Under blomstringen ser villøken mer rufsete ut, med blomster som både henger ned og strutter i alle retninger fra blomsterstanden. Strandløkens (Allium vineale) blomster har kortere stilk og står ryddige opprett i blomsterstanden. Det er når disse to artene står i blomst de er enklest å skille fra hverandre, og på Fyrsteilene vokser de spredt […]
Villgulroten er en toåring plante som jeg kun har funnet ett sted på Fyrsteilene. Den kan ha kommet hit med mennesker eller fuglene og er av fremmedartene på øya blandt de med minst sprednings og invasjonsfare. Fremmedartsbasen 2018 – villgulrot
Endelig står strandløken i blomst. De er ikke like fargerike og tallrike som gressløken, men de tar det igjen i eleganse og lengde. De enkeltsående stenglene vokser seg lange og vaier i den minste bevegelse i luften. Strandløken er en av tre villøkarter som vokser på Fyrsteilene. I tillegg til gressløk (Allium schoenoprasum) vokser også […]
Det var lite humler og bier på våren og forsommeren på Fyrsteilene, men nå er det store mengder av de og her nyter en humle en av de mange frodige og riktblomstrende aksveronikaene. Hvert år er det et kappløp om å rekke å komme i blomst før det skrinne jordsmonnet tørker ut i vinden og […]
Villøken er forskjellig fra de to andre villøkene – strandløk (Allium vineale) og gressløk (Allium schoenoprasum). Den likner på strandløken ved at den også har lange stengler, men i motsetning til den vokser den gjerne i grupper og har blomster som strutter ut som uregjerlig hår i blomsterstanden. Den vokser i tette bestander nord på […]
Denne vakre prikkperikumengen har nå blomstret en stund og det er færre knopper å se på blomsterstandene. Det kan godt hende det er noen firkantperikum innblandet her, men det er prikkperikum som er den dominerende. Dette er en av flere plantearter som danner vakre enger på den skrinne øya Fyrsteilene. Blomsterengene starter fra våren med […]
Strandløken vokser spredt på Fyrsteilene og vokser i motsetning til gressløken som enslige og lange stengler som vaier i vinden. Alle det tre villøkartene vokser på Fyrsteilene og de klarer fint å mostå presset fra de innvaderende og menneskeintroduserte artene som gravbergknapp (Phedimus spurius), både fordi de er tørketolerante og vokser seg mye høyere enn […]
På Fyrsteilene takler åkervindelen presset fra de innvaderene og menneskeintroduserte artene som gravbergknapp (Phedimus spurius) fordi den slynger seg raskt opp og utover. Selv der plantene den konkurrerer med blir relativt høye vil den få nok lys. I strandsonen er den enkelte steder den eneste arten som vokser. En konsekvens av at den vokser så […]
Den vakre aksveronikaen vokser over hele Fyrsteilene, men den sliter med konkurranse fra den invaderende og menneskeintroduserte gravbergknappen (Phedimus spurius) som danner ugjennomtrengelige tepper som gjør det vanskelig for frø og spire til levedyktige individer.
Smalkjempen vokser enkelte steder i tette bestander på Fyrsteilene, og den ser ut til å klare konkurransen fra de menneskeintroduserte og innvaderende artene godt. I en av smalkjempeengene valgte et hvitkinngåspar å hekke i år, med hell, så det blir spennende å se om paret velger det i gjen neste år.
Ormehode vokser kun sporadisk på Fyrsteilene, og kanskje en av årsakene kan være at den beites ned av hvitkinngjessene? I skråningen ved båthavna vokser det et stort individ, men den får ikke satt mange frøene fordi gjessene stadig er bortom og napper av den. Ormehode er en toåring plante, og uten frø ingen spredning.
Fyrsteilene har en rik flora der en av disse er aksveronikaen som du kan finne over hele øya. Enkelte steder vokser den i tette bestander, mens andre steder sliter den i konkurransen med invaderende arter som mennesket har introdusert.
I motsetning til gressløken vokser strandløken veldig spredt på Fyrsteilene. Blomsten er også en blek affære i forhold til den lilla gressløken. Her vokser blomsterknoppene opp fra blomsterstanden, og om få dager vil de stå i blomst.
En av de mange planteartene som vokser på Fyrsteilene. Den vokser sporadisk her og der – denne på østsiden ved havna.
Hvitbergknappen vokser spredt på Fyrsteilene og trives der nesten ingen andre arter klarer seg. Denne vokser stor og livskraftig i skråningen ned mot båthavna.
