Norway - alpine wildflowers
   
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Norwegian mountains are home to hundreds of wildflower species. Below is a collection of some of the wildflowers you can encounter in alpine regions of Norway. These photos were taken over many years, and are shown in no particular order. Most of the plants were found in the Dovre and Jotunheimen mountains of Southern Norway. Some were found in Sulitjelma in Nordland, as well as in Troms and Finnmark. A few coastal plants found in Northern Norway are also included, as they may grow in the mountain further south.

Based on the climate, a small stretch of the Varangerhalvøya Peninsula in Finnmark belongs to the subarctic vegetation zone. Some of these plants thus belong to the subarctic region. Below are links to web pages with images of plants found during a few trips to Northern Norway.

 

Finnmark trip 2016

Troms and Finnmark trip 2018

Bodø region, Nordland, 2017 and later

 

Keep in mind that I am no expert on vascular plants, so the species and use of accepted names on this page might not always be correct. Please notify me if you see obvious errors!

 

Alaska wildflowers (2014 trip)

St. Paul Island wildflowers (2014 trip)

 

Glacier Buttercup / Issoleie (Ranunculus glacialis), Søndre Knutshø, Dovre, July 2015

Søndre Knutshø, Dovre, July, 2014

 

Dovre, from Søndre Knutshø

Alpine Draba / Gullrublom (Draba alpina), Søndre Knutshø, Dovre, July 2015

 

Alpine Draba / Gullrublom (Draba alpina), Søndre Knutshø, Dovre, July 2015

Pale Whitlow-Grass / Bleikrublom (Draba oxycarpa), Søndre Knutshø, Dovre, July 2015

 

Pale Whitlow-Grass / Bleikrublom (Draba oxycarpa), Søndre Knutshø, Dovre, July 2015

Snowbed Draba / Dvergrublom (Draba crassifolia), Sulitjelma, July 2019

 

Snowbed Draba / Dvergrublom (Draba crassifolia), Sulitjelma, July 2019

Probably Rock Whitlow-Grass / Bergrublom (Draba norvegica), Søndre Knutshø, Dovre, July 2015

 

Most likely Rock Whitlow-Grass / Bergrublom (Draba norvegica), Sulitjelma

Dovre Draba / Dovrerublom (Draba dovrensis), Søndre Knutshø, Dovre, July 2015

 

 

Dovre Draba / Dovrerublom (Draba dovrensis), Søndre Knutshø, Dovre, July 2015

Hoary Whitlow-Grass / Lodnerublom (Draba incana)

 

Dovre Draba / Dovrerublom (Draba dovrensis), Søndre Knutshø, Dovre, July 2015

Alpine Bitter-Cress / Høyfjellskarse (Cardamine bellidifolia)

 

Narrowfruit Braya / Rosekarse (Braya linearis), Bøverdalen, Lom

Snow Whitlow-Grass / Snørublom (Draba nivalis), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord

 

Snow Whitlow-Grass / Snørublom (Draba nivalis), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord

Smooth Whitlow-Grass / Skredrublom (Draba glabella ssp. glabella), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord

 

Possible Arctic Draba / Alperublom (Draba fladnizensis), Søndre Knutshø, Dovre

Alpine Rock-Cress / Fjellskrinneblom (Arabis alpina)

 

Hairy Rock-Cress / Bergskrinneblom (Arabis hirsuta)

Northern Rock-cress / Aurskrinneblom (Arabidopsis petraea), Litjdalen, Sunndal

 

Northern Rock-cress / Aurskrinneblom (Arabidopsis petraea), Litjdalen, Sunndal

Alpine Catchfly / Fjelltjæreblom (Silene suecica)

 

Alpine Catchfly / Fjelltjæreblom (Silene suecica). This variant of Alpine Catchfly grows on copper-rich soil near the Storwartz Mine, Røros

Alpine Mouse-Ear Chickweed / Fjellarve (Cerastium alpinum)

 

