Lutukka – Volume 16, Issue 1/2000

Lehto, M. & Sillanpää, P. 2000: Suomentähtimö Keski-Suomessa - Lutukka 16(1):3-7.

Stellaria fennica - ecology, distribution and vulnerability in central Finland

Stellaria fennica Murb. (Perf.), an eastern boreal herb has its most western peripheral populations in Finland. In the north S. fennica is more common and grows mostly on flooded river banks. In southern Finland it occurs typically on lake shores. The explanation to its current, seemingly random distribution may be hydrochory after the ice age. That time many lakes were connected with each other and formed a single large water body within which seeds were able to disperse. After those days water runoff has diminished and made dispersal inefficient. In addition, stronger species have taken over suitable habitats from this poor competitor. As a result S. fennica has become almost threatened in southern Finland. It can be found in localities where natural disturbances (spring floods, waves) create open spaces. Small-scale human activities on lake shores have also enabled its survival.

Kosonen, L. 2000: Pari harvinaista kasvimuotoa: kerrannaiskukkainen mesiangervo ja erikoinen piharatamo. - Lutukka 16(1):11-12.

Two rare plant forms

Two rare plant forms are reported from the biogeographical province of South Häme. Filipendula ulmaria with double flowers was found in Nokia and Plantago major f. bracteata in Teisko.

Väre, H. & Kaipiainen, H. 2000: Tunturisarake (Kobresia myosuroides) Suomessa. - Lutukka 16(1):13-16.

Kobresia myosuroides in Finland

The only Finnish locality of Kobresia myosuroides was visited in summer 1999. Previous records date back to 1955 and 1956. The growing site is presented and past misunderstandings are corrected in the article. When the population size was counted in 1956 (Laine 1958), Carex rupestris and Kobresia myosuroides were counted erroneously together. Therefore no previous data exist to allow considerations on the development of the population size at Urttasvarri. The nearby population at Liigevarri, found in 1956 also, was reported as disappeared in 1986 (Lammes 1991). Due to mixing of these two species, the meso-eutrophic vascular plant associates presented by Roivainen (1958) based on the work by Laine (1958), are incorrect, representing mainly C. rupestris associates. The K. myosuroides growing site is fairly oligotrophic, dry and stony mountain heath. The population consists of two nearby patches (0.5 and 1.0 m2), with only 18 tufts altogether.

Kääntönen, M. 2000: Peltorusojuuren (Lithospermum arvense) vakiintumisesta Pirkanmaalla. - Lutukka 16(1):17-18.

Lithospermum arvense in Vesilahti and Ylöjärvi, South Häme

Established occurrences of Lithospermum arvense in dry rock meadows were monitored at two localities, in Vesilahti (1987-1999) and Ylöjärvi (1988-1993), in the biogeographical province of South Häme in the southern Finnish inland. The Vesilahti population is still extant in an old-fashioned cultural landscape, but the population in Ylöjärvi has been extinct as a result of overgrowth. The latest record of Lithospermum arvense as a casual in the area was made in 1979.

Godenhjelm, M., Hamari, R. & Hering, F. 2000: Kiintoisia kasvihavaintoja Kotkan Hallan saaresta. - Lutukka 16(1):19-25.

Interesting species records on the island of Halla in Kotka

The small island of Halla near the city of Kotka is a formerly intensively used industrial and harbour area well known for its diverse rural vegetation including a large number of rare neophyte species. A remarkable human impact on the vegetation started already in the 18th century, when the area was under Russian rule and served as a large military camp. In the 19th century sawmills were founded and timber industry started arising rapidly, resulting in a remarkable increase of international trade and shipping. The area has offered excellent growth sites for polemochores, i.e. plants introduced by military operations, plants introduced by sailing ship ballast, as well as numerous other neophytes. The flora comprises threatened species such as Ononis arvensis, Melilotus altissimus and Carex hirta, as well as rare ballast species such as Astragalus glycophyllos and Linaria repens.

Ulvinen, T., Piirainen, M. & Väre, H. 2000: Kasvistotietoja Enontekiöltä. - Lutukka 16(1):28-21.

Floristic notes from Enontekiö Lapland (EnL), northwestern Finland

The paper summarizes new records for the flora of Enontekiö Lapland (EnL), northwestern Finland. Some old records which were not marked in the 3. edition of Retkeilykasvio (Field Flora of Finland) are mentioned, too. The indigenous plants include the following 6 species: Nuphar lutea, Epilobium laestadii, Utricularia ochroleuca, Sparganium natans, Carex acuta and Agrostis gigantea (also an immigrated race). The record of Equisetum hyemale × variegatum has been found erroneous.

In the group of the immigrants Urtica urens is regarded as an established alien. It is still growing at Markkina village where it has been seen since the mid-1800s. Also Thlaspi caerulescens ssp. caerulescens, Alchemilla monticola and probably Festuca trachyphylla seem to be established. Other 14 aliens include e.g. Herniaria glabra, Alchemilla glaucescens (an old problematic record), Lotus corniculatus, Bromus secalinus and Phalaris canariensis. As garden escapes Aconogonon alpinum × weyrichii, Campanula glomerata var. dahurica, Rosa majalis and maybe Mentha arvensis have been collected.