Alpine Flowers. Gillian Price

      A Glossary and a simplified diagram of a flower are also provided at the front of the book, after the contents page.

      Distribution

      If not specified in the individual description, the flowers are found widely across the Alps.

      There is a marvellous network of botanical gardens across the length and breadth of the Alpine chain, in Austria, France, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland. Each has expertly labelled species, which is of great help for interested visitors. A list is given in the Appendix.

      FLOWERS

      This thistle has successfully attracted two pollen distributors

      Alpenrose

      Rhododendron ferrugineum – Rhododendron ferrugineux – Rostblättrige Alpenrose – Rododendro ferrugineo

      Thickets of this attractive evergreen shrub cover vast swathes of mountain-sides up to 3200m altitude, often in the company of larch and bilberries. The name derives from the Greek ‘tree of roses’ and it puts on a glorious show June–August with clusters of pink-red bell-shaped blooms. It can be distinguished from the otherwise identical Hairy Alpenrose by rusty-coloured scales underneath its shiny dark green leaves. These contain toxic substances, a savvy protection from grazing livestock. Its dried branches were once fashioned into brooms or used to filter milk.

      Alpine Aster

      Aster alpinus – Aste des Alpes – Alpen-Aster – Astro alpino

      A striking member of the Daisy family that brightens alpine pastures and dry stony places with its pinkish or, less commonly, mauve outer petals and rich yellow disc-like heart. It grows as high as 3200m altitude, and flowers June–August. Aster comes from the Greek for ‘star’.

      Alpine Gypsophila, Creeping Baby’s Breath

      Gypsophila repens – Gypsophile rampante – Kriechendes Gipskraut – Gipsofila strisciante

      A sprawling clump of silvery grey leaves all but smothered with tiny stars of pale pink or lilac. On close inspection five-petalled flowers with minimal notches are revealed. It flowers May–August and prefers dry stony places and bare rock surfaces up to 2900m altitude. The main name means ‘lover of chalk’ while the tag is ‘creep’ and in fact the stems are semi-prostrate.

      Alpine Rock-jasmine

      Androsace alpina – Androsace des Alpes – Alpen-Mannschild – Androsace alpina

      An eye-catching spreading cushion plant that hugs screes and rock surfaces, keeping as low a profile as possible. Very small pretty pale pink or white flowers with five petals are accompanied by lance-shaped leaves covered in short hairs. Unlike the very similar Moss Campion, this has rounded petals and a yellowish centre, as well as woody branches and roots. Widespread, it flowers July–August as high as 4000m altitude.

      Alpine Rose

      Rosa pendulina – Rosier des Alpes – Alpen-Heckenrose – Rosa alpina

      An exceptionally pretty pinkish-purple rose that grows in dense thickets that emanate a recognisable sweet fragrance. The flower centre is white, punctuated with showy yellow anthers. The bushes can grow as tall as 2m and do not generally have thorns. It flowers June–July in clearings and woodland up to 2600m altitude.

      Alpine Thrift, Mountain Thrift

      Armeria alpina – Arméria des Alpes – Alpen-Grasnelke – Armeria alpina

      Just like the seaside version – in fact the name may derive from the Celtic for ‘near the sea’ – this thrift is a multi-bloom tuft atop a slender hairless green stalk, accompanied by slim spiky leaves. The calyx resembles thin plastic sheeting and embraces a bunch of flowers ranging from bright to pale pink. Its habitat is screes and damp meadows up to 3100m, and it flowers July–August across all but the central-north Alps.

      Alpine Willowherb

      Epilobium fleischeri – Épilobe de Fleischer – Kies-Weidenröschen – Epilobio di Fleischer

      While similar to Rosebay Willowherb, this plant is blunter in shape and notably shorter. It bears paler pink flowers distinguished by dark pink stamens. It flowers July–September up to 2700m altitude on moraines and river banks and is widespread with the exception of the eastern Alps.

      Bee Orchid

      Ophrys apifera – Ophrys abeille – Bienen-Ragwurz – Ofride fior d’ape

      Just one of the weird and wonderful so-called insect orchids, this resembles a bee. The exquisite flowers have pink-purple outer lips framing a deep brown velvet man-like figure. It flowers May–June on grassy places in patches across the Alps up to 1800m altitude. See also other orchids: Black Vanilla; Yellow: Elder-flowered and Lady’s Slipper; Purple: Broad-leaved Marsh, Common Spotted and Heath Spotted; White: Burnt, Musk and Small White.

      Bird’s-eye Primrose

      Primula farinosa – Primevère farineuse – Mehl-Primel – Primula farinosa

      This dainty Primrose has a multitude of light pink-lilac flowers, each with five toothed petals and a tiny yellow eye, atop a slender stalk. Sprouting from the base are pale grey-green veined leaves that contain a white farinaceous powder. It flowers May–August on marshes and damp meadows up to 3000m altitude. See also Stinking Primrose; Yellow: Bear’s-ear, Oxlip and Primrose; Purple: Marginate Primrose.

      Black Vanilla Orchid

      Nigritella nigra – Orchis vanillé – Schwarzes Männertreu – Nigritella comune

      Rich alpine meadows are often dotted with tiny dark brown-reddish orchids that go unnoticed by the uninitiated eye. Close up, the surprisingly strong vanilla-cocoa scent is evident and according to alpine hearsay, cows that eat them produce chocolate-flavoured milk! The flower can be rounded or pyramidal and also comes in pink. It flowers June–August up to 2800m altitude. See also other orchids: Bee; Yellow: Elder-flowered and Lady’s Slipper; Purple: Broad-leaved Marsh, Common Spotted and Heath Spotted; White: Burnt, Musk and Small White.

      Carthusian Pink

      Dianthus carthusianorum – Oeillet des Chartreux – Gewöhnliche Karthäuser-Nelke – Garofano dei Certosini

      Thin leaves are placed at intervals on tall slender stalks that bear dense clusters of vivid deep pink-purple flowers with a central patch of white, serrated petals and a brown-purple calyx. It flowers May–August to 2500m altitude across most of the Alps. Dianthus derives from the ancient Greek for ‘flower of the Gods’, although ‘Pink’ was probably first used for the flower and later extended to the colour. The plant was popular in Roman times for ceremonies, while the Arabs appreciated its scented species for distilling perfume; no wonder the Crusaders brought it back to Europe.