Arctic Mouse-Ear Chickweed / Snøarve (Cerastium nigrescens), Sulitjelma

Alpine Pearlwort / Tuearve (Sagina biflora)

 

Arctic Pearlwort / Seterarve (Sagina saginoides)

Bog Stitchwort - Teesdale Sandwort / Grannarve (Minuartia stricta), Guolasjávri, July 20, 2019

 

Bog Stitchwort - Teesdale Sandwort / Grannarve (Minuartia stricta), Guolasjávri, July 20, 2019

Tundra Sandwort / Kalkarve (Arenaria pseudofrigida), Båtsfjord, August 1, 2016

 

Tundra Sandwort / Kalkarve (Arenaria pseudofrigida), Båtsfjord, August 1, 2016

Norwegian Sandwort (also called Arctic Sandwort or English Sandwort) / Skredarve (Arenaria norvegica), Bodø, June 12, 2017

 

Norwegian Sandwort / Skredarve (Arenaria norvegica), Bodø, June 12, 2017

Knotted Pearlwort / Knoppsmåarve (Sagina nodosa)

 

Stone Bramble / Tågebær (Rubus saxatilis)

Fringed Pink / Silkenellik (Dianthus superbus), Porsangerfjorden, Lakselv, Finnmark

 

Spring Pasqueflower / Mogop (Pulsatilla vernalis)

Mountain Avens / Reinrose (Dryas octopetala)

 

Moss Campion / Fjellsmelle (Siléne acaúlis)

Iceland Poppy / Sibirvalmue (Papaver nudicaule), introduced plant, Berlevåg

 

Iceland Poppy / valmue (Papaver nudicaule), introduced plant, Bugøynes

Arctic Poppy / Fjellvalmue (Papaver radicatum), Drivdalen, Oppdal

 

Arctic Poppy / Fjellvalmue (Papaver radicatum)

Svalbard Poppy / Polarvalmue (Papaver dahlianum), Leirpollen, Tana

 

Svalbard Poppy / Polarvalmue (Papaver dahlianum), Leirpollen, Tana

Lapland Poppy / Kolavalmue (Papaver lapponicum subsp. lapponicum), Talvik, Alta

 

Lapland Poppy / Kolavalmue (Papaver lapponicum subsp. lapponicum), Talvik, Alta

Lappland Rosebay / Lapprose (Rhododendron lapponicum), Bøverdalen, Lom

 

Lappland Rosebay / Lapprose (Rhododendron lapponicum), Bøverdalen, Lom

Hairy Stonecrop / Lodnebergknapp (Sedum villosum), Bøverdalen, Lom

 

Hairy Stonecrop / Lodnebergknapp (Sedum villosum), Bøverdalen, Lom

Arctic Bellflower / Høyfjellsklokke (Campanula uniflora), Dovre

 

Northern Grass-of-Parnassus / Jåblom (Parnassia palustris)

Alpine Sagewort / Norsk malurt (Artemisia norvegica), Dovre

 

Alpine Sagewort / Norsk malurt (Artemisia norvegica), Dovre

Pincushion Plant / Fjellpryd (Diapensia lapponica)

 

Pincushion Plant / Fjellpryd (Diapensia lapponica ssp. lapponica)

Common Butterwort / Tettegras (Pinguicula vulgaris)

 

Basil Thyme / Bakkemynte (Clinopodium acinos)

Alpine Azalea / Greplyng (Kalmia procumbens)

 

Blue Heath or Purple Mountain Heather / Blålyng (Phyllodoce caerulea)

Moss Bell Heather / Moselyng (Harrimanella hypnoides)

 

Large White Buttercup / Kvitsoleie (Ranunculus platanifolius)

Pygmy Buttercup / Dvergsoleie (Ranunculus pygmaeus)

 

Creeping Sibbaldia / Trefingerurt (Sibbaldia procumbens)

Arctic Buttercup / Setersoleie - Sumpsoleie (Ranunculus hyperboreus), Vadsø

 

