Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: Hoy on July 27, 2016, 03:42:35 PM
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Finse is the highest point (1222 m asl) at the railway from Oslo to Bergen. It is a railway station there, two hotels and a scientific research centre. No proper road though, only a small dirt road. It is very popular to rent a bicycle at Haugastøl and bike to Finse and further to Flåm. It is possible to bring the bike with the train also.
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Finsevatn:
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Sombody has once thrown some seeds of a poppy along the line and they still appear every year.
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Silene dioica is natural though but comes in different colours and shapes along the line as well as high up in the mountains.
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Viola tricolor likes the crushed stone along the track.
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Silene vulgaris
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Arabis alpina along the track but also very high up where the snow lingers still.
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Cerastium cerastoides
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(To be continued)
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8) Loving this, Trond!
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Some lovely wild flowers there, but also a good deal of snow. When were the photographs taken?
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8) Loving this, Trond!
Hope you will like the rest of it also, Maggi :)
Some lovely wild flowers there, but also a good deal of snow. When were the photographs taken?
Alan,
Sorry I did forget to write the date. Pictures was taken this week, starting Sunday July 24. In this area the snow will last all summer.
South of Finse lake is Hardangerjøkelen, a big glacier. It is to the left in this picture. The other patches of snow are "fenner" accumulations of snow that may melt down during summer, often they don't.
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The following pictures are from about 1400 to 1500 m altitude.
This Saxifraga, S. cernua, grows on wet places. Usually it has just one flower in the top but a lot of bulbils. It is common in the mountains.
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Silene suecica is also common. It can be quite showy. It is also found at the most inhospitable places like wind and rainswept summits.
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In wet places (no lack of wet places up here- it rains a lot and the snow melts everywhere!) you can find several small Epilobiums. The smallest is E. anagallidifolium.
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Close-up of Epilobium anagallidifolium.
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Not much grows where the snow takes a long time to melt. You can find mosses and a few other plants.
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The lemmings like to live under the snow here during winter but disappear when the snow melts. Here are lemming droppings. They can cover much of such snowmelt patches.
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Ranunculus pygmaeus can grow at such snowmelt patches, especially if they stay moist.
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Saxifraga cespitosa prefers spots that melt earlier.
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A melting "fonn" (snowdrift) makes a lot of water. The red colour is due to an algae growing in the cold water.
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Philonotis (fontana?) is a very common moss on the permanent wet areas, especially where water come up from the underground.
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Saxifraga rivularis likes it here!
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(More is coming)
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A lot of insects are out when the sun shines. Here is a Zygaena exulans visiting a Silene acaulis.
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Silene acaulis is popular among the insects. This is a Boloria napaea(?) visiting it.
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Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia, is common at the coast as well as high up in the mountains.
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Erigeron uniflorus.
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Saxifraga tenuis
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Diphrasiastrum alpinum
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Some lichens:
Cladonia bellidiflora
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Possibly a Flavocetraria sp
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Unknown
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Finse is the highest point (1222 m asl) at the railway from Oslo to Bergen. It is a railway station there, two hotels and a scientific research centre. No proper road though, only a small dirt road. It is very popular to rent a bicycle at Haugastøl and bike to Finse and further to Flåm. It is possible to bring the
That would be the train line featured in that wonderful movie "O`Horten"?
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Irish movie? ;D
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Does sound like it, but no, Norwegian. Main character is called Odd Horten.
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Hi Trond,
The photographs are completely fascinating! Many of the species are familiar to me. Some are very new to me. At the high elevations, such as where you are now, what species make up the bulk of the greenery? At high altitudes in the Sierra Nevada Poaceae and Cyperaceae can be very dominant. Even on the highest peaks one can find Carex species or Elymus elymoides. Of coarse, there are choice Eriogonum species, and others too. It seems Mosses and/or Lichens are very common where you are now?
Anyway, very cool. 8) 8) 8) I am enjoying the sights immensely. By the way, the first photograph of the train tracks and station seems very familiar. You have been to the area before?
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That would be the train line featured in that wonderful movie "O`Horten"?
You are right Ralph. I have not seen that movie so I had to look it up ;)
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Hi Trond,
The photographs are completely fascinating! Many of the species are familiar to me. Some are very new to me. At the high elevations, such as where you are now, what species make up the bulk of the greenery? At high altitudes in the Sierra Nevada Poaceae and Cyperaceae can be very dominant. Even on the highest peaks one can find Carex species or Elymus elymoides. Of coarse, there are choice Eriogonum species, and others too. It seems Mosses and/or Lichens are very common where you are now?
Anyway, very cool. 8) 8) 8) I am enjoying the sights immensely. By the way, the first photograph of the train tracks and station seems very familiar. You have been to the area before?
