Mainland Norway is home to many northern boreal and alpine wildflowers, and even some species with mainly Arctic distribution. Some of these species have a circumpolar range. For example, when visiting Alaska in 2014, I reqognized many plant species also common in Norway. This page shows some of the plant species I have found in Bodø and nearby areas (mainly Salten region) in Northern Norway. In this region, you can come across mountainous species down to sea level, as the region is situated north of the Arctic Circle. The region also has widespread base-rich bedrock, and is home to several rare orchids.
Keep in mind that I am no expert on vascular plants, so the species and use of accepted names on this page might not always be correct.
Some plants found during trips in Norway: Høyrokampen (2012), Finnmark (2016), and Troms and Finnmark (2018).
Rocky Mountain wildflowers (2001 trip)
Alaska wildflowers (2014 trip)
St. Paul Island wildflowers (2014 trip)
Fly Orchid / Flueblom (Ophrys insectifera), Tverlandet, Bodø, June 23, 2017. Rare in Norway, but widespread in the Bodø region
Purple Saxifrage / Rødsildre (Saxifraga oppositifolia), Bodø, April 2017. One of the first plants to appear in the spring
Oxlip / Hagenøkleblom (Primula elatior), Bodø, April, 2017
Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem / Gullstjerne (Gagea lutea), Fauske, May 2017
Mezereon / Tysbast (Daphne mezereum), Fauske, May 2017
Yellow Anemone / Gulveis (Anemone ranunculoides), Fauske, May 2017
Yellow Anemone / Gulveis (Anemone ranunculoides), Fauske, May 2017
Wood Anemone / Hvitveis (Anemone nemorosa), Bodø, April 2017
Mountain Avens / Reinrose (Dryas octopetala), Bodø, May 25, 2017
Common Hepatica / Blåveis (Anemone hepatica), Bodø, April 2017
Common Hepatica / Blåveis (Anemone hepatica), Bodø, April 2017
Scandinavian Primrose / Fjellnøkleblom (Primula scandinavica), Bodø, May 25, 2017
Scandinavian Primrose / Fjellnøkleblom (Primula scandinavica), Bodø, May 25, 2017
Gravodden, Bodø, June 2, 2017
Gravodden, Bodø, April 29, 2017
Marsh-Marigold / Bekkeblom (Caltha palustris), Bodø, May 25, 2017
Round-leaved Wintergreen / Legevintergrønn (Pyrola rotundifolia), Skjelstad, Bodø June 18, 2017. Could be Pyrola norvegica / Norsk vintergrønn ?
Moss Campion / Fjellsmelle (Silene acaulis), Bodø, May 25, 2017
Alpine Bearberry / Rypebær (Arctostaphylos alpina), Bodø, May 25, 2017
Willow / Selje? (Salix sp.), Bodø, May 25, 2017
Bigelow's Sedge / Stivstarr? (Carex bigelowii), Bodø, May 25, 2017
One-flowered Wintergreen / Olavsstake (Moneses uniflora), Bodø, June 20, 2017
One-flowered Wintergreen / Olavsstake (Moneses uniflora), Bodø, June 20, 2017
Norwegian Sandwort (also called Arctic Sandwort or English sandwort) / Skredarve (Arenaria norvegica), Bodø, June 12, 2017
Norwegian Sandwort / Skredarve (Arenaria norvegica), Bodø, June 12, 2017
Herb-Paris / Firblad (Paris quadrifolia), Bodø June 25, 2017
Rock Speedwell / Bergveronika (Veronica fruticans), Beiarn, June 28, 2017
Sea Campion / Strandsmelle (Silene uniflora), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Sea Thrift / Strandnellik (Armeria maritima), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Fly Orchid / Flueblomst (Ophrys insectifera), Tverlandet, Bodø, June 12, 2017
Fly Orchid / Flueblomst (Ophrys insectifera), Bodø, June 12, 2017
Lady's Slipper Orchid / Marisko (Cypripedium calceolus), Bodø, June 25, 2017