Arctic Buttercup / Setersoleie (Ranunculus hyperboreus), Vadsø

Snow Buttercup / Snøsoleie (Ranunculus nivalis), Dovre

 

Snow Buttercup / Snøsoleie (Ranunculus nivalis)

Sulphur Buttercup / Polarsoleie (Ranunculus sulphureus), Syltefjorddalen, Båtsfjord

 

Sulphur Buttercup / Polarsoleie (Ranunculus sulphureus), Syltefjorddalen, Båtsfjord

Glazier Buttercup / Issoleie (Ranunculus glacialis)

 

Globeflower / Ballblom (Trollius europaeus)

Nodding Saxifrage, also called Drooping Saxifrage / Knoppsildre (Saxifraga cernua), Jotunheimen

 

Nodding Saxifrage / Knoppsildre (Saxifraga cernua)

Tufted Saxifrage / Tuesildre (Saxifraga cespitosa)

 

Starry Saxifrage / Stjernesildre (Saxifraga stellaris)

Leafy Saxifrage / Grynsildre (Micranthes foliolosa), Sulitjelma, Nordland

 

Leafy Saxifrage / Grynsildre (Micranthes foliolosa), Sulitjelma, Nordland

Alpine Saxifrage - Ottertail Pass Saxifrage - Slender Saxifrage / Grannsildre (Micranthes tenuis), Sulitjelma, Nordland

 

Alpine Saxifrage - Ottertail Pass Saxifrage - Slender Saxifrage / Grannsildre (Micranthes tenuis), Sulitjelma, Nordland

 

Snow Saxifrage / Snøsildre (Micranthes nivalis), Dovre

 

Snow Saxifrage / Snøsildre (Micranthes nivalis)

Hawkweed-leaved Saxifrage (Stiff Stem Saxifrage) / Stivsildre (Micranthes hieracifolia), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord

 

Hawkweed-leaved Saxifrage / Stivsildre (Micranthes hieracifolia)

Wedgeleaf Saxifrage / Skåresildre (Saxifraga adscendens), Bøverdalen, Lom

 

Wedgeleaf Saxifrage / Skåresildre (Saxifraga adscendens), Bøverdalen, Lom

Purple Saxifrage / Rødsildre (Saxifraga oppositifolia), Dovre

 

Purple Saxifrage / Rødsildre (Saxifraga oppositifolia), Lom

Pyramidal Saxifrage / Bergfrue (Saxifraga cotyledon)

 

Pyramidal Saxifrage / Bergfrue (Saxifraga cotyledon)

Alpine Brook Saxifrage / Bekkesildre (Saxifraga rivularis), Sulitjelma

 

Alpine Brook Saxifrage / Bekkesildre (Saxifraga rivularis), Jotunheimen

Yellow Marsh Saxifrage / Myrsildre (Saxifraga hirculus), Pajala, Sweden

 

Yellow Marsh Saxifrage / Myrsildre (Saxifraga hirculus), Pajala, Sweden

Yellow Mountain Saxifrage / Gulsidre (Saxifraga aizoides)

 

Yellow Mountain Saxifrage / Gulsidre (Saxifraga aizoides)

Northern Catchfly / Blindurt (Silene wahlbergella), Bøverdalen, Lom

 

Northern Catchfly / Blindurt (Silene wahlbergella), Bøverdalen, Lom

Jotunheimen, Lom

 

Bøverdalen, Lom

Oeder's Lousewort / Gullmyrklegg (Argentina anserina), Lom

 

Oeder's Lousewort / Gullmyrklegg (Argentina anserina), Lom

Hairy Lousewort / Lodnemyrklegg (Pedicularis hirsuta), Fauske

 

Hairy Lousewort / Lodnemyrklegg (Pedicularis hirsuta), Fauske

Lappland Lousewort / Bleikmyrklegg (Pedicularis lapponica)

 

Marsh Lousewort / Vanlig myrklegg (Pedicularis palustris), Surnadal

Red-tipped Lousewort / Brannmyrklegg (Pedicularis flammea), Saltdal

 

