DiB Mountain Adventures

Mountain Flora

Whenever and wherever I am in the mountains, I'm always struck by the amazing array of flowers that survive and thrive in inhospitable surroundings. Here are an assortment of photos - usually taken to aid identification when I return to base.

If you're looking for a comprehensive catalogue of british wild flowers, check out www.thewildflowersociety.com  

I heartily recommend  www.ukwildflowers.com which has a substantial selection of European Wild Flowers as well as UK which can be searched through close-up thumbnail images 

www.alpineflowers.net is easy to search by flower colour and month of flowering

Southern Tulip

October 29, 2014


Tulipa Silvestris ssp Australis - differentiated by the red on the back of the petals

This specimen was found on the Sierra Bernia ridge, Costa Blanca May 2004
 

Speckled (or Spotted) Larkspur

October 28, 2014

Delphinium Pictum


Found high on the Caval Bernat ridge above Porto Pollenca, Mallorca


and the location where it was found...

Mallorca June 2008
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Glacier Crowfoot

June 2, 2012

Ranunculus Glacialis - growing high on Alpine passes 
 

these were on the top of Col D'Arpette, Switzerland July 2011

 

and this one tinged pink was on the Col de Bonhomme, France also July 2011
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Devil's Claw

June 2, 2012

Phyteuma Comosum - The Devil's Claw (Teufelskralle in Austria) is arguably the most iconic flower of the Dolomites - growing in tiny crevices high on the limestone crags. The Italian mountain guides use it as their emblem.

These were found on the via Ferrata SOSAT in the Brenta Dolomites, Italy - July 2009
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Alpine Snowbells

June 2, 2012

Soldanella Alpina - Alpine Snowbells 


Found on the verge where we parked the car in Madonna di Campiglio, Brenta Dolomites, Italy in July 2009
Also spied in the Bon Nant valley south of Les Contamines where the snow had just melted June 2014
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House Leek - Alpine and Mountain Varieties

January 21, 2012

Sempervivum montanum - flower colour is deep vibrant pink, found near Lake Combal above Val Veni.


Sempervivum alpinum - much paler flowers and taller flower spikes Found above Elisabetta Hut, Val Veny, Italy August 2011
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Long-leaved Hare's Ear

January 21, 2012

Buplerum longifolium - Long-leaved Hare's Ear Flowers. Used in Chinese medicine


Found growing below Fenetre d'Arpette en route to Trient, Tour du Mont Blanc, Switzerland August 2011

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Field Gentian

January 21, 2012

Gentianella Campestris - small clusters of mauve flowers. (Small white flowers around it are Eyebright)

It's normally accepted that Field Gentian has 4 petals and German (or Chiltern) Gentian has 5 - but I've seem plants with both occurring quite naturally in the French Alps.

Found below Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, Tour du Mont Blanc, France July 2011
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Spring Gentian

January 21, 2012


Gentiana verna - one of the smaller of the gentians. Despite its name, it does flower well into summer.

Found near Chalet La Balme above Les Contamines, Tour du Mont Blanc, France July 2011
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Alpine Willowherb

January 21, 2012

Epilobium Fleischeri - a relative of our RoseBay Willow Herb.


Found near Col de la Seigne, Tour du Mont Blanc, France/Italy border
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