If you have ever visited an alpine/subalpine zone, you have observed many so-called "moss" or "pincushion" plants. These are all low-growing, small-leaved plants forming a dense mat. As a result they all look rather similar vegetatively, but if in flower, they often give away the identity. This is an very dense, quite firm pincushion plant with a few remaining flowers pushing to the surface. Isn't that grand? Fortunately the couple of remaining flowers helped with the ID, Donatia novae-zealandiae, in the Donatiaceae, its own family! It is quite close to Sylidiaceae, another family you are probably unfamiliar with. In some places a species of sundew poked its leaves up through the crown of this very short shrub.
The Abel Prize 2025: Masaki Kashiwara
2 days ago in Doc Madhattan
1 comment:
Dearest Phactor,
any chance of a habitat shot? Not too many sub-alpine habitats here in southern Portugal.
Thank you for all your posts.
BrianO
PS also more ferns and fern-allies please!
Post a Comment