Alpine Flowers. Gillian Price

close to snow. Valerian may be dedicated to Roman emperor Galerius Valerius who prescribed it for insomnia, though it was Hippocrates in the 4th century bc who described its hypnotic effect. It was also well known to the Mayans. See also Red Valerian.

      Hairy Alpenrose

      Rhododendron hirsuta – Rhododendron cilié – Bewimperte Alpenrose – Rododendro irsuto

      This miniature rhododendron shrub smothered in pretty pink bell-shaped flowers forms evergreen thickets across mountainsides and open woods. Unlike the similar and more common Alpenrose, this has dark green leaves that are both hairy and shiny, and it is also slightly lower in stature. It is found up to 2600m across the Alps with the exception of the western regions, and flowers May–July.

      Hoary Plantain

      Plantago media – Plantain moyen – Mittlerer Wegerich – Piantaggine media

      Plantains are common countryside plants with some 200 types in the genus, but this one grows as high as 2450m altitude across the Alps and is easily recognisable by its pretty pink-lilac hue. Tall spikes carry rather inconspicuous and mildly fragrant flowerheads comprising long filaments tipped with a white-brown anther. The oval leaves are ribbed and downy, and grouped around the base of the stalk in a rosette formation. It flowers May–September on stony terrain. Its medicinal applications from olden times range from the treatment of toothache to constipation.

      Large Pink

      Dianthus superbus – Oeillet superbe – Gewöhnliche Pracht-Nelke – Garofano superbo

      Simply superb, these pretty pink flowers with long straggly fringed edges share a branched stalk with slender leaves like blades of grass. Producing a delicate scent, it flowers June–September up to 2400m altitude in patches over most of the Alps. See also Carthusian, Maiden and Three-veined Pink.

      Maiden Pink

      Dianthus deltoides – Oeillet à delta – Heide-Nelke – Garofano deltoide

      The deep pink flower of this attractive Pink is recognisable by a darker coloured central ring along with faint spotting across the petals. It is has no fragrance to speak of and grows in dry sun-blessed meadows and open woods up to an altitude of 2000m. It is widely distributed across all but the central Alps and flowers June–September. See also Carthusian, Large and Three-veined Pink.

      Martagon Lily, Turk’s Cap Lily

      Lilium martagon – Lis martagon – Türkenbund – Giglio martagone

      A magnificent lily found all over the Alps, this is immediately recognisable by its gorgeous wine-red blooms with dark spots. The petals curve backwards into a distinctive shape – in fact the martagon tag derives from the Turkish for turban or cap – and it features prominent stamens. It flowers June–July in meadows and open woods up to 2800m altitude. See also Yellow: Carnic and Lesser Turk’s Cap Lily.

      Mezereon