Mountain Environment

This is a recent addition to the Highland Guides website that will hopefully provide an alternative form of information and inspiration for folk heading into the British mountains. It is remarkable how much more the whole environment is appreciated once the details are observed more carefully. As climbers and mountaineers how often do we charge past on the way to 'ticking' a classic rock climb or reaching a summit?

This is an attempt to document some of the flora, fauna and geology you may see when out in the British hills. If you have any good flower or animal photos please send them to me (rob@highlandguides.com) with species, date and location details.

Mountain Plants

Bell Heather, Erica cinerea

This islolated sprig of heather was found in a crevice on a perfect mountain Rhyolite boulder low down in Cwm Glas Bach, Llanberis Pass, Snowdonia, North Wales.

This was an unusual habitat for a species generally associated with wet heaths, moors and bogs.

Tormentil, Potentilla erecta

This perfect yellow Tormentil was clinging on at the very end of its flowering season (May - September) low down in Cwm Glas Bach, Snowdonia.

Bog Ashpodel, Narthecium ossifragum

Another British upland and wetland plant usually only flowering in July and August although this one, (found on Moel Cynghorion, Snowdonia) was clinging on into late september.

Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia

Insectiverous plants found on wet heaths, moors and in sphagnum bogs throughout upland Britain. This one was low in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia.

Butterwort, Pinguicula vulgaris

Another carniverous plant common to many boggy upland areas of Britain. The edges of the starfish like leaves curve inwards to trap and digest insects. This flowerless one was found in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia. The distinctive purple flowers on a tall stem last from June - August

Devilsbit Scabious, Succisa pratensis

This quite large, striking purple flower was found low in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia late in the summer. It's one of the few mountain plants to flower right through into October.

Oak Tree, Quercus

The flowers are catkins, produced in spring. The fruit is a nut called an acorn, borne in a cup-like structure known as a cupule; each acorn contains one seed (rarely two or three) and takes 6-18 months to mature, depending on species.

This Oak tree was found in the Vale of Clywd, N. Wales.

Map Lichen, Rhizocarpon geographicum

One of the most common British upland lichens, seen here on a Rhyolite boulder in the Llanberis Pass, Snowdonia.

Lichens are so familiar to mountain visiters that often we don't even notice them. Find out more about these fascinating symbiotic plants on the Natural History Musuem website.

Reindeer Moss, Cladonia portentosa

A common British upland lichen (despite beomg called a moss!). Usually found in dry heaths like this one on Moel Cynghorion, Snowdonia.

Star Moss, Polytrichum commune

A very common upland moss growing up to 30cms in height.