South-east of Årjäng, in the great pine-forest area east of the lake Västra Silen, lies the farm Tegen like an interspersed oasis. The approximately 4 hectare big area was populated until 1985 but the farming ceased earlier. The farm has been bought by the Swedish National Environmental Protection agency and is now a nature reserve.
Older cultural landscape like Tegen become more and more rare elements in todays rational farming and forestry. During many hundred years the Swedish countryside was characterized by these open culture landscapes. The remainings are now important relics of culture and poular outing excursion targets.
With this type of landscape becoming more rare also the plants that grow on leafy hayfields have decreased in number. Especially less common species like the Field Gentian and the Mountain Arnica but also flowers such as Cornflower and Oxeye daisy are pushed back. At Tegen there is a rich meadow flora with several uncommon herbs. Fragrant Orchid, Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Common Milkwort, Globeflower, Mountain Arnica, Alpine Bistort, Round-leaved Wintergreen, Field Gentian, Heath Spotted-orchid are some examples of flowers that grow on the meadows of Tegen. In dryer parts grows Mountain Everlasting and among some more uncommon bushes are Guelder-rose and Fly Honeysuckle. An interesting element in the vegetation is a strong multi-trunk Small-leaved Lime that grows in the eastern part of the area.
Litterature: Värmländsk Natur - en reseguide, Björn Ehrenroth, Jan Schützer
Tegen
risviken, 67291 Årjäng
From Årjäng drive towards Bengtsfors, turn left by the traffic lights, continue to the sign "Risviken" where you turn right. Continue 10 kilometres, then you will se a sign with "Tegen" to the left.
