Norvalias

Norvalias is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Endemic to the Norvalian Archipelago, it comprises several described species that occupy coastal cliffs, meadows, and montane habitats across the islands. The genus is named for Norvalia, the region where the first collections were made. The type species is Norvalias maritima.

Species include Norvalias maritima, Norvalias alpina, Norvalias aurea, and Norvalias denudata. They range from low-lying perennials to small shrubs and are distinguished by leaf form and flower color.

Norvalias plants are herbaceous, reaching roughly 10–60 cm in height. Leaves are simple to lobed. The inflorescences are capitula typical of the Asteraceae, with yellow to orange ray florets surrounding a central region of disk florets. Fruits are achenes with a pappus of bristles for wind dispersal.

Ecology: They favor rocky, nutrient-poor soils and are often found near coastlines or in alpine meadows. They are insect-pollinated, particularly by bees, and seed dispersal is aided by the pappus.

Conservation and uses: Several Norvalias species have restricted ranges and are threatened by habitat loss and invasive species. They are occasionally grown as ornamental perennials or native specialist plants in botanic gardens, valued for drought tolerance and bright summer flowers.