Lady's Slipper Orchid / Marisko (Cypripedium calceolus), Bodø, June 25, 2017
Lesser Twayblade / Småtveblad (Neottia cordata), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 12, 2017
Lesser Twayblade / Småtveblad (Neottia cordata), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 12, 2017
Common Twayblade / Stortveblad (Neottia ovata), Bodø, June 25, 2017
Common Twayblade / Stortveblad (Neottia ovata), Bodø, June 25, 2017
Early Marsh-Orchid / Engmarihand (Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. incarnata), Bodø, June 22, 2017
Early Marsh-Orchid / Engmarihand (Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. incarnata), Bodø, June 22, 2017
Flecked Marsh Orchid / Blodmarihand (Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. cruenta), Bodø, July 10, 2019
Flecked Marsh Orchid / Blodmarihand (Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. cruenta), Bodø, July 10, 2019
Lapland Marsh-Orchid / Lappmarihand (Dactylorhiza lapponica), Bodø, July 7, 2017
Lapland Marsh-Orchid / Lappmarihand (Dactylorhiza lapponica), Bodø, July 7, 2017
Common Spotted Orchid / Skogmarihand (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Bodø, July 12, 2017
White Mountain Orchid / Fjellkvit (Pseudorchis straminea), Balvatnet, Saltdal, August 2, 2017
Marsh Fragrant Orchid / Brudespore (Gymnadenia conopsea), Bodø, July 7, 2017
Marsh Fragrant Orchid / Brudespore (Gymnadenia conopsea), Bodø, July 7, 2017
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Falce Orchid / Fjellkurle (Chamorchis alpina), Skjelstad, Bodø, July 7, 2017
Falce Orchid / Fjellkurle (Chamorchis alpina), Skjelstad, Bodø, July 7, 2017
Frog Orchid / Grønnkurle (Coeloglossum viride), Bodø, June 25, 2017
Frog Orchid / Grønnkurle (Coeloglossum viride), Bodø, June 25, 2017
Northern Coralroot / Korallrot (Corallorhiza trifida), Bodø, June 11, 2017
Northern Coralroot / Korallrot (Corallorhiza trifida), Bodø, June 11, 2017
Broad-leaved Helleborine / Breiflangre (Epipactis helleborine), Bodø, July 29, 2017
Broad-leaved Helleborine / Breiflangre (Epipactis helleborine), Bodø, July 29, 2017
Dark-red Helleborine / Rødflangre (Epipactis atrorubens), Bodø, July 12, 2017
Dark-red Helleborine / Rødflangre (Epipactis atrorubens), Bodø, July 12, 2017
Bird's-nest orchid / Fuglereir (Neottia nidus-avis), Beiarn, June 19, 2021
Bird's-nest orchid / Fuglereir, Beiarn, June 19, 2021
Tufted Vetch / Fuglevikke (Vicia cracca), Bodø, June 18, 2017
Common Kidneyvetch / Rundbelg (Anthyllis vulneraria), Bodø, June 22, 2017
Northern Bedstraw / Hvitmaure (Gallium boreale), Bodø, July 12, 2017
Meadow Vetchling / Gulflatbelg (Lathyrus pratensis), Bodø, July 12, 2017
Fleshy Starwort / Saftstjerneblom (Stellaria crassifolia), Bodø, June 20, 2017
Fleshy Starwort / Saftstjerneblom (Stellaria crassifolia), Bodø, June 20, 2017
Sea Milkwort / Strandkryp (Lysimachia maritima), Bodø, June 20, 2017
Oysterleaf / Østersurt (Mertensia maritima), Bodø, June 20, 2017
Wood Cranesbill / Skogstorkenebb (Geranium sylvaticum), Bodø, June 22, 2017
White-flowered Wood Cranesbill / Skogstorkenebb (Geranium sylvaticum), Beiarn, June 28, 2017
Pincushion Plant / Fjellpryd (Diapensia lapponica ssp. lapponica), Beiarnfjellet, June 28, 2017
Pincushion Plant / Fjellpryd (Diapensia lapponica ssp. lapponica), Beiarnfjellet, June 28, 2017
Lapland Rosebay / Lapprose (Rhododendron lapponicum), Balvatnet, July 5, 2019
Lapland Rosebay / Lapprose (Rhododendron lapponicum), Balvatnet, July 5, 2019
