File:Contributions from the Botanical Laboratory, vol. 12 (1934) (20501692929).jpg

Title: Contributions from the Botanical Laboratory, vol. 12
Identifier: contributionsfro12univ (find matches)
Year: 1934 (1930s)
Authors: University of Pennsylvania. Botanical Laboratory; University of Pennsylvania. Morris Arboretum
Subjects: Botany; Botany
Publisher: Philadelphia : (s. n. )
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY Vol. XXIII, Plate XIII >'m 152 Vegetation of Some Southern Provinces of Soviet Russia very typical and widespread association with Rhododendron and the fern Athyrium, in which also occur: Aconitum orientale Cardamine seidlitziana Alchemilla hirsutiflora Geranium sp. Pedicularis atropurpurea Aster caucasicus Inula grandiflora Senecio platyphyllus Mulgedium abietinum Where snow has persisted low in the valley, one may see the interesting sight of neighbouring willows in various stages of development, the least advanced having leafless twigs and young catkins on August 22nd (PI. XIII, phot. 1). The melting snow had uncovered the plants but ten days or two weeks before. The adjoining willows were just leafing out, while those farther back were in full foliage. Growing at the edge of the snow and in full flower was Primula farinosa, which probably had not been uncovered more than a week. Thriving under an overhanging shelf of melting snow was the grass Colpodium caucasicum (PI. XIII, phot. 2). The dwarf 1 m. high willow is the forerunner of the upper small-tree forest of Salix, Sorbus aucuparia, Fagus orientalis and Acer trautvetteri, all low tree- shrubs at this altitude (1600 m.). A hundred metres lower, Abies nordmanniana makes its first appearance, though it climbs higher out of the valley on the neighbouring mountain slopes. Soon one is within a superb forest of giant firs which attain a trunk diameter of 2 m. and reach up to 50 m. Here again we have a striking contrast with the North Caucasus, where pine is the sole tree-forming conifer. In addition to fir on the south Caucasian slopes, there is also spruce which is lacking on the north side. The first native huts in the Nakra Valley are met at the lower edge of the Abies forest. The place is named Nakra or Naka. Here agriculture begins. Throughout Svanetia wheat is the chief agricultural product, with millet, potatoes, squash, beans, grapes, hemp (Cannabis saliva), oats, and barley completing the list of cultivated plants. The trail into the valley of the upper Ingur River, that is to say into Svanetia proper, leaves the Nakra shortly before the two rivers join, and then turns east over the Kva Ridge. The first glimpse of Svanetia, with the little village of Tavrari and its lone tower in the foreground, is one long to be remembered. The Valley of the Ingur is of unsurpassed beauty (PL XIII, phot. 3). The slopes are covered with fir and spruce. The intervening hills are forested mostly with deciduous trees of the genera Fagus, Quercus, Tilia, and, lower, Juglans. Among them are specimens of Ilex aquifolium, and Prunus laurocerasus. The tree-shrub Corylus avellana is also abundant, and at a higher altitude Betula and Sorbus occur. The small fern Asplenium septentrionale was collected en route. The presence of Juglans regia and Vitis vinifera indicate the mild climate of Svanetia. No exact meteorological data are available, but from the natives the information is gained that the winters in Svanetia are of moderate tem- perature, and free from severe winds and much snow. My own experience bears rl V v#^ ^m^ > ft" y* ' «W> 1^
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Phot. I. Dwarf Salix in the Nakra Valley, recently (lo days) uncovered from snow; leafless, with catkins on 22nd August. Phot. 2. The grass Colpodium caucasicum growing under a shelf of melting snow in the Nakra Valley. Phot. 3. Valley of the Ingur, slopes covered with fir and spruce. SEIFRIZ—Sketches of the Vegetation of some Southern Provinces of Soviet Russia. VII. Plant-life of Svanetia, Trans-Caucasus Face p, 152

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