Fyrsteilene har en rik flora, og når det har vært tilstrekkelig med nedbør kan man se alle artene i all sin prakt. Alle de tre villøkartene finnes her, og denne vokser spredt spesielt fra midten til sør på øya. Den mest dominerende av villøkartene er gressløken (Allium schoenoprasum) som blomstrer tidligst av alle og farger […]
Fyrsteilene har en stor bestand åkervindel og når de står i blomst kjenner du den milde og søfte duften når det er lite vind en dag med sol, eller om du dytter nesen ned i en av blomstene. Åkervindelen liker å blande farger og du kan se den helt hvit, rosa, eller en blanding av […]
Strandsmellen trives godt i strandsonen på Fyrsteilene og dette flotte eksemplaret vokser like ved moloen og naustet. På en solrik og vinstille dag kan du kjenne den søte duften fra blomstene selv i god avstand fra plantene.
Fyrsteilene har en stor bestand åkervindel og når de står i blomst kjenner du den milde og søfte duften når det er lite vind en dag med sol, eller om du dytter nesen ned i en av blomstene. Åkervindelen liker å blande farger og du kan se den helt hvit, rosa, eller en blanding av […]
En vakker solnedgang i en av de mange gressløkengene på Fyrsteilene. Det blir nok mange år til neste gang gressløkene har fått vokse seg så store og struttende som i år. Normalt hemmes de av at det er perioder med lite vann, for her på Fyrsteilene er det svært grunnt jordsmonn som tørker ut rask […]
I år har gressløkengen på Fyrsteilene perfekte forhold og resultert i store og saftige planter og digre blomsterstander som her står i full blomst. Mange somre har det sett lovende ut helt til dagene går uten regn og veksten stopper opp og plantene blir spinkle og med middelmådige blomsterstander. Det kan fort tørke også i […]
Mange områder på Fyrsteilene er i år dekket av store og kraftige gressløkplanter etter en lang og fuktig vår og står nå i full blomst. Av ukjent årsak er det desverre ingen summing av humler og bier her i år, kun veldig sporadisk er det en humle eller bie. Hjemme på Svartskog ser jeg det […]
Last time these flowers were seen was 12 years ago, and the next time will be in 12 years! During an entire century this species will bloom only 8 times – that is how unique and rare these flowers are. For 11 years the plant is growing and in the 12th year it is all […]
Winter lingered on for much too long this year, despite the sun rising ever higher in the sky. It seemed spring was skipped altogether as summer arrived out of nowhere and in no time everything was ablaze with colors and fragrance. This is a plum flower on one of my plum trees and it is […]
This intensely colored fruit should be easy to see on the forest floor but is quite hard to find as it is mostly hidden under the leaves of the plant. Furthermore each plant holds very few fruits, and some just one drupe as seen here. A fully formed fruit would hold many drupes and resemble […]
Since a very young kid I remember how the last of summer had such an abundant burst of flowers of this species. And with it so many bumble bees, bees, butterflies and insects of so many kinds were buzzing around these hardy plants. For some time it looked as if the flowering would not happen […]
This is one of countless ways of nature that humans have copied and companies have copyrighted as their own invention and sold as things we cannot live without. For this particular function, I think all of us has one or more objects with this in their home. It is such an ingenious way to ensure […]
This long fruit is how this species got its name. Perhaps not so obvious at this stage as it is more hairy than bloody, but as it matures the red hues will appear and the hairs become less prominent. In fact this species has the most amazing colors in its foliage as it prepares for […]
Summer is well underway now, and thus many plant species are producing fruits, and in this case a very artistic one at that. When ripe these amazing looking bills will open up to what looks like a dry flower with seeds in each section, or petal if you like. The glandular hairs seen here are […]
Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium) Oslo, Norway At first you might think you’ve encountered a red clover (Trifolium pretense). It is after all red, and it is a clover. But take a look at those elongated leaves, and the hue and color of the flowers. They are richer and more vibrant than that of the red […]
This beautiful and relatively large leaved species was my first and only encounter and the only one still with newly opened flowers. The other plants here were already starting to fade and had lost most of the pink hues and become mostly white. This might also be a natural variance of this species, as well […]
This is perhaps the most impressive of all the rhododendron species I encountered during my travel in Bhutan. Not because it was such a huge specimen, it was in fact a young bush which made these flowers accessible to me, as mature plants have their inflorescences too high to reach. Not because it had such […]
This species came as a total surprise to me, and only because I finally encountered a rhododendron plant with white flowers accessible to me on the ground! All the others had been too high on very tall rhododendron trees. The rhododendron encounter was absolutely amazing and will be covered in an upcoming post, but when […]
There are many species of rhododendron that might pass you by when you’re faced with huge trees of them in bloom so lavishly that you cannot keep your eyes off them. I caught a glimpse of a different red hue close to the ground and the road. We stopped so I could take closer look […]
You can get a lot of information on the local weather patterns and precipitation by simply looking at the type of vegetation, and in some places you will know that the clouds are hugging the landscape for long periods of time as these long “beards” only grow to these lengths where the moisture is frequent […]
My previous encounter of this species was carrying one inflorescence with flowers just opening, but was exceedingly hard to get up and close to. I was naturally exhilarated to be able to encounter wonderful specimens here that I could touch and admire as close as I wanted. This very location was a veritable garden with […]
As with a large number of plant species in Bhutan and Himalaya as a whole, this one is a hugely popular garden plant in Europe, as it is so easy to grow. It is so common in garden centers and gardens, that when I realized what species I saw alongside the roads I was reluctant […]
Most of us in the western world, and perhaps in particular in Europe, are familiar with the Rhododendrons in gardens and parks and think of them as some of many beautiful flowers in the spring. Me included. But when you see them in the wild – where they have evolved throughout the aeons – you […]
Sometimes things happen in the blink of an eye, and is in addition completely unexpected. I had stopped at this location to capture an amazingly beautiful Rhododendron growing out of a sheer cliff – almost dangling in the air – like a Bonsai tree. Twisted trunk and full of red flowers. No matter which angle […]
This is the male inflorescence of the endemic sea coconut, or coco de mer. It is endemic to Praslin and its neighbouring island Curieuse, which means it is an endangered species. The incredibly large and unusually shaped seed makes it and extraordinarily popular item to humans, making it harder for the species to successfully reproduce […]
A hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) struggling to push through the entangled vines of the laurel dodder. This is a parasitic species getting all it needs from other plants, just like all the other members of the genus cassytha of the laurel family. These thin vines will not be able to withstand the power of […]
Alle som har tatt borti denne planten får en luktopplevelse som nok gjør at de er litt mer forsiktig neste gang. Lukten er såpass intens at planten står tilnærmet uskadet gjennom en hel sommersesong. Men det de færreste tenker over er at dette er en geranium, en av de mest populære plantene i Norge, og […]
Det vokser rikelig med engtjæreblom her i Sandbukta, og hver forsommer gleder jeg meg over fargeskjæret de gir landskapet. Store insekter som humler summer mellom blomstene, men mindre insekter, og især de som ønsker å kravle opp stengelen, får store problemer. Små bladlus er eksempel på de som setter seg bom fast i det sorte […]
I blomst er dette en vakker og dekorativ art, men straks tiden er kommet for frøspredning, er dette en av mange arter som spesielt hundeeiere blir motvillig godt kjent med. Frøene er nemlig originalen til borrelåsen som vi mennesker er så glade i. De hekter seg på alle fiberløkker, og blir med helt hjem – […]
De fleste anser løkurten som en pest og plage, men de som har så store bestander har vel heller et problem med hvordan jord bruken av den forvaltes. Her i Sandbukta har de virkelig spredt seg langs gjerdet til nummer 1 i år, men det er fordi lindehekken er klippet og jorden i tillegg har […]
Når skogforglemmegeien blomstrer langs hagen til naboen, har våren endelig fått fart og forsommerens rikdom begynt å vise seg overalt. Våren har vært kjølig så langt i år, og dermed har alle blomster stått lenge – til glede for meg og pollineringsprosessen, da lengre blomstring betyr større mulighet for pollinering. Denne forglemmegeiengen er en av […]
Som med hvitveisen, åpner vårkålen blomstene kun når det er sol. På gråværsdager og om natten er kronbladene lukket tett om blomstens edlere deler. På soldager er naboens vårkåleng et fantastisk skue. Skinnende blanke kronblader som reflekterer sollyset som minisoler. Når de står så tett som hos naboen er det et vakkert skue, jeg ser […]
Etter en lang og mørk vinter er jeg virkelig sulten på liv, og søker kjente og kjære lokasjoner i området for å se hvordan det står til med planter og i dette tilfellet få flere magedrag av en fantastisk duft! Til tross for at denne lille gruppen står ved Ingierstrandveien og passeres av mange mennesker, […]
