Flora
More than 1800 plant species are identified in the Ecrins National Park. This diversity responds to the layering of the vegetation of 800 to 4102 m.
The Nagorno-Oisans combines the valleys of the Romanche, Vénéon and Ferrand, and is defined by an atmosphere of strong mineral and rocky mountain glacier.
This area presents a great geological diversity (limestone rocks crystallophyllian acid, glacial moraine veneer ...), which is naturally connected to a large variety of natural habitats: mosaic of pastures, meadows, "fen" slope (supplied by groundwater), sedge (plant community dominated by sedges), meso-hygrophilous grasslands, etc. ...
Above 2000 m altitude alpine grasslands appear progressively shave, rockeries and scree formations, moraine and rocky outcrops. With its "gardening", the subalpine zone is a paradise for hikers. It is characterized by a less dense forest or discontinuous (birch, tamarack), which often leaves room for pasture or heath. It has often been the subject of deforestation to increase the area of pastures.
Plant diversity is very important here. Among the remarkable species we can mention the Mont Cenis campanula and saxifrage flowers two, staying in the limestone boulders. The snow patches are characterized by a rare species, Arabidopsis bluish. Wetlands are home to the site for their false sneezeweed the thistle, butterwort to spur hail, swertie perennial, pubescent willow and willow false daphne. The rocks and boulders in altitude are not left out because they contain the hernia of the Alps, the forget-me-dwarf cinquefoil of frost and genépi yellow.
The wormwood is, (with the edelweiss), one of the most popular plants and representative of the Alps. There are four species, which are primarily used in the manufacture of liquor, but also more and more products (beer, teas, sausages ...). The collection is regulated, since it is authorized to levy a handful per person (except for the white wormwood which is fully protected).
Because of its delicate roots and slow regeneration, the wormwood is a fragile plant. Its harvest must be done with a sharp object while avoiding uprooting and destruction of the plant, and this in order to perpetuate this ancient tradition that is gathering.
Near the Ferrand valley (towards Briançon), you can visit the Alpine Botanical Garden Lautaret . C reated in 1899, he witnessed a passion centenary of the University of Grenoble for the alpine flora. The rich collections and development into the landscape in rock gardens make this garden an altitude of one of the finest in Europe.
This text is based on the document "Natural Areas of Ecological Interest Fauna and Flora - High Ferrand Valley" of the Regional Directorate of Environment.