Image of Alpen-Blasenfarn

Description:

Slo.: alpska prianica - syn.: Cystopteris fragilis ssp. alpina, Cystopteris fragilis ssp. regia (L.) Desv., Cystopteris regia, Cystopteris crispa. - Habitat: Crevices of a medium sized limestone boulder, among rocks on open mountain pasture; skeletal, calcareous ground; southwest aspect, open place, full sun, exposed to direct rain and wind; average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature about 0 deg C, elevation 2.040 m (6.700 feet), alpine phytogeographical region. Substratum: soil in crevices and among rocks or scree. Comment: Cystopteris alpina is quite a common plant in Slovenian Alps. It's not difficult to spot it among rocks, in rock crevices and sometimes on scree slops. It can be also found in the whole Alps and other European mountains, albeit only in subalpine and alpine elevations above tree line. In spite of this its taxonomy is not yet agreed upon. Cystopteris alpina belongs to Cystopteris fragilis aggregate, a group of similar plants, which are not yet sufficiently researched in Slovenia (Ref.:3). Microscopy study of spore surface is sometimes needed for absolute certainty of determinations. Hence my determination should not be taken as pure gold. Ref.: (1) D. Aeschimann, K. Lauber, D.M. Moser, J.P. Theurillat, Flora Alpina, Vol. 1., Haupt (2004), p 86. (2) M.A. Fischer, W. Adler, K. Oswald, Exkursionsflora fr sterreich, Liechtenstein und Sdtirol, LO Landesmuseen, Linz, Austria (2005), p 239. (3) A. Martini et all., Mala Flora Slovenije (Flora of Slovenia - Key) (in Slovenian), Tehnina Zaloba Slovenije (2007), p 99. (4) K.Lauber and G.Wagner, Flora Helvetica, 5. Auflage, Haupt (2012), p 70. (5) H. Haeupler, T. Muer, Bildatlas der Farn- und Bluetenpflazen Deutschlands, Ulmer (2000), p,47.