Weather- January 2010

[David Shaw]

To expand the question a little, why does it just seem to be Soldanella that push up through the snow? This picture was taken on the Kitsteinhorn in Austria in mid-June last year. It was the only plant pushing up through the snow yet there were scores of other flowers just beyond the snow line.

[ranunculus]

Hi David,
Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot) often exhibits the same ability.

[Maggi Young]

To expand the question a little, why does it just seem to be Soldanella that push up through the snow? This picture was taken on the Kitsteinhorn in Austria in mid-June last year. It was the only plant pushing up through the snow yet there were scores of other flowers just beyond the snow line.

There are a great number of plants referred to as "snow-melt" species.... those which burst into flower as the snow recedes . Quite a few are capable of emerging right through the actual snow, as shown in the preceding very charming soldanella photos.
The flowers which are seen just outwith the snow's edge were likely doing just what the soldanellas are doing, only a few days earlier. Others may appear to be doing the same thing a few days later, higher up the slope.
This characteristic of such fragile looking flowers appearing in such harsh conditions is surely one of the reasons that alpine plants are so captivating, don't you think?

[ranunculus]

I've got to admit Maggie that whilst I have seen many species that can be referred to as 'snow-melt' plants i.e. flowering at the time of or in the vicinity of melting snow, I have only ever seen soldanellas and the coltsfoot actually making their own hole through the snow.  I have any number of images of plants in flower surrounded by snow but only these two species in distinct indentations.  It's a very interesting subject.

[Maggi Young]

We've had others  pictured around the Forum over the years, Cliff.... most notably Crocus.

[Diane Clement]

Since plant metabolism is not 100% efficient waste energy is emitted, partly/mainly as heat.  Also dark objects absorb light then re-emit the energy as longer wavelength heat that tends to melt the surrounding snow.

I have heard it said that some of these snow-melt plants actually start photosynthesizing under the snow, which given that this process needs light, they can only do when they are just under the surface and the snow cover allows through a little light.  The process of photosynthesis gives off waste energy, which is partly the source of the heat which then melts the snow and helps the flower to emerge.

... I have only ever seen soldanellas and the coltsfoot actually making their own hole through the snow.  

here's a couple of others coming through the snow
(sorry, I should make it clear that these pictures were not taken this year - everything still under snow here, although dripping has started)

[Anthony Darby]

I suppose that's why soldanellas are called "snow bells".

[ranunculus]

Thanks for those images Diane ... I have many pictures of crocus and other plants/bulbs protruding through the snow like that, but I still cannot remember many other species actually creating their own exit holes?  I'm sure a number of North American species will display these characteristics - any contributions from our friends over there?

[Lesley Cox]

Here is another which has made its own hole to flower through. This was one of the deepest snowfalls ever, in my garden, back in 1996 I think.

[Lesley Cox]

I don't know why that should be so wide. It's only 121KB. It was a print which was scanned onto a floppy disk at the beginning of my computer days.


 Edit by maggi: I've resized it for you, Lesley. Pixel size  does not necessarily equate to kb size.... or vice versa... if you get my drift.  I don't know how to explain it properly 

[cohan]

Thanks for those images Diane ... I have many pictures of crocus and other plants/bulbs protruding through the snow like that, but I still cannot remember many other species actually creating their own exit holes?  I'm sure a number of North American species will display these characteristics - any contributions from our friends over there?

i can't help with what any of the alpine species do, only reiterate that where i am, i am sure it would have to be secondary snowfall; if there is a plant which can emerge from the rock hard frozen ground i'd be impressed indeed

[Sinchets]

I agree, Cohan. In the mountains here we see plants emerging from fresh soft snow- but the hardened drifts of old snow that have been there all winter have to melt completely before the Crocus flower. Similarly we have seen the Soldanella emerging from shallow snow in open mountain woodland, but not in higher gullies where they flower ony after the snow has disappeared.

[David Shaw]

The soldanella that I picture were growing on open slopes through crystalline snow. My feet made little impression on the snow and, on steeper parts, I had to kick in with my boots for security. We saw this in several locations, all similar, at an elevation of about 2,000m. We have seen soldanella growing in similar situations in the mountains on several previous occasions.

[cohan]

The soldanella that I picture were growing on open slopes through crystalline snow. My feet made little impression on the snow and, on steeper parts, I had to kick in with my boots for security. We saw this in several locations, all similar, at an elevation of about 2,000m. We have seen soldanella growing in similar situations in the mountains on several previous occasions.

very interesting, i wonder how on earth they do it? surely the ground cannot be frozen? do they make a bud at surface level in the fall?

[hadacekf]

Not forgotten, the Soldanella flowers only in June -  July. The plants have much time to grow. The earth did not freeze under the snow!