Racomitrium spec.

In northern Europe Racomitrium plants do not only cover huge areas - they also play an important role as pioneering plants. In its cushions, which often reach heights up to 10cm or 20cm, soil and dust is at least a little bit protected against erosion by water and wind. And this erosion makes life really difficult for the most flowering plants.

On the picture a vivparous knotweed (Polygonum viviparum) can be seen, which has gained a foothold in such a Racomitrium cushion. The picture was taken in the Kjölur in Iceland.