Gunneria 80

Flora Norvegica

av J.E. Gunnerus

GUNNERIA 80, 2016

shows that he often misidentified species, and even included species in the

flora which are not growing in Norway. The numerous notes to the text aim at

clarifying many of Gunnerus’ mistakes and misunderstandings. In the last chapter

Flora Norvegica

is compared with some contemporary Norwegian botanical

publications, and evaluated from a recent floristical viewpoint.

Gunnerus recorded local plant names, including Saami ones. He even created

new Norwegian names for many species. A particularly important and surprising

aspect of the flora is the insight it gives into daily life in Norway at around the

1760s, due to his annotations and discussions of plant use in all parts of the

society, though mostly among farmers. The text also gives an insight into the flora

of the cultural landscape. Gunnerus was the first to report a number of species

growing in Norway; 24 of them by literary records which are considered reliable.

For another 102 species his herbarium specimens are the oldest records available.

Per Magnus Jørgensen, Universitety of Bergen, Department of Natural History,

Allégt. 41, P.O.Box 7800, NO-5020 Bergen.

Einar Weidemann, Østre Rosten 33A, NO-7075 Tiller.

Eli Fremstad, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University

Museum, Natural History Department, Erling Skakkes gt. 47A, NO-7491

Trondheim.