Vegetation

There are several different biotypes and a rich range of plant species in the Rapola area. Vegetation has been influenced by long-term human activity, a favourable climate and soil conditions.  At present the hillfort has mainly wild vegetation, while the cemetery area towards Lake Vanajavesi clearly displays diverse human influence on the range of species. The significant impact of man on local species is shown by the large number of archaeophytes, plant species that spread into Finland along with man in prehistoric and early historical times. In the Nordic countries the chronological boundary for archaeophytes is the 17th century. Of all the studied plant species of the Rapola area approximately half are original, one fifth are archaeophytes and the remainder were introduced later. So-called cultural and heritage plants are concentrated prominently in the area of prehistoric remains, which also provided the best conditions for cultivation and settlement. The numerous medicinal and nutritional plants known from Rapola also point to long-term human settlement and activity in the area. Several rare and endangered plant species grow in the environs of Rapolanharju Ridge:
Henbane. Photo: Terttu Lempiäinen.	Yellow Anemone. Photo: Terttu Lempiäinen.	Peach-leaved Bellflower. Photo: Heidi Toivanen.
The cemetery areas of Rapola facing Lake Vanajavesi are nationally listed heritage biotypes, i.e. formed by traditional livelihoods and land-use methods. Most plant species in heritage biotypes are currently endangered. Several rare and endangered species are known from the Iron Age cemetery area at Rapola. These include Prickly Sedge (Carex spicata), Rough Sedge (Carex muricata) and Basil Thyme (Satureja acinos). Tower Cress (Arabis glabra) for example grows in the Rupakallio cemetery area. This species is regarded as an indicator of Iron Age settlement. Asarabacca (Asarum europaeum), a rare species in Finland, is found in the area of the Hirvikallio cemetery. There are two nature preserves in the Rapola area. One covers part of the ridge, including the sinkholes, while the other comprises a copse of alder by the shore of Lake Vanajavesi.
Maiden Pink. Photo: Terttu Lempiäinen.	Daisy. Photo: Heidi Toivanen.	Imperforate St. John's Wort. Photo: Terttu Lempiäinen.