Well of course there were - oodles of tiny delicate petals. With the aid of a couple of reference books from the ship’s library, I managed to identify about 30 different species, but Svalbard has around 170 different species - quite amazing given the latitude. Here there are no large plants because even in the summer there is insufficient warmth to support larger growth and that also means that the plants rarely propagate by producing seed. Instead most propagate via runners. Occasional patches of relatively lush growth usually indicate that something has died there and the decaying remains are providing much needed nutrients to the soil. The 10s of 1000s of breeding birds also provide good fertiliser on the ground near their roosting ledges. But on the whole the soil is poor in the nutrients needed for plant growth so the flowers are tiny and the plants stunted. Many species clump together for protection against wind and cold. Some flowers follow the sun throughout the day and provide warm cozy resting spots for flies, some are intricate, some are simple like the Svalbard poppy (the National flower).
Fascinating, intriguing and thrilling! I’ll leave you to graze on some ..... I think I have the right names. If not, help me out please!
It was so tranquil wandering among the flowers in the tundra. I even saw Arctic Bell-Heather but difficult to photograph. Bending in all our clobber and then getting up again was a challenge.
This is Moss Campion. Notice how the plants clump together for warmth.
Mountain Sorrel
A wee Nodding Lychnis (Campion family and very similar to ones we found in Ireland last year).
These little beauties are Yellow Mountain Saxifrage.
Isn't this stunning?! the flower is about 1cm.
Tufted Saxifrage. There are many different species in the Saxifrage family
This wee thing is an Arctic Mouse-ear Chickweed. So dainty.
More tufting saxifrage. I just love the geometric patterns it creates.
Purple Saxifrage
Polar Cress. Pretty and so delicate!
Purplish Braya
Spider Plant. No surprise that this propagates with runners. It looks like something from another planet! It has bright yellow flowers.
The Svalbard Poppy - the National flower
Mountain Avens
Polar Willow. This is a male plant. These wee willows are sometimes called Svalbard’s trees. That being the case we walked through many forests! And as they say in these parts 'if you get lost in the forest, stand up'. haha
Polar Willow. This might even be the Dwarf species. All the willows in Svalbard are prostrate and sneak along the ground with mosses and other plants for protection. They have separate male and female plants
The seed head of the Mountain Avens is so beautiful
The Mountain Avens
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