Northern Wolfsbane / Tyrihjelm (Aconitum lycoctonum), Junkerdalsura, Saltdal, June 29, 2017
Northern Wolfsbane / Tyrihjelm (Aconitum lycoctonum), Junkerdalsura, Saltdal, June 29, 2017
European Wallflower / Berggull (Erysimum hieracifolium / E. strictum), Junkerdalsura, Saltdal, June 29, 2017
Alpine Rock-Cress / Fjellskrinneblom (Arabis alpina), Junkerdalsura, Saltdal, June 29, 2017
Hoary Whitlow-Grass / Lodnerublom (Draba incana), Skjelstad, Bodø, June 17, 2018
Hoary Whitlow-Grass / Lodnerublom (Draba incana), Skjelstad, Bodø, June 17, 2018
Salt Sandspurry / Saltbendel (Spergularia marina), Røst, June 30, 2017
Common Scurvygrass / Skjørbuksurt (Cochlearia officinalis), Røst, June 30, 2017
Mouse-ear Chickweed / Vanlig arve (Cerastium fontanum), Røst, June 30, 2017
Common Silverweed / Gåsemure (Argentina anserina), Bodø, July 12, 2017
Tufted Saxifrage / Tuesildre (Saxifraga cespitosa), Sulitjelma, August 2, 2017
Tufted Saxifrage / Tuesildre (Saxifraga cespitosa), Sulitjelma, August 2, 2017
Pyramidal Saxifrage / Bergfrue (Saxifraga cotyledon), Bodø, July 31, 2017
Yellow Saxifrage / Gulsildre (Saxifraga aizoides), Bodø, July 31, 2017
Windmill Fringed Gentian / Fjæresøte (Gentianella detonsa), Bodø, July 31, 2017
Windmill Fringed Gentian / Fjæresøte (Gentianella detonsa), Bodø, August 3, 2017
Mountain Everlasting - Stoloniferous pussytoes / Kattefot (Antennaria dioica), Bodø, June 18, 2017
Mountain Everlasting / Kattefot (Antennaria dioica), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Scottish Asphodel / Bjønnbrodd (Tofieldia pusilla), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Purging - Fairy flax / Vill-lin (Linum catharticum), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Alpine Pearlwort / Setersmåarve (Sagina saginoides), Sulitjelma, July 8, 2017
Alpine Pearlwort / Setersmåarve (Sagina saginoides), Sulitjelma, July 8, 2017
Alpine Catchfly / Fjelltjæreblom (Silene suecica), Sulitjelma, July 8, 2017
Arctic Eyebright / Fjelløyentrøst (Euphrasia wettsteinii), Bodø, July 7, 2017
Rust fungus (Puccinia septentrionalis / / Fjellfrøstjerne (Thalictrum alpinum), Bodø, July 7, 2017
I think this is Salisburg Eyebright / Lappøyentrøst (Euphrasia salisburgensis), Balvatnet, Saltdal, 2.8.2017
Mountain Aven field, Tverlandet naturreservat, Bodø, June 12, 2017
Common Moonwort / Marinøkkel (Botrychium lunaria), Bodø, July 3, 2019
Glacier Buttercup / Issoleie (Ranunculus glacialis), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 2, 2017
Alpine Bitter-Cress / Høyfjellskarse (Cardamine bellidifolia), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Alpine Arctic Cudweed / Dverggråurt (Omalotheca supinum), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Moss Heather / Moselyng (Harrimanella hypnoides), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Could be Grass-like Sedge / Kornstarr (Carex panicea), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Hair-like Sedge / Hårstarr (Carex capillaris), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Curved Sedge / Buestarr (Carex maritima), Bodø, June 20, 2017
Sheathed Sedge / Slirestarr (Carex vaginata), Bodø, June 20, 2017
Possibly Mountain Rush / Finnmarkssiv (Juncus arcticus), Sulitjemla, July 8, 2017
Possibly Two-flowered Rush / Tvillingsiv (Juncus biglumis)
Baltic Rush / Sandsiv (Juncus balticus), Bodø, July 7, 2017
Three-flower Rush / Trillingsiv (Juncus triglumis)
