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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. See also Large, Maiden and Three-veined Pink.

Catsfoot, Mountain Everlasting, Cudweed

Antennaria dioica – Pied de chat dioïque – Gewöhnliches Katzenpfötchen – Antennaria dioica

Unusual pale pink, reddish or white flowers with multiple petals surrounding a darker centre punctuated with multiple protruding stamens. The stalks are long and thick and several leaves attached, though the majority are around the base, silvery grey and oval. The plant is reportedly helpful in treating gastric ailments. Commonly found, it flowers June–August on dry heaths, rocks and meadows up to 3000m altitude.

Caucasian Stonecrop

Sedum spurium – Orpin bâtard – Kaukasus-Fetthenne – Sedo del Caucaso

This plant originally hailed from the Caucasus region but is now naturalised across the Alps, with the exception of the southwest. Its fleshy rounded leaves form open rosettes and attractive white-red or pink star-shaped flowers tightly grouped together. It grows in dense carpets on stony wastes up to 1800m altitude, and flowers June–August. The genus name derives from the Latin for ‘settle’ as the leaves of some species are believed to bring relief for wounds. As Stonecrops are commonly found on walls and roofs, they were popularly believed to protect houses from lightning strikes and fires. See also Yellow: Biting and Creamish Stonecrop; White: Thick-leaved Stonecrop.

Cobweb House-leek

Sempervivum arachnoideum – Joubarbe aranéeuse – Filzige Spinnweb-Hauswurz – Semprevivo ragnateloso

Minuscule leaf rosettes coated in a cobweb of down typify this succulent. A lover of rocky crannies and dry but sun-blessed terrain, it grows at 1700–3000m altitude. By far the brightest of its kind, its brilliant red star flowers may be streaked with purplish pink, on reddish-brown stalks. As with the other house-leeks, in addition to resembling a triffid, it holds true to the sempervivum (ever alive) designation and does not die back during winter. It flowers July–September. See also Common and Mountain House-leek; Yellow: Wulfen’s House-leek.

Common Bistort

Polygonum bistorta – Renouée bistorte