Glad you like it Robert :)
I will show you examples of the dominating species in the area. It depend of course of the soil/rock, exposure, snow cover and moisture. Sedges, grasses and rushes are often dominant genera among the higher plants. Mosses and lichens are very common also and it is several different species.
You are right Robert, I have been here before and I have shown pictures before ;)
Here is an example of a plant community at 1550m. Flowering plants are dominating although not all flower regularly.
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Species: Sibbaldia procumbens, Taraxacum sp, Salix herbacea, Saussurea alpina, Veronica alpina, Thalictrum alpina, Carex sp.
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Here are some other examples of plant communities, all above 1500m.
Dryas octopetala. Typical on calcareous soil. Here it covers several hectares. Unfortunately it is to late for blooming.
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Sedges and grasses on poorer soil. Here it looks wet due to heavy rain recently. Also Silene wahlbergella (syn Melandrium apetala) was common on this spot.
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Diphasiastrum alpinum is common and here it covers 90% of the area. A few Silene suecica can be seen. I suspect that the rocks here contain heavy metals, maybe copper.
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Salix herbacea can cover vast areas, especially where the now melts late.
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Erigeron uniflorus and lichen. The Erigeron is variable, especially in flower colour.
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More naked areas exist also of course.
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With no soil few plants grow except Ranunculus glacialis. The colour changes from white to reddish when pollinated.
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Views. The Hardangerjøkelen (Hardanger Glacier) to the south.
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Wow! 8) 8)
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Trond,
Very fascinating information! 8)
And the terrain has a very stark beauty. It must be a enjoyable experience to be there in person. It seems to be an awesome wide open county (no trees) very much like the arctic.
Sibbaldia procumbens grows in the Sierra Nevada, however I rarely come across it. Taraxacum sp. and Rumex acetosella, Sheep Sorrel, are invasives often found in high mountain meadows - left-overs from the grazing days in the high Sierra (approx. 1850 + or - to 1960 - 70). Other plants such as Thalictrum, Erigeron, or Ranunculus grow in the Sierra Nevada, but as different species.
In addition, even within the small area of the Lyon's Creek Drainage there appears to be at least 10-15 different species of Carex (it will take a considerable amount of observation on my part to come up with a more precise total). This all within an area above 2,000 meters.
Anyway, it is all very fascinating. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to more, as possible. 8)
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Trond - it seems this is 'the end' of Finse so I can express my admiration :) Robert found the right words - a stark beauty!
I like it very much every time I see the associations of lichens and little plants, too bad is hard to reproduce such in the garden (at least not in mine). Silene suecica is well worth cultivating.
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Trond - it seems this is 'the end' of Finse so I can express my admiration :) Robert found the right words - a stark beauty!
I like it very much every time I see the associations of lichens and little plants, too bad is hard to reproduce such in the garden (at least not in mine). Silene suecica is well worth cultivating.
Hi Gabriela,
It is not the end yet although I am back at the cabin. I have only a slow internet connection at the moment so it takes time to upload pictures! In addition I am outside a lot - not on the internet ;)
I'll bring a few more pictures the next days.
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Trond,
Very fascinating information! 8)
And the terrain has a very stark beauty. It must be a enjoyable experience to be there in person. It seems to be an awesome wide open county (no trees) very much like the arctic.
Sibbaldia procumbens grows in the Sierra Nevada, however I rarely come across it. Taraxacum sp. and Rumex acetosella, Sheep Sorrel, are invasives often found in high mountain meadows - left-overs from the grazing days in the high Sierra (approx. 1850 + or - to 1960 - 70). Other plants such as Thalictrum, Erigeron, or Ranunculus grow in the Sierra Nevada, but as different species.
In addition, even within the small area of the Lyon's Creek Drainage there appears to be at least 10-15 different species of Carex (it will take a considerable amount of observation on my part to come up with a more precise total). This all within an area above 2,000 meters.
Anyway, it is all very fascinating. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to more, as possible. 8)
I stayed there 5 days and had two days with sun (one day rather warm to be up there too) and three days with rain. My rain gear is good so I stayed dry even after 8 hours in constant rain! So it is enjoyable even in rain - if you don't get wet and cold.
The Taraxacums are native and I don't know how many species it is there. As you know they are apomictic! I think it is more than a dozen species of Carex ;) but many are very similar.
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Rhodiola rosea - it grows at the coast and at the highest peaks! Male (yellow) and female plants.
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Cerastium alpinum.
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Saxifraga cespitosa.
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Sibbaldia procumbens close-up.
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Veronica fruticans is common on calcareous soil up here.
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Potentilla crantzii.
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Cardamine bellidifolia is usually found in crevices or among rocks.
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Salix reticulata grows both on dry and moist sites.
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Taraxacum sp. Not all dandelions are weeds.
