Oro-Scandian tall-herb birch woods

Description (English)

Tall (up to 12 m) woods of the subalpine belt of Fennoscandian mountains dominated by Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii, with Salix spp., Sorbus aucuparia, Prunus padus and an undergrowth dominated by tall herbs, comprising, together with abundant Geranium sylvaticum, Trollius europaeus, Rubus saxatilis, Aconitum septentrionale (Aconitum lycoctonum), Cirsium helenioides, Cicerbita alpina, Epilobium angustifolium, Ranunculus platanifolius. The well-developed taller shrub understorey is dominated by Juniperus communis, accompanied by Salix spp.; dwarf shrubs are often absent and the moss and lichen layer is very poorly developed; ferns are common. The species cortège includes Alchemilla spp., Astragalus alpinus, Myosotis decumbens, Paris quadrifolia, Silene dioica, Solidago virgaurea, Stellaria nemorum, Valeriana sambucifolia, Vicia biflora, Milium effusum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Calamagrostis purpurea, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Carex vaginata. These woods occupy well-drained, mull-rich soils.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification