Location Vaud, Switzerland
You see this one quite alot in the UK as well, but it is mentioned in a number of Alpine flora books. This plant will pretty much grow anywhere especially when there has been alot of ground disruption it can be one of the first plants to grow.
Monkshood (Aconitum)
Location Vaud, Switzerland
Approximate altitude 2000m
Deadly poisonous. Even to just brush past is said to possibly cause skin irritation.
Location Vaud Switzerland
Approximate altitude 1800m
This is pretty similar to our own Chiltern Gentian but it has 4 petals not 5.
It is said some German bitters are made from this plant.
Dwarf Snowbell (Soldanella pusilla). Location Ötztal Alps
The difference between this and the Alpine Snowbell is the Dwarf Snowbell flowers solitary whilst the Alpine Snowbell flowers in clusters of 1 - 3.
Creeping Azalea (Loiseleuria procumbens).
Heather family.
Location Ötztal Alps.
Flowers between May and August
The creeping Azalea is a typical wind whipped plant growing on the
bare. mountainsides. This plant can self fertilize if the pollen from
another plant is not transported by bees during the day, the stamens will bend against the stigmas and hence self fertilize.
bare. mountainsides. This plant can self fertilize if the pollen from
another plant is not transported by bees during the day, the stamens will bend against the stigmas and hence self fertilize.
Purple Colts-foot aka Alpine Colts-foot (Homogyne Alpina)
Location Zell Am See
Said to have medicinal properties
Location - Obersdorf, Allgau Alps
Flowers July - Aug
Habitat
1100 - 2500m calcoreous soil
It has
intense bitter properties which can be found in the root. Before the
introduction of hops the plant was dried and used in German biers.
It is
found on the back of an Albanian money note with king genius on the other side.
Medicinally
it is used the root has been used as a herbal medicine for digestive disorders.
It is said if the petals are boiled and smelt thy ease breathing.
Location - Allgau Alps
Rose family
Flowers
May - August
Habitat
800 - 2400 calcareous soil
The
specific epithet octopetala derives from the Greek octo (eight) and petalon
(petal), referring to the eight petals of the flower, an unusual number in the
Rosaceae, where five is the normal number. However flowers with up to 16 petals
also occur naturally.
Spiked
rampion (white one) Phyteuma
Phyteuma
is a genus of around 40 plants, common name rampion.
Rampion
features in the 1812 German fairytale Rapunzel. Rapunzel is the name given to a
local variety of rampion in the tale. 'Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let your hair down.
Perennial Cornflower (purple) Centaurea montana
Flowers May - August
Attracts large numbers of butterflies. Extracts from the plant are often used in conditioners and shampoos and the dried flowers can be included in potpourri. The flowers are known as an astringent herb, and are sometimes used as an ingredient in treatments for conditions such as oral wounds or ulcers, and conjungtivitis or pink eye.
Alpine butterwort Pinguicula alpinaInsectivorous plant which has sticky leaves on which it catches its prey. It is also helped by having slightly curved leaves which bring more of the glands into contact with the prey to help
digestion.
Folk medicine didn't distinguish between various butterwort species, but prescribed them for sores, swelling and liver discease as well as stomach aches amongst other things. It's supposed effectiveness is due to the cinnamic acid found in the plants.
Flowers March - July
The tale of Spring Gentians is that it is considered unlucky to pick one and whoever does will be struck by lightening.