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A good name for that Cardamine Trond, it's one I've never encounter. If I may ask, what's the brand of your amazing rain gear please?
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A good name for that Cardamine Trond, it's one I've never encounter. If I may ask, what's the brand of your amazing rain gear please?
Cardamine bellidifolia is rather common in the mountains here. You will even find it at Svalbard.
My rain gear, if I can do some PR here, is Bergans of Norway's Bygdin:
https://www.xxl.no/bergans-bygdin-jacket-skalljakke-herre/p/1093267_6_style (https://www.xxl.no/bergans-bygdin-jacket-skalljakke-herre/p/1093267_6_style)
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More flowers:
Saussurea alpina. Common up here but not uncommon at lower altitudes either.
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Salix lapponum.
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Ranunculus acris ssp pumilus. It can be much smaller than this also.
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Parnassia palustris.
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Saxifraga aizoides in schist.
In the valleys the bedrock consists mostly of gneiss. The highest peaks are also usually gneiss, but between these layers layers is a layer of Cambro-Silurian schist.
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A meadow at 1500m.
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A very wet Myosotis decumbens.
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Dancing Saxifraga cernua in the rain.
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Although it is too late for Saxifraga oppositifolia a few late specimens could still be found in flower.
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Draba norvegica, a variable species.
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Veronica alpina. Not as showy as fruticans but charming.
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A small rock garden at 1500 m.
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Saxifraga oppositifolia is often found in crevices but there they flower early.
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Close up Parnassia palustris.
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Primula scandinavica. Most flowers were spent as it flower as soon as the snow melts. Not easy to picture in the steady breeze either.
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Well done Trond, I am enjoying this series.
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Well done Trond, I am enjoying this series.
Thanks David. Here are a few more pictures:
Saxifraga rivularis in its right element!
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Eriophorum scheuchzeri.
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It was only dead lemmings to be seen, not one alive.
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Male catkins of Salix reticulata.
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Cassiope/Harrimanella hypnoides with only seed capsules.
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Someone has trodden on this white Silene acaulis.
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Tofieldia pusilla.
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Astragalus alpinus.
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Oxytropa lapponica, almost similar to the one above but the leaves are more acute and the flowers have usually deeper colour.
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Gentianella tenella, only 2.5cm tall.
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Thanks Trond, I'll keep an eye open for it at the mountain stores here. Beautiful pictures again :)
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Wonderful photos Trond! Thirty plus years ago I had a short holiday in Norway with two friends and we travelled on the Myrdal-Flåm railway. Would be nice to do again, and to stop off and look at the plants! Many thanks for showing them.
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Trond,
It most be interesting visiting the same area. I have travel to some areas in the Sierra Nevada repeatedly and I always see something different or in a different way. For me it is never ending... and great! :)
Thank you so much for sharing this trip with us. I appreciate that you shared some of the geology of this area. I do not come across Gneiss or Schist very often in the Sierra Nevada. The two rock types are somewhat rare in our area, but they can be found.
I very much like seeing the Cottongrass. Eriophorum gracile grows in our area, however I rarely see it. The same with Tofieldia - Triantha (Tofieldia) occidentalis is our Sierra Nevada species.
Parnassia palustris is also native to the Sierra Nevada as well as several other species within this genus. I do not see them very often either.
As for the Taraxacum.... well I learn something new all of the time. :) I did not know that some species were apomixis. We learned that some species of Poa were apomixis in college. I have been distracted for a long time I guess. ;D
Anyway - it seems that it was a rewarding trip. I look forward to your next one... and learning more! 8)
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Such a delight to view your pictures Trond you are showing the plants and habitats that I find so fascinating, thanks for sharing them with us and taking us on your journey.
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Thanks Trond, I'll keep an eye open for it at the mountain stores here. Beautiful pictures again :)
Thanks Gabriela.
I am very satisified with my gear :)
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Wonderful photos Trond! Thirty plus years ago I had a short holiday in Norway with two friends and we travelled on the Myrdal-Flåm railway. Would be nice to do again, and to stop off and look at the plants! Many thanks for showing them.
Thanks Tim.
Next time you have to continue from Myrdal to Finse! It is not very far, you can go by train or bike ;)
Trond,
It most be interesting visiting the same area. I have travel to some areas in the Sierra Nevada repeatedly and I always see something different or in a different way. For me it is never ending... and great! :)
Thank you so much for sharing this trip with us. I appreciate that you shared some of the geology of this area. I do not come across Gneiss or Schist very often in the Sierra Nevada. The two rock types are somewhat rare in our area, but they can be found.
I very much like seeing the Cottongrass. Eriophorum gracile grows in our area, however I rarely see it. The same with Tofieldia - Triantha (Tofieldia) occidentalis is our Sierra Nevada species.
Parnassia palustris is also native to the Sierra Nevada as well as several other species within this genus. I do not see them very often either.
