2009 Alpine Garden at Mt. Washington - LOOK DOWN, not up
The White Mountains of New Hampshire have a unique ecology. Unlike almost every other mountain range in the Appalachian system of mountains, these mountains have a true alpine environment. No trees or tall flowers can grow on the tops of these mountains. Even common plants and trees such as fir trees, are either non-existent or dwarf. All the plants that grow in this environment have been modified by evolution in order to survive in a place that justifiably claims to have “The World’s Worst Weather”.
The entire alpine zone of Mt. Washington covers only about 35 square miles. A unique plant community grows within this small area. The flora that is found on the mountain is similar to the flora in Newfoundland, the coast of Labrador and western Greenland. There is growth, and plenty of it. Any hiker notices immediately that the rocks have colors on them. These are the lichens. Flowers are growing. Firs hide where the wind is not as strong. There is “green stuff” and plenty of it.
All these plants are perennials. They have flowers in the spring, grow during the summer, store up food for the winter and come out again during spring. Annuals, with seeds, cannot survive in the alpine zone. Only the perennials can find the niches in the rocks where they can root, grow and survive the harsh winter.
Bigelow sedge covers many areas in the presidential range. There are “meadows” of this sedge. Highland rush and other grass-like rushes and sedges grow in clumps which can spread out over a large area. The mountain can look like a huge lawn which has not been cut and is filled with too many rocks.
Like most areas, the colorful flowers are found in the spring. But there is always something growing during the summer in the alpine zone. Look down. You will find it.
Comments can be added to each picture. They are appreciated and read.
Read MoreThe entire alpine zone of Mt. Washington covers only about 35 square miles. A unique plant community grows within this small area. The flora that is found on the mountain is similar to the flora in Newfoundland, the coast of Labrador and western Greenland. There is growth, and plenty of it. Any hiker notices immediately that the rocks have colors on them. These are the lichens. Flowers are growing. Firs hide where the wind is not as strong. There is “green stuff” and plenty of it.
All these plants are perennials. They have flowers in the spring, grow during the summer, store up food for the winter and come out again during spring. Annuals, with seeds, cannot survive in the alpine zone. Only the perennials can find the niches in the rocks where they can root, grow and survive the harsh winter.
Bigelow sedge covers many areas in the presidential range. There are “meadows” of this sedge. Highland rush and other grass-like rushes and sedges grow in clumps which can spread out over a large area. The mountain can look like a huge lawn which has not been cut and is filled with too many rocks.
Like most areas, the colorful flowers are found in the spring. But there is always something growing during the summer in the alpine zone. Look down. You will find it.
Comments can be added to each picture. They are appreciated and read.
BIGELOW SEDGE
Carex bigolowii
This sedge, the highland rush and some other grass-like growth form much of the “grass” that grows throughout the alpine zone. Bigelow sedge is the main growth in many of the meadows found on Mt. Washington and other mountains in the Presidential Range. Jacob Bigelow first identified the sedge as different from other sedges. For this he received the honor of having it named after him.
Features distinguishing members of the sedge family from grasses or rushes are that members of the sedge family have triangular stems (with occasional exceptions), and their leaves are spirally arranged in three ranks (grasses have alternate leaves forming two ranks).