Red-tipped Lousewort / Brannmyrklegg (Pedicularis flammea), Saltdal

Moor King Lousewort / Kongsspir (Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum)

 

Moor King Lousewort / Kongsspir (Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum), Sulitjelma

Dalsnibba, Geiranger

 

Raufjellet, Meldal/Rindal

Sølendet, Sør-Trøndelag, July 29, 2015

 

Black Vanilla Orchid / Svartkurle (Nigritella nigra), Sølendet, July 29, 2015

Flecked Marsh Orchid / Blodmarihand (Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. cruenta), Sølendet, July 29, 2015

 

Early Marsh-Orchid / Engmarihand (Dactylorhiza incarnata), Sølendet, July 29, 2015

Lapland Marsh-Orchid / Lappmarihand (Dactylorhiza lapponica), Sølendet, July 29, 2015

 

Lapland Marsh-Orchid / Lappmarihand (Dactylorhiza lapponica), Byåsen, Trondheim

Lesser Butterfly-Orchid / Nattfiol (Platanthera bifolia), Tågdalen, Surnadal

 

Greater Butterfly-Orchid / Grov nattfiol (Platanthera chlorantha), Rindal

Dark-red Helleborine / Rødflangre (Epipactis atrorubens), Bodø

 

White Mountain Orchid / Fjellkvitkurle (Pseudorchis albida ssp. straminea), Dovre

Frog Orchid / Grønnkurle (Coeloglossum viride), Båtsfjord

 

Northern Coralroot / Korallrot (Corallorhiza trifida), Sulitjelma

Falce Orchid / Fjellkurle (Chamorchis alpina), Balvatnet, Saltdal

 

Falce Orchid / Fjellkurle (Chamorchis alpina), Skjelstad, Bodø

Fly Orchid / Flueblomst (Ophrys insectifera), Bergsåsen, Snåsa

 

Lady's Slipper Orchid / Marisko (Cypripedium calceolus), Bøverdalen, Lom

Slender Gentian / Småsøte (Comastoma tenellum), Lom

 

Slender Gentian / Småsøte (Comastoma tenellum), Dovre

Golden Dwarfgentian / Bleiksøte (Gentianella aurea), Alta

 

Autumn Gentian / Bittersøte (Gentianella amarella), Lom

Field Gentian / Bakkesøte (Gentianella campestris ssp. campestris), Tydal

 

Field Gentian / Bakkesøte (Gentiana campestris ssp. islandica), Dovre

Purple Gentian / Søterot (Gentiana purpurea), Odda

 

Snow Gentian / Snøsøte (Gentiana nivalis), Dovre

Jacob's-Ladder / Fjellflokk (Polemonium caeruleum), Alta

 

Jacob's-Ladder / Fjellflokk (Polemonium caeruleum), Dovre

Northern Jacob's-Ladder / Polarflokk (Polemonium boreale), Bugøynes

 

Mountain Forget-Me-Not / Fjellforglemmegei (Myosotis decumbens)

Strict Primrose / Smalnøkleblom (Primula stricta), Dovre

 

Scandinavian Primrose / Fjellnøkleblom (Primula scapigera), Dovre

Western Finnmark mountain, Alta

 

Subarctic vegetation zone in Varangerhalvøya, Persfjorden, Vardø

Yellow Milkvetch or Finnmark Oxytropis / Russemjelt (Oxytropis campestris ssp. sordida / Astragalus sordidus), Vardø

 

Yellow Oxytropis / Russemjelt (Oxytropis campestris ssp. sordida / Astragalus sordidus), Vardø

Yellow Oxytropis / Russemjelt (Oxytropis campestris ssp. sordida), Sandfjorden, Båtsfjord, August 3, 2016

 

Yellow Oxytropis / Russemjelt (Oxytropis campestris ssp. sordida), Sandfjorden, Båtsfjord, August 3, 2016

Norwegian Milkvetch / Blåmjelt (Astragalus norvegicus), Dovre

 

