Borovichev E.A. Botanical excursion on the Northern Soroya. Hammerfest, 2014.

Frog Orchid (Dactylorhiza viride) has a dense spike-like inflorescence o fsmall greenish flowers with the hint o fpurple or reddish color. Dark Red Helleborine or Royal HeUehorine (Epipactis atrorubens) is a strong tall plant with dark purple or reddish-brownflowers in loose inflorescences and strong vanilla aroma, especially in warm days. It occurs in warm and dry sandy soils, on seashore terrains and dunes. It is included in the Red Data Books o fMurmansk Province and o f Book o fMurmansk Province Finland Small-white Orchid (Pseudorchis albida) is reported as the northernmost and the highest ascending orchid species in Europe. Small-white Orchid is included in the Norwegian Red Data Book and in the Red Data Heath Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) has 3-4 leaves spotted on the upper side andflowers varyingfrom dark red to almost colorless, withpleasant strong aroma Orchid species are common in base-rich and calcareous mountain grasslands of Soraya. Orchids have tiny seeds and require the presence of specific fungi in the soil for their germination. For the first few years juveniles can develop underground, being completely dependent on the fungal partner for their growth. It takes several years to develop from this stage into a fully grown flowering plant. Species-rich meadows and grasslands make 48