Flora

The mosaic of forests, swamps, waters, meadows, cultivated fields and other habitats formed in the hilly terrain of the Samogitian National Park enables a vast diversity of flora. 1031 plant species are found here: 219 mosses, 28 spore-bearing plants, 4 conifer species, and 780 flowering plants. Of the latter, 49 plant species are on the list of protected species. Four species growing in the national park – fen orchid (Liparis loeselii), marsh saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus), the little grapefern  (Botrychium simplex) and the varnished hook-moss (Hamatocaulis vernicosus) – are of European Community importance and are included in the Habitats Directive. Two communities of common rivergrass (Scolochloa festucacea) and swamp sawgrass (Cladium mariscus) are present in the park, both of which are listed in the Red Book of Plant Communities. The first is found in the swamps of Burgis and Burgalis lakes, the second – on the shores of Plateliai and Iešnalis lakes, in Briedinė, Paburgė, and Pailgis wetlands.

Wetland habitats of the Samogitia National Park are rich in rare plant species. They include the fen orchid (Liparis loeselii), bog orchid (Hammarbya paludosa), common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris), early coralroot (Corallorhiza trifida) the early marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata), heath spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata), and Lapland march-orchid (Dactylorhiza lapponica), the slender cottongrass (Eriophorum gracile) and many others. The Velėnija fen is unique in its abundant growth of bird’s-eye primroses, which in May cover this wetland with a pink carpet of flowers. In June, only the Siberija bog is covered with hundreds of yellow flowering early marsh orchids (Dactylorhiza ochroleuca). The relic of the glacial period, the tufted bulrush (Trichophorum cespitosum), can only be found in the small Fernčiai raised bog. Marsh saxifrage found in the park only grows in the Paburgė wetland.

Broad-leaved deciduous forests harbor several protected species – Corydalis cava and intermedia and coralroot bittercress (Dentaria bulbifera). In the meadows grow early-purple orchids (Orchis mascula), greater butterfly-orchids (Platanthera chlorantha), Siberian iris (Iris sibirica). Occasionally, in the cereal, especially rye, fields common corncockles (Agrostemma githago) can be found. On the shores of Plateliai Lake grows a delicate and tiny creepping spearwort (Ranunculus reptans). On the Pilies (Castle) island of this lake grows a thicket of ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris).