Family: Brassicaceae
Author: Wulfen
Bibliography: N.J.von Jacquin, Misc. Austriac. 1: 147 (1779)
Year: 1779
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Draba
Vegetable: False
Observations: Subarctic & Subalpine Northern Hemisphere
Description
The Austrian draba, scientifically known as Draba fladnizensis, is a fascinating plant species belonging to the family Brassicaceae. Renowned for its tenacity, this plant thrives in the subarctic and subalpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere, often found in harsh, cold environments where few other species can endure.
The taxonomic history of Draba fladnizensis dates back to its formal description by the eminent botanist Wulfen. It was introduced to the scientific community through the meticulous documentation by N.J. von Jacquin in “Miscellanea Austriaca,” published in 1779. This early work highlighted not only the botanical intricacies of the plant but also its remarkable adaptation strategies to survive in extreme climatic conditions.
Austrian draba is adapted to thrive in rocky, well-drained soils commonly found in high altitudes and northern latitudes. Its ecological niche often includes alpine meadows, rocky outcrops, and scree slopes, where it can be seen hugging the ground, forming dense mats or small cushions. This growth habit is not merely aesthetic but functional, protecting the plant from cold winds and helping to retain precious soil moisture.
Morphologically, the plant is characterized by its small, yellow flowers that bloom during the short growing season. The flowers of Draba fladnizensis are not just a spectacle of resilience but also a testimony to the plant’s evolutionary ingenuity. They attract pollinators in regions where the diversity and number of such species can be limited, thus ensuring successful reproduction in a limited timeframe.
The leaves of the Austrian draba are typically covered in tiny hairs, a feature that serves multiple purposes: it reduces water loss by trapping moisture, reflects excessive sunlight to prevent overheating, and provides a layer of insulation against frost. These adaptations are crucial for its survival in the subarctic and subalpine climate zones, where temperature fluctuations can be extreme.
In summary, Draba fladnizensis, or Austrian draba, stands as a remarkable example of botanical resilience, flourishing in some of the most challenging environments on Earth. Its study not only enriches our understanding of plant adaptation and survival but also adds to the conservation efforts aimed at protecting these unique ecosystems.
Common Names
Eng: austrian draba, austrian whitlowgrass, white arctic whitlowgrass
Deu: fladnitzer felsenblümchen
Swe: alpdraba
Fra: drave de fladniz
Sme: duottargazzabađvi
En: Austrian draba, Austrian whitlowgrass, White arctic whitlowgrass, Bald White Whitlowgrass
Fr: Drave de Fladniz
De: Fladnitzer Felsenblümchen, Fladnitzer Hungerblümchen
It: Draba di Fladniz
Se: Duottargazzabađvi
Sv: Alpdraba
Synonyms
- Draba leyboldii (Dalla Torre & Sarnth.)
- Draba lactea f. androsacea (E.Ekman)
- Crucifera wahlenbergii ((Hartm.) E.H.L.Krause)
- Draba pattersonii (O.E.Schulz)
- Draba pattersonii var. dasycarpa (O.E.Schulz)
- Draba pattersonii var. hirticaulis (O.E.Schulz)
- Drabella variabilis (Bubani)
- Draba wahlenbergii var. homotricha (Lindblom)
- Draba fladnizensis f. nidificans ((Norman) E.Ekman)
- Draba wahlenbergii f. androsacea (E.Ekman)
- Draba sclerophylla (Gaudin)
- Draba fladnizensis var. ramosa (Gaudin)
- Draba fladnizensis var. glaberrima (Gaudin)
- Draba helvetica (Schleich. ex Gaudin)
- Draba fladnizensis var. minor (Gaudin)
- Draba fladnizensis f. suspecta (E.Ekman)
- Draba fladnizensis var. laxior ((Gaudin) O.E.Schulz)
- Draba fladnizensis var. pattersonii ((O.E.Schulz) Rollins)
- Draba sclerophylla var. laxior (Gaudin)
- Draba lactea var. nidificans (Norman)
- Draba samojedorum (Rupr.)
- Draba lactea var. glabra (Neilr.)
- Draba wahlenbergii var. glacialis (Hartm.)
- Draba lactea var. ciliata (Neilr.)
- Draba aradanii (N.Busch)
- Draba fladnizensis var. homotricha ((Lindblom) Ball)
- Draba fladnizensis f. homotricha ((Lindblom) E.Ekman)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Aleutian Is. (native)
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nunavut (native)
- Québec (native)
- Romania (native)
- Spain (native)
- Svalbard (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Utah (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Other
Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3049571)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30012845-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Draba fladnizensis Wulfen)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
Growth
Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’]