Marsh Arrowgrass / Myrsauløk (Triglochin palustris), Bodø, June 20, 2017
Northern Wood Rush / Vardefrytle (Luzula confusa), Tverrfjellet, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Arctic Bell-Heather / Kantlyng (Cassiope tetragona), Balvatnet, Saltdal, July 6, 2018
Narrowleaf Arnica - Arctic Anrica / Fjellsolblom (Arnica angustifolia ssp. alpina), Sulitjelma, Fauske, July 6, 2018
Moor King Lousewort / Kongsspir (Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum), Bodø, June 20, 2017
Moor King Lousewort / Kongsspir (Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum)
Red-tipped Lousewort / Brannmyrklegg (Pedicularis flammea), Balvatnet, Saltdal, July 5, 2019
Red-tipped Lousewort / Brannmyrklegg (Pedicularis flammea), Balvatnet, Saltdal, August 2, 2017
Hairy Lousewort / Lodnemyrklegg (Pedicularis hirsuta), Tverrfjellet, Fauske, 2.8.2017
Hairy Lousewort / Lodnemyrklegg (Pedicularis hirsuta), Tverrfjellet, Fauske, 2.8.2017
Tverrfjellet, Fauske, August 18, 2017. Still lots of snow in the mountain late August
Tverrfjellet, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Alpine Brook Saxifrage / Bekkesildre (Saxifraga rivularis), Fauske, August 2, 2017
Alpine Brook Saxifrage / Bekkesildre (Saxifraga rivularis), Fauske, August 12, 2017
Snow Saxifrage / Snøsildre (Micranthes nivalis), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 2, 2017
Snow Saxifrage / Snøsildre (Micranthes nivalis), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Alpine Saxifrage - Ottertail Pass Saxifrage - Slender Saxifrage / Grannsildre (Micranthes tenuis), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Alpine Saxifrage - Ottertail Pass Saxifrage - Slender Saxifrage / Grannsildre (Micranthes tenuis), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 12, 2017
Mountain Aven field, Fjære naturreservat, Kjerringøy, Bodø, June 10, 2017
Skjelstad naturreservat, Bodø
Leafy Saxifrage / Grynsildre (Saxifraga foliolosa), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 12, 2017
Leafy Saxifrage / Grynsildre (Saxifraga foliolosa), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 12, 2017
Nodding Saxifrage / Knoppsildre (Saxifraga cernua), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 12, 2017
Beiarnfjellet, June 28, 2017
Junkerdalsura, June 29, 2017
Junkerdalsura, June 29, 2017
Mountain Chickweed / Brearve (Cerastium cerastoides), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 12, 2017
Knotted Pearlwort / Knoppsmåarve (Sagina nodosa), Bodø, September 7, 2017
Arctic Mouse-Ear / Snøarve (Cerastium nigrescens), Sulitjelma, Fauske, September 23, 2017 (I think)
Arctic Mouse-Ear / Snøarve (Cerastium nigrescens), Sulitjelma, Fauske, September 23, 2017 (I think)
Alpine Sandwort / Tuearve (Minuartia biflora), Sulitjelma, August 18, 2017
Area east of Coarvi Cabin (Tjorvihytta), Saltdal. Balvatnet in the background. August 2, 2017
Alpine Fleabane / Fjellbakkestjerne (Erigeron borealis), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Mountain Everlasting and Alpine Fleabane / Kattefot og Fjellbakkestjerne (Antennaria dioica and Erigeron borealis), Saltdal, August 2, 2017
Probably One Flower Fleabane / Ullbakkestjerne (Erigeron eriocephalus), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
One-flowered Fleabane / Snøbakkestjerne (Erigeron uniflorus), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 2, 2017