Hver vår er gleden stor over de først plantene som kommer blomster og fargelegger landskapet. Men hvitveisen er jo hvit og minner ikke det om vinteren? For meg er den virkelig ikke et minne om vinteren, men en overdådig vitalitet som noen steder kan fargelegge en vissen bakke hvit med utallige små gule soler. På […]
Det meste går mennesket hus forbi – enten fordi det er så lite, elelr fordi det har en livsrytme så forskjellig fra oss. Hver våre klages det høylydt i media om pollen, og alle kan da se hannblomstene, eller raklene som dingler i vinden. Men hvem legger merke til mottakeren av pollenskyene? Det er for […]
At jeg tar bilder av naturen gjør at jeg også har en god historikk på når og hvor over mange år, og i år ser jeg at selv om våren virket kald og som om den aldri kom igang, så blomstret blåveisen likevel på ganske så samme tid. Dett er min “modell” i hagen som […]
On my way down from my 2 nights in the Haghier mountains I encountered many incredible plant species, many only found here. As it was my last day time was in short supply, and I could only sporadically take photos. This vital specimen thrives amidst a dense and diverse vegetation, supported by the generous amount […]
Socotra is the only place on earth I have encountered hypericum trees! The Haghier mountains of socotra is home to many species of hypericum, but this one reigns supreme. I didn’t have time to look into the regeneration of this particular species, but the hypericums are in general left alone by the goats and cattle […]
No special patterns appear in UV for this flower!
I only found this species in one specific location on Skant (or Skand) – the highest point on all of Socotra – and was grateful it was in bloom. Elevation: 1480 meters.
I only found this species in one specific location on Skant (or Skand) – the highest point on all of Socotra. Elevation: 1480 meters.
On the highest peaks of Socotra you’ll find magnificent deciduous trees like this one. Some were finished shedding leaves whilst others were in yellows or reds like the temperate autumns. Endemic.
Very dull in UV compared to the many color variations in visible light. Endemic.
Close to the top of Socotra, Skant (or Skand) I found some healthy plants of this species under some trees, which was a relief as all the previous I saw on the way up here were either drooping from lack of water or were browsed by goats. Endemic.
Close to the top of Socotra, Skant (or Skand) I found some healthy plants of this species under some trees, which was a relief as all the previous I saw on the way up here were either drooping from lack of water or were browsed by goats. Endemic.
This plant is so small that it’s very easy to miss! On the field below the weather station of Skant I found many of them growing under trees. Endemic.
The yellow center of the flower is dark in UV, and the white petals are also quite dark. In UV this small flower appears prominent against the greyness of the background seen here. Endemic.
This plant has such tiny flowers so they are very easy to miss! On the field below the weather station of Skant I found many of them growing under trees. Endemic.
On the highest peaks of Socotra you’ll find magnificent deciduous trees like this one. Some were finished shedding leaves whilst others were in yellows or reds like the temperate autumns. I was definitely entering their very last moments before the season of rest, so this is perhaps more a developing fruit than that of a […]
The smaller plants on top of Socotra were still in good condition, and thus I found flowers in excellent condition compared to the drooping or even dried ones further down the slopes. Had I come a week or so later, even the plants up here would have been drooping, so I was very grateful! Even […]
The smaller plants on top of Socotra were still in good condition, and thus I found flowers in excellent condition compared to the drooping or even dried ones further down the slopes. Had I come a week or so later, even the plants up here would have been drooping, so I was very grateful! Even […]
Not particularly colorful in visible light and even less so in UV – all dark as it is.
I found many of this species on top of Socotra – Skant (or Skand), but few with good flowers as it was nearing the end of the season. Endemic.
I found many of this species on top of Socotra – Skant (or Skand), but few with good flowers as it was nearing the end of the season. Endemic.
Dark center opposed to the all-yellow appearance in visible light – a typical Asteraceae! Endemic.
The wooly leaves makes this plant easy to identify year round. Endemic.
As I was getting closer to the highest of the Haghier (or Haggeher) mountains – Skant (or Skand) – I noticed this plant with wooly leaves, but none with flowers, or at least none with fresh flowers. On the very top of Socotra, on Skant, I did find some that still not past blooming. Again […]
A most peculiar plant! I only found this plant with fresh flowers, but unfortunately not with open flowers yet. I found it in very steep terrain close to the top of Skant (Skand). Here the goats seemed to have been unable to destroy the vegetation, so it was exceptionally dense and varied.
A most peculiar inflorescence, but with with very attractive color! I found only two plants with this stage of flowering and fresh leaves seen here – all other were passed bloom. Again the top of Socotra – Skant (or Skand) was the very last range for the season, as on lower altitudes the dry season […]
A most peculiar inflorescence, but with with very attractive color! I found only two plants with this stage of flowering – all other were passed bloom. Again the top of Socotra – Skant (or Skand) was the very last range for the season, as on lower altitudes the dry season was well underway.
A most peculiar plant! I only found this plant with fresh flowers, but unfortunately not with open flowers yet. I found it in very steep terrain close to the top of Skant (Skand). Here the goats seemed to have been unable to destroy the vegetation, so it was exceptionally dense and varied.
A most peculiar plant! I only found this plant with fresh flowers, but unfortunately not with open flowers yet. I found it in very steep terrain close to the top of Skant (Skand). Here the goats seemed to have been unable to destroy the vegetation, so it was exceptionally dense and varied.
Contrary to available literature, this is not necessary a cushion plant, unless goats get to them. I found this specimen of epic proportions on a sheer cliff – unacessible to the goats. It was like a tree – perhaps many hundreds of years old. This is a typical example of how goats have transformed many […]
Never in my entire life have I seen hypericum grow as dense and tall shrubs as on top of Socotra (Skant)! I was mesmerized by the abundance of plants and flowers, and also relieved that goats leave at least this species alone. Endemic.
Never in my entire life have I seen hypericum grow as dense and tall shrubs as on top of Socotra (Skant)! I was mesmerized by the abundance of plants and flowers, and also relieved that goats leave at least this species alone. Endemic.
Hypericums are beautiful in UV light, as they are not uniformly colored, and this species is no exception. This species forms impenetrable thickets dotted with flowers, that seem pruned by an expert, but neither goat nor human have anything to to with this amazing growth! Endemic.
Yet another Convolvulaceae with identical color in UV light! I have yet to encounter one, no matter ho many different colors in visible light, that is not the same in UV!
Resembles Convolvulus sarmentosus, but its petals are rounded outwards opposed to this one which are flattened and pointing inwards at the mid-nerve of the petals. Also grows on lower elevations than this (1500 meters elevation), but few are intact as they are eaten by goats and cows. A very small plant, but that I think […]
Resembles Convolvulus sarmentosus, but its petals are rounded outwards opposed to this one which are flattened and pointing inwards at the mid-nerve of the petals.
The tiny flowers are dark in UV light compared to the mellow cream in visible light. Endemic.
I wish I had a week on top of Socotra as there are so incredibly many magnificent plants species and many grow only on socotra! This was the only specimen I could find on Skant (Skand), but with more days I’m certain I would have found magnificent speciemens if I could have climbed where goats […]
I wish I had a week on top of Socotra as there are so incredibly many magnificent plants species and many grow only on socotra! This was the only specimen I could find on Skant (Skand), but with more days I’m certain I would have found magnificent speciemens if I could have climbed where goats […]
With or without flowers, I find this plant really beautiful as it spreads out over the rocks of Socotras highest peaks. This was one of very few with inflorescences – on the very highest mountain of Socotra – Skant. Endemic.
As the island of Socotra is basically one big goat farm, there are very few plants that are not consumed, or at least stunted by their grazing. Several plant species are venomous while others emit sticky or foul tasting juice. This species has no such defense and is eaten by goats. Thus I was looking […]
This species grows to the size of small trees, and this one is just a few meters from the highest point of Socotra – Skant (or Skand). Endemic
No surprise in color distribution in UV light compared to visible light for this species – brighter center compared to the darker outer. Endemic.
This species grows to the size of small trees, and this one is just a few meters from the highest point of Socotra – Skant (or Skand). Endemic.
The flowers of this giant of hypericums are dark in center in UV, compared to the all-yellow in visible light. Endemic.
When I suddenly stood in front of a hypericum tree, my heart jumped an extra beat and I jumped towards it in awe to make sure I did not hallucinate! This plant is close to 3 meters tall and is not only endangered due to it’s endemism and very limited range but must be of […]
When I suddenly stood in front of a hypericum tree, my heart jumped an extra beat and I jumped towards it in awe to make sure I did not hallucinate! This plant is close to 3 meters tall and is not only endangered due to it’s endemism and very limited range but must be of […]
This is the iconic and endemic bottle tree, or desert rose of Socotra – Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum. When you find one in bloom like this one you simply cannot resist taking a closer look. It is an amazing sight to see the lushness and bright colors in a landscape of dryness – it’s like […]