Carex heleonastes L.f. (Cyperaceae) (Finland, Karkkila, Haavisto, 1970). – Image: Harri Harmaja (scanned from dried specimen). – This scanty occurrence was found by be in 1970 in a rich fen. The area concerned comprises several types of eutrophic peatland and houses an extraordinary biodiversity due to the presence of limestone and spring water. Since late 1960's, the protection of the mire area has been planned but unfortunately a final decision still lacks though the area is unique in southern Finland. Important species of the mire also include Carex acutiformis, C. appropinquata, Cypripedium calceolus, Epipactis palustris, Luzula sudetica and the fungus Bovista paludosa (the only existing occurrence of this vulnerable gastromycete species in southern Finland; even before the massive draining of nutrient-rich fens this northern fungus must have been very infrequent southwards).
Created August 6, 2004.