Maritime Alps

[Lori S.]

Absolutely beautiful, David!  I enjoyed both the videos and the musical accompaniment very much.

[David Sellars]

I made use of all the rainy days over Christmas to work on a video of Saxifraga florulenta.  This is one you definitely can't grow as it has never been successfully flowered in cultivation and, because it is endangered, it is illegal to collect seed.  And for all you rock lovers out there, enjoy all the rocks !
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9spOQ2URnk" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9spOQ2URnk</a>

[Lockwood]

I too am enjoying the travel from my comfortable computer chair.  Thank you very much David for sharing - the scenery is incredible.

Julie

[James McGee]

David,

     Thank you for posting such a beautiful video.  Could you share the reason this wonderful Saxifrage is endangered?  I can't imagine the habitat destruction is a concern.

James

[David Sellars]

That's a very perceptive question James.  The habitat is pretty well indestructible (except with explosives), and it grows within national parks, either side of the divide between France and Italy.  It was Farrer who called it the Ancient King and his account (in his book "Among the Hills") of coming across the plant is an entertaining read.

McGregor in " Saxifrages" (2008) notes that the evolution of Saxifraga florulenta occurred prior to the Pleistocene glaciations and it is likely that it has a narrow genetic constitution due to repeated near-extinctions.  It has a very restricted range over a distance of about 50 km, growing only on north or north west facing granite cliffs in tight crevices.  Furthermore it is monocarpic and flowers only after about 12 years or possibly even 50. Bland in "Silver Saxifrages" (2000) noted its position is precarious and that there is some evidence to suggest it may be declining from natural causes.

However in places where we found the plant it seemed to be quite vigorous and relatively common.  I looked it up on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and it turns out that it is in the lowest category "Least Concern" and its population trend is increasing! It certainly doesn't have much competition where it chooses to grow, as shown on this photo of a blank granite wall about 100 m high with Saxifraga florulenta dotted about.

Thanks for your kind comments on the video and your question.  Now that I have looked it up in the IUCN list I feel much better about the long-term survival of such a unique and spectacular Saxifrage.

[Booker]

Congratulations David ... another excellent video.
Tim Ingram and I have both expressed an interest in the possibility of producing high-quality 'Society' videos that would have the potential to be used as entertaining and educational television programmes - with the intention of spreading the word about a veritable host of alpine rich habitats and our wonderful hobby.  Your superb productions show that this wouldn't be such a distant dream and would prove a worthwhile venture for the alpine societies (in conjunction or individually) to pursue.

[deesen]

I really don't have the words so BRILLIANT will have to do.

[David Sellars]

Cliff:
Most TV nature programs are heavy on the fauna and if you see any flora, it is only when the animal is passing by. 

So much of our appreciation of alpine plants is the setting and I think it is much easier to convey the magic of wild habitat with video compared with still images. Your venture sounds worthwhile and I would be willing to help out.

[Tony Willis]

What a wonderful video,we shall definitely make a trip there.

We were able to take one of David's walks to see Lewisa cotyledon in Oregon this year and nothing could have been more help to us.

[gerrit]

David,

I posted your video of Saxifraga florulenta on the Flemish-Dutch forum.
I think, alpine-lovers in Belgium and Holland must see this!

[Tim Ingram]

There have been mutterings for quite a few years from knowledgeable gardeners in the UK (and I am sure elsewhere too) about the dearth of any really searching programmes on TV, both on plants in Nature and on more skilled gardening. Like Cliff says, the Alpine Garden Societies have so much expertise between them, and even more important enthusiasm, that it would really be a good time to approach TV production companies and Natural History film-makers with possible projects on these plants. As David says the amazing landscapes in which these plants grow are the key, and the drama of climate and geology. Hopefully the more of us who think about this the greater the chance of getting something off the ground!