As for the Taraxacum.... well I learn something new all of the time. :) I did not know that some species were apomixis. We learned that some species of Poa were apomixis in college. I have been distracted for a long time I guess. ;D
Anyway - it seems that it was a rewarding trip. I look forward to your next one... and learning more! 8)
Glad you like it Robert! It is always interesting to read your comments!
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Such a delight to view your pictures Trond you are showing the plants and habitats that I find so fascinating, thanks for sharing them with us and taking us on your journey.
Thank you Ian, I appreciate your comments very much!
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A few more:
Minuartia biflora, a rather small but tough plant for exposed sites.
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Oxyria digyna to the left and Polygonum viviparum to the right. Both are edible.
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Michranthes (Saxifraga) stellaris.
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Omalotheca supina. The last four grow everywhere!
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This big piece of schist rock was a real rock garden with 10 species of nice plants growing atop it. Almost all were finished flowering. The grass is Trisetum spicatum, a nice almost black grass.
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Between west and east Finse gets much precipitation, both in winter and summer. Usually the rain in summer are light showers but heavy rain can also be expected. The snowmelt and rain in summer create a lot of running water! It is few bridges so one has to be prepared for wading or long jumps! The different layers of schist makes steps in the bedrock
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The last picture shows a Ranunculus glacialis - one of my favorites :)
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The end.
Thanks for following!
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Wow!
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Trond,
I have really enjoyed your photographic essay on the Finse region: you have covered mostly everything; landscapes, geology and plants. I liked the views of the plant associations with the snowbanks and glaciers; it is really interesting to compare them with the alpine regions of New Zealand. Perhaps your alpine vegetation is sparser and not so species rich but the plant associations are similar. We too have schist and the grass Trisetum spicatum is found here as well. There still seems to be a lot of ice remaining in your mountains compared to our schist block mountains where the ice is long since gone.
Beautiful photos
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Beautiful photos, Trond. Thanks for the Tour. And thanks for the wonderful Ranunculus glacialis photo. Isn't that everyone's favorite alpine plant? It's so pristine.
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Trond,
It is fascinating to see the water and ice work over and through the schist rock formations. Very 8)
In California many rare and/or endemic plant species are associated with serpentine rock. Are certain plant species associated with specific rock types in Norway? Also soils associated with a specific parent rock type can often create unique plant communities. Limestone is an obvious example. Maybe such conditions occur in Norway?
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Trond,
I have really enjoyed your photographic essay on the Finse region: you have covered mostly everything; landscapes, geology and plants. I liked the views of the plant associations with the snowbanks and glaciers; it is really interesting to compare them with the alpine regions of New Zealand. Perhaps your alpine vegetation is sparser and not so species rich but the plant associations are similar. We too have schist and the grass Trisetum spicatum is found here as well. There still seems to be a lot of ice remaining in your mountains compared to our schist block mountains where the ice is long since gone.
Beautiful photos
Thank you David.
The general view is that the glaciers were absent 8000-6000 years ago but came back and had a maximum AD 1600-1800. Now they are retreating again, even at Svalbard.
I hope to visit New Zealand once to compare!
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Wow!
;)
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Beautiful photos, Trond. Thanks for the Tour. And thanks for the wonderful Ranunculus glacialis photo. Isn't that everyone's favorite alpine plant? It's so pristine.
Thank you Anne :)
I take a lot of pictures and have to discard most. I am grateful I don't need to use the old celluloid stuff! (I have never used that, though, but Ektachrome!)
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Trond,
It is fascinating to see the water and ice work over and through the schist rock formations. Very 8)
In California many rare and/or endemic plant species are associated with serpentine rock. Are certain plant species associated with specific rock types in Norway? Also soils associated with a specific parent rock type can often create unique plant communities. Limestone is an obvious example. Maybe such conditions occur in Norway?
Serpentine and olivine are common some places in Norway and are associated with special plant associations although few species are only found there. Most of S Norway are granite and gneiss which weather to acidic poor soils. It is therefore very interesting to visit the areas with other kind of rock, like limestone and schist.
Where the schist is "soft" it weathers easily and give a rich soil.
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Thank you Anne :)
I take a lot of pictures and have to discard most. I am grateful I don't need to use the old celluloid stuff! (I have never used that, though, but Ektachrome!)
Trond, I'm scanning a lot of old slides which I used to think were wonderful pictures, but I'm seeing now the difference between them and the pictures from my digital camera. The difference is huge. A lot of the old slides will end up being discarded.
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Trond,
Thank you for the above information. Limestone, Gabbro, and Serpentine are most often associated with unusual plant communities in California. Many of our rare and endemic species are associated with Gabbro and Serpentine.
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Great pictures thank you
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Great pictures thank you
Thanks Julia :)