Flowers

Axel Heiberg Island supports a beautiful, even spectacular flora. Flowers are most abundant in early July, when masses of purple saxifrage make the tundra appear red. Later in the month yellow mountain avens, then arctic fireweed take over as the dominant species. Particularly impressive is, however, the arctic poppy which, despite of its considerable size, blossoms even in the strongest of winds. Then there is alpine sorrel which has leaves rich in vitamin C and is used by Inuit to prevent scurvy.

Flowers
Arctic poppy (Papaver radicatum)
Flowers
White arctic bell heather (Cassiope tetragona)
Flowers
Purple saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia)
Flowers
Purple saxifrage, detail (Saxifraga oppositifolia)
Flowers
Prickly saxifrage (Saxifraga tricuspidata Rothb.)
Flowers
Alpine arnica (Arnica alpina)
Flowers
Greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea)
Flowers
Greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) with bumble bee
Flowers
Moss campion (Silene acaulis)
Flowers
Moss campion, close-up (Silene acaulis)
Flowers
Capitate lousewort (Pedicularis capitata)
Flowers
Alpine sorrel (Oxyria digyna).
Flowers
Mountain avens (Dryas integrifolia)
Flowers
Arctic cinquefoil (Potentilla hyparctica)
Flowers
Arctic fireweed (Chamaenerion (Epilobium) latifolium)
Flowers
Arctic Fireweed late in the season (Chamaenerion (Epilobium) latifolium)
Flowers
Hairy lousewort (Pedicularis hirsuta)
Flowers
Hairy lousewort close-up (Pedicularis hirsuta)
Flowers
Draba oxycarpa Sommerf.
Flowers
Erigeron spp., family Asteraceae
Photos Jürg Alean