Pale Whitlow-Grass / Bleikrublom (Draba oxycarpa), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Pale Whitlow-Grass / Bleikrublom (Draba oxycarpa), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Snowbed Draba / Dvergrublom (Draba crassifolia), Sulitjelma, Fauske, July 30, 2019
Snowbed Draba / Dvergrublom (Draba crassifolia), Sulitjelma, Fauske, July 30, 2019
Mountain Melick / Hengeaks (Melica nutans), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Chocolate Chip Lichen / Safranlav (Solorina crocea), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Øyjord, Tverrlandet, Bodø
Mountain Meadow Buttercup / Fjellengsoleie (Ranunculus acris ssp. pumilus), Fauske, September 23, 2017
Blue Heath or Purple Mountain Heather / Blålyng (Phyllodoce caerulea), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Field Gentian at Storausodden, Bodø. Landegode in the background. September 3, 2017
Field Gentian / Bakkesøte (Gentianella campestris), Storausodden, Bodø, September 2, 2017
Field Gentian / Bakkesøte (Gentianella campestris), Storausodden, Bodø, September 2, 2017
Autumn Gentian / Bittersøte (Gentianella amarella), Storausodden, Bodø, September 2, 2017
Autumn Gentian / Bittersøte (Gentianella amarella), Storausodden, Bodø, September 2, 2017
Golden Dwarfgentian / Bleiksøte (Gentianella aurea), Storausodden, Bodø, September 2, 2017
Golden Dwarfgentian / Bleiksøte (Gentianella aurea), Storausodden, Bodø, September 2, 2017
Northern Milkvetch / Reinmjelt (Oxytropis lapponica), Bodø, June 23, 2017
Storausodden, Bodø. Open limestone field rich with gentians. Field-, Autumn-, and Golden dwarf-gentian all grow here. September 3, 2017
Pygmy Buttercup / Dvergsoleie (Ranunculus pygmaeus), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Snow Buttercup / Snøsoleie (Ranunculus nivalis), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 12, 2017
Cuckoo-flower - Bittercress / Polarkarse (Cardamine nymanii), Balvatnet, Saltdal, July 5, 2019
Hairy Rock-Cress / Bergskrinneblom (Arabis hirsuta), Bodø, June 28, 2019
Alpine Willowherb / Dvergmjølke (Epilobium anagallidifolium), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 18, 2017
Alpine Speedwell / Fjellveronika (Veronica alpina), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 2, 2017
Snow Cinquefoil / Snømure (Potentilla nivea), Balvatnet, Saltdal, July 5, 2019
Snow Cinquefoil / Snømure (Potentilla nivea), Balvatnet, Saltdal, July 5, 2019
Alpine Butterwort / Fjelltettegras (Pinguicula alpina), Saltdal, August 2, 2017
Alpine Butterwort / Fjelltettegras (Pinguicula alpina), Sulitjelma, Fauske, August 12, 2017
Net-leaved Willow / Rynkevier (Salix reticulata), Fauske, August 12, 2017
Alpine Bistort and One-flowered Fleabane / Harerug og Snøbakkestjerne (Bistorta vivipara and Erigeron uniflorus), Fauske, August 12, 2017
Wood Cow-wheat / Blåmarimjelle (Melampyrum nemorosum), Bodø, July 3, 2019
Wood Cow-wheat / Blåmarimjelle, Bodø, July 3, 2019. Growing wild, but must be introduced in Bodø
Fumewort / Lerkespore (Corydalis intermedia), Beiarn, April 28, 2019
Fumewort / Lerkespore (Corydalis intermedia), Beiarn, April 28, 2019
Jacob's Ladder / Fjellflokk (Polemonium caeruleum), Kjerringøy, June 30, 2019
Jacob's Ladder / Fjellflokk
Baneberry / Trollbær (Actaea spicata), Bodø June 18, 2021
Baneberry, Bodø June 18, 2021
Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot / Fjellpestrot (Petasites frigidus), from across the border in Sweden
Open limestone field, Øyjord, Tverrlandet, Bodø, September 7, 2017