LAKE VÄIKE-KALAJÄRV
Lake Väike Kalajärv (also known as Lake Kreo Väikejärv) is a small, shallow, bowl-shaped, dystrophic lake. The European white water lily and the water soldiers (Stratiotes aloides) – our largest freely floating aqueous plant – grow in the lake. The long, sharp leaves of the water soldiers resemble aloe leaves. In the summer, they form a cluster which is half-way in the water with long roots which are not attached to the bottom of the lake hanging below. The plant will rise to the surface of the lake when it starts to bloom in July. In autumn, it drops back to the bottom.
The small tufted-sedge (Carex cespitosa) can be seen on the shore here and there. The name of the plant comes from its peculiar appearance. The leaves and stems which have dried in previous years remain attached to the plant for a long while, forming a high hag. In spring, we can see dark florets sticking out from under the leaves – one plant may have scores of them. The small tufted-sedge blooms from May to June. The small tufted-sedge gained fame as a ‘poku’ based on Edgar Valter’s children’s book The Poku Book.
Väike Kalajärv
Photo: Tiina Paltser
Water soldiers (Stratiotes aloides)
Source of the photo: Wikimedia
Small tufted-sedge (Carex cespitosa)
Source of the photo: Wikimedia
Distances:
The Noku campfire site 1.2 km
Lake Suur-Kalajärv 0.8 km