Norwegian Milkvetch / Blåmjelt (Astragalus norvegicus), Dovre

Arctic Milkvetch / Gulmjelt (Astragalus frigidus), Dovre

 

Arctic Milkvetch / Gulmjelt (Astragalus frigidus), Dovre

Alpine Milkvetch / Sørlig setermjelt (Astragalus alpinus ssp. alpinus), Dovre

 

Alpine Milkvetch / Nordlig setermjelt (Astragalus alpinus ssp. arcticus), Sulitjelma

Northern Milkvetch / Reinmjelt (Oxytropis lapponica) and Lappland Lousewort

 

Common Kidneyvetch / Rundskolm (Anthyllis vulneraria)

Mezereon / Tysbast (Daphne mezereum)

 

Alpine Cinquefoil / Flekkmure (Potentilla crantzii)

Narrowleaf Arnica - Arctic Anrica / Fjellsolblom (Arnica angustifolia ssp. alpina), Sulitjelma, Fauske

 

Arctic Bell-Heather / Kantlyng (Cassiope tetragona), Balvatnet, Saltdal

Alpine Hawkweed / Fjellsveve (Hieracium alpinum)

 

Round-leaved Wintergreen / Norsk vintergrønn (Pyrola norvegica)

Round-leaved Wintergreen / Legevintergrønn (Pyrola rotundifolia)

 

One-flowered Wintergreen / Olavsstake (Moneses uniflora)

One-flower Fleabane / Snøbakkestjerne (Erigeron uniflorus)

 

Bitter Fleabane / Bakkestjerne (Erigeron acer)

One Flower Fleabane / Ullbakkestjerne (Erigeron eriocephalus), Sulitjelma, Fauske, July 12, 2018

 

Maybe One-flower Fleabane / Snøbakkestjerne (Erigeron uniflorus), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018

Alpine Fleabane / Fjellbakkestjerne (Erigeron borealis), Sulitjelma, August 2, 2017

 

Alpine Fleabane / Fjellbakkestjerne (Erigeron borealis), Bodø, July 3, 2019

Possible Arctic Alpine Fleabane / Svartbakkestjerne (Erigeron humilis), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018

 

Arctic Alpine Fleabane / Svartbakkestjerne (Erigeron humilis) and Snowbed Draba / Dvergrublom (Draba crassifolia), Sulitjelma, July 31, 2019

Snow Cinquefoil / Snømure (Potentilla nivea), Balvatnet, Saltdal, July 5, 2019

 

Snow Cinquefoil / Snømure (Potentilla nivea), Sulitjelma, Fauske, July 12, 2018

Rock Speedwell / Bergveronika (Veronica fruticans)

 

Alpine Speedwell / Fjellveronika (Veronica alpina)

Alpine Willowherb / Dvergmjølke (Epilobium anagallidifolium)

 

Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot / Fjellpestrot (Petasites frigidus)

Alpine Butterwort / Fjelltettegras (Pinguicula alpina), Dovre

 

Alpine Butterwort / Fjelltettegras (Pinguicula alpina)

Northern Moonwort / Fjellmarinøkkel (Botrychium boreale)

 

Common Moonwort / Marinøkkel (Botrychium lunaria)

Brown Bog-rush / Brunskjene (Schoenus ferrugineus)

 

Chestnut Rush / Kastanjesiv (Juncus castaneus)

Woolly Pussytoes / Sølvkattefot (Antennaria villifera), Guolasjávri, Troms

 

Close-sheathed Cotton-grass / Gulmyrull (Eriophorum brachyantherum), Skibotndalen, Troms

Red (Russet) Cotton-grass / Brannmyrull (Eriophorum russeolum), Sør-Varanger

 

Red (Russet) Cotton-grass / Brannmyrull (Eriophorum russeolum), Sør-Varanger

Common Cottongrass / Duskmyrull (Eriophorum angustifolium ssp. angustifolium)

 

Scheuchzer's Sottongrass / Snømyrull (Eriophorum scheuchzeri)