Flowers of the French Alps

felicity899 · June 2019

Can anyone identify these plants for me? I’ve drawn a complete blank. And they are not listed either in my European flower book. I found them in the Alps in June not far from the ski regions of Morzine and Praz de Lys in the limestone-rich flower meadows at between 1300 and 1800m. Many thanks indeed. Felicity

Silver surfer · June 2019

1.Looks like Phyteuma betonicifolium....blue spiked Rampion.

http://www.eastlondonnature.co.uk/2018/07/blue-spiked-rampion-2/

4. Erinus alpinus...common name Fairy foxglove.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&biw=1920&bih=944&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=WfYLXdrJJ4jQadbDoogD&q=Erinus+alpinus,+fairy+foxglove&oq=Erinus+alpinus,+fairy+foxglove&gs_l=img.12..0i8i30.8559.9032..12571...0.0..0.83.294.4......0....1..gws-wiz-img.i0wycTZu-GI

felicity899 · June 2019

Fantastic. Thank you so much. Superb .... really grateful for your reply.

Silver surfer · June 2019

3. Maybe Pedicularis foliosa?

https://www.google.com/search?q=Pedicularis+foliosa&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_wdrykfniAhVoSBUIHXkHBHgQ_AUIECgB&biw=1920&bih=944

felicity899 · June 2019

Yep, that’s it definitely. Thanks so much, you’re a star. Only saw one of these Pedicularis in 2+ weeks of walking in the Alps. Thank you 👍

josusa47 · June 2019

Going by the photos in my "Flore des Montagnes", I suggest no. 1 is more likely to be Phyteuma spicata than P. betonicifolium. No. 2 is difficult with only the leaves to go by, how big is it? The photo gives no idea of scale. Could it be Veratrum album?

felicity899 · June 2019

Many thanks for your response, much appreciated. I did see Phyteuma spicata as well, they were much in evidence, but the flower I was querying in the photo is Blue Spiked Rampion for sure. Venatrum album is very interesting - we did see a lot of these too, so thanks for confirming this one. No 2 is difficult without the flower and I just wondered if this rang a bell with anyone. It is huge - at least 2ft+ across and about 18 ins high .... big leaves the size of V album at least. Sorry and don’t worry - just a thought in case someone knew instantly when they saw it!! But thanks a lot

Flowers of the French Alps

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