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

Showing category "Alps" (Show all posts)

Glacier Crowfoot

Posted by Di Brooksbank on Saturday, June 2, 2012, In : Alps 

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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House Leek - Alpine and Mountain Varieties

Posted by Di Brooksbank on Saturday, January 21, 2012, In : Alps 

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

Posted by Di Brooksbank on Saturday, January 21, 2012, In : Alps 

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

Posted by Di Brooksbank on Saturday, January 21, 2012, In : Alps 

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

Posted by Di Brooksbank on Saturday, January 21, 2012, In : Alps 


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

Posted by Di Brooksbank on Saturday, January 21, 2012, In : Alps 

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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