KURESSAARE, ESTONIA–We have gotten to know the western coastline of Saaremaa very well and would like to simply share some of the gorgeous flowers found there. All of these grow in alvars, which are environments on limestone bedrock with thin and nutrient poor soils. They often dry out completely in the summer, so they tend to host endemic species well adapted to these specific conditions and generally out-competed elsewhere.
Saaremaa is especially blessed with plant diversity. There are 1200 species of vascular plants on the island, about 80% of all the vascular plant species in Estonia. About 10% of these species are rare and protected
I don’t have any identifications for these flowers. They are here for their beauty and as a break from all the rocks!
The yellow flowers in top photo are narrow leaf stonecrop. Crassulaceae. Appropriate for geologists. Not sure of the others. Possibly a wild rose in there. And another yellow looks like wallflower.
Very helpful, Ruby. We may call upon your expertise again!