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

Plants on the rocks Bare rocks appear frequently everywhere in Fennoscandia, especially in coastal areas. Vegetation on rock is primarily determined by the chemical composition o f the rock, state of weathering, exposure, moisture and micro-structure o f the surface. The competition in these habitats is slight or nonexistent al all, and bare rocks are inhabited by some species, which are rare in surrounding plant communities. Bedrocks on Soroya are represented by steep rugged sun and sea exposed or shady cliffs, screes, horizontal bedrocks, rock fissures and shelves, and large or small Common Stonecrop, or Biting Stonecrop (Sedum acre) has succulent water-stored leaves. It grows on dry sea-exposed rocks, shingle beaches and in sandy meadows Goldenroot, or Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea) grows on sea exposed cliffs, on banks o fsprings and lakes. It has been used traditionally in Norway, Sweden and Russia as a tonic herb, as the remedy to enhance mentalfunction, fight afatigue and depression. In springfarmers used sprouts ofGoldenroot to give energy to domestic animals after hard winter. It explains local traditional name ofthis plant - 'calvedance '. Collection ofRoserootfrom the wild can destroy the populations, but luckily it can be successfully cultivated 68