360° - Plant diary

The ice of the Inn glacier over the Lej Nair and Lej dals Chöds was up to 800 meters thick during the last ice age. In other words, around 100,000 years ago. Due to the enormous pressure, the rock carried in the ice grinds and planes the bedrock of granitic rocks - under the ice, the round hump landscape at the foot of Piz Rosatsch is created.

Around 10,000 years ago, the glaciers begin to melt. The climate warms rapidly and the ice retreats to its present size. Clayey material cemented the hollows. Small lakes form between the rocky outcrops. Such as the Lej Nair and the Laj dals Chöds.

More and more plants are slowly colonizing the rocky landscape released by the ice. The small areas of water between the round humps begin to silt up. Sedges, rushes and peat mosses grow. A sparse larch and Swiss stone pine forest with a dense undergrowth of dwarf shrubs soon grows on dry sites. Fens and raised bogs develop.

The moors on the Lej Nair and Lej dals Chöds have been continuously developing for 10,000 years. Rare and specialized plants find a suitable habitat on the wet, sensitive moor soils. Humans are responsible for their continued existence and further development.

Vaccinum gaultherioides

The bog bilberries, which belong to the blueberry genus, feel particularly at home in raised bogs on moist, peaty soil. The blue berries of the dwarf shrub are edible, but it is not advisable to eat them. This is because the berry has a reputation for occasionally triggering intoxication-like symptoms. This is why the berry is also known as the "intoxicating berry". To date, however, no substance has been found in the berries that could explain possible intoxication. It is assumed that the parasitic tube fungus that lives sporadically on the berry could be responsible for this.

Vaccinum myrtillus

In May, the blueberry conjures up white bell-like flowers, in summer the blue berries are ripe. Straight from the bush, they are a delicious snack and very healthy. The anthocyanins (water-soluble plant pigments) they contain not only turn your teeth blue after snacking, but are also responsible for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Blueberries are also high on the menu of capercaillie and foxes.

Vaccinum vitis-idaea

The lingonberry belongs to the blueberry family, but the fruits are red and only ripen in the fall. The berries are edible, but are usually processed into jam due to their high fruit acid content. With their tart and sour taste, they add a special touch to local game dishes. They are also extremely healthy thanks to their many vitamins. Like cranberries, the American sister of the lingonberry, they are said to be helpful for kidney and bladder infections.

Juniperus communis var. saxatilis

The dwarf juniper likes rocky, dry locations. Sometimes the low shrub even grows out of rock crevices. The term is derived from the Old High German "wechalter", which means "freshening wood". While juniper was used to embalm the dead in ancient Egypt, today it is a popular spice in the kitchen. Dwarf juniper is often used to season sauerkraut, pâtés, marinades and game or sauerbraten. The berries also give the popular spirit gin its incomparable taste.

Rhododendron ferrugineum

The rust-leaved alpine rose, whose leaf undersides turn rust-brown over the years, is at home at high altitudes. Thanks to the insulating snow cover, they can even survive the harsh winter up to 2,800 m above sea level without frost damage. The plant is very poisonous to humans and animals. Cows grazing on the alpine pastures in summer are particularly at risk. So while alpine roses tend to be a thorn in the side of mountain farmers, they are a popular subject in front of the camera lens thanks to their colorful splendor.

The sedge genus is rich in forms with countless species, some of which are difficult to distinguish from one another. The beaked sedge is often found at the edges of watercourses and in bogs up to 2000 m above sea level. It prefers calcareous and nutrient-poor soils. If the conditions are right, it can grow up to one meter high. In the summer months of June and July, the beaked sedge flowers an inconspicuous yellow-brown. The evergreen plants are also popular with garden lovers as ornamental grasses in garden design.

Carex nigra

The brown sedge is a specialist for nutrient-poor, acidic and moist locations with plenty of light. The brown sedge, also known as meadow sedge, spreads like a carpet over time and forms loose turf cushions. The flowering period, i.e. the time when the plant bears dark purple male and black-green female spikelets, is from May to August, depending on the altitude. In cross-section, the stems of the brown sedge resemble an isosceles triangle. 

Carex limosa

The inconspicuous-looking visible grasses of the mud sedge are comparable to the tip of an iceberg. This is because around 70% of the living plant mass is located in the soil - invisible to the observer's eye. The mud sedge forms long above- and below-ground runners that creep in the mud. This makes it a particularly valuable plant worth protecting in growing bogs. As moorland areas are often afforested, the mud sedge is becoming less and less common throughout Central Europe and is considered endangered.

Menyanthes trifoliata

The feverfew is a marsh or water plant that flowers in early summer. The small five-petaled light pink to white flowers are covered with many long fringed hairs that deter small insects and make the flower particularly conspicuous to bees. The feverfew contributes significantly to the silting up of wetlands and thus provides a habitat for many other species. The dried leaves of the plant are said to have a healing effect. The leaves are said to bring relief from feverish illnesses and can also be used to treat loss of appetite and indigestion. 

Sphagnum

Peat mosses are excellently adapted to the extreme conditions in bogs. They can absorb sufficient nutrients even in the most nutrient-poor locations. In addition, peat bogs can grow practically indefinitely. While the plant thrives at the top, the base dies off due to the exclusion of air, from which peat forms. When it rains, the plant behaves like a swelling body that can absorb up to 30 times its dry mass of water in special storage cells. During dry periods, on the other hand, the plant reduces its metabolic processes to a minimum.

Eriophorum vaginatum

The cottongrass - also known as the "granny hair of the moor" - is a characteristic plant of moorland areas up to almost 2,000 m above sea level. The fibrous decaying leaves of the cotton grass contribute significantly to peat formation. The white perianth threads around the flowers and fruits give the plant its characteristic appearance and name. The cottongrass can be admired from July to September. The white fruit hairs can even be used to fill cushions.

Trichoforum caespitosum

The hedgehog-shaped form of the dense and rigid tufts is characteristic of the turf rush. It is a characteristic plant of nutrient-poor moors, which particularly likes muddy, partially flooded soils, wet meadows or slow-flowing waters. If the grass rush feels at home, it quickly spreads in a lawn-like form. It is also often planted in ornamental gardens and artificial biotopes.