,

Most plants here in Norway are more or less well known in Europe. We have very few endemics due to the short time since the last glaciation that covered all Norway. Some plants are rare in the European lowland though.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on December 03, 2021, 04:59:00 PM
The return voyage. After two nights at the hotel we went back the same way as we came. A voyage, even only 10 hours on inland lakes, are very relaxing! These lakes are fjords that was cut off from the sea when the land heaved after the glaciers melted 10000 years ago. The uplifting here is about 100m and continues still.

Our ship, M/S Victoria.

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It is rather narrow.

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Still a few steps down.

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Guess who is waiting for their turn!

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Nik on December 03, 2021, 05:51:58 PM
We watched the Norwegian slow TV “ Telemarkskanalen – minutt for minutt” a year ago. It was so truly enjoyable! Nice pictures and thank you for sharing them!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Nik on December 03, 2021, 05:55:21 PM
For me, the “ Bergensbanen – minutt for minutt” was the best thought.. from the same slow TV series.
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on December 04, 2021, 05:36:38 PM
For me, the “ Bergensbanen – minutt for minutt” was the best thought.. from the same slow TV series.

I liked both series but didn't watch them continuously! Maybe you should watch the Svalbard minutt for minutt also?


I liked Bergensbanen befor they made the new tunnels and snow protection fences. You could see more of the nature at that time!
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Nik on December 05, 2021, 07:34:48 PM
My husband is obsessed with Svalbard! I will look this up. Thanks!
It is because of me we have not been there yet, but I am not sure I can bring more excuses, so I expect we’ll visit Svalbard in the near future..
Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on December 05, 2021, 09:54:16 PM
My husband is obsessed with Svalbard! I will look this up. Thanks!
It is because of me we have not been there yet, but I am not sure I can bring more excuses, so I expect we’ll visit Svalbard in the near future..

You are welcome!

BTW why don't you want go to Svalbard? I have been there 3 times. Early spring, summer and early fall. The best time to go there depends on what you want to see and do.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on December 07, 2021, 12:44:58 PM
A few photographs from June 2021.

Pinguicula vulgaris is common in moist areas.

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Rosa spinosissima is also common here on Bømlo island but not other places.

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Nymphaea alba occurs in almost every tarn and lake here.

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Drosera intermedia occurs in bogs along the coast.

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Sorbus meinichii is also common here at the coast.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on December 07, 2021, 01:19:16 PM
July 2021

Linum catharticum

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Sagina nodosa

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Lysimachia/glaux maritima

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Geranium pratense

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galium verum

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on December 10, 2021, 05:04:02 PM
Some butterflies and other insects from the mountain pastures and fens.


One of the blues, it is several species here. This is Agriades orbitulus I think.

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Lycaena hippothoe

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A bumblebee on Knautia arvensis

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Erebia ligea

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on December 10, 2021, 05:32:33 PM
more

Lycaena virgaureae

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A blue one!

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Busy insects on Angelica sylvestris.

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An Argynnini

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: Hoy on December 11, 2021, 11:43:12 AM
Some plants from the meadow around our mountain cabin summer 2021.

Botrychium lanceolatum

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Silene vulgaris

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Campanula rotundifolia, very pale and it can't count to 5. It is a stable mutation that come back every summer.

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Rosa majalis, a very hardy wild rose.

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 Leucanthemum vulgare. This clone is smaller and neater than most.

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Title: Re: Some plants I encounter in Norway.
Post by: cohan on December 27, 2021, 07:33:21 PM
Nice catching up- esp now when here everything is white and cold- -39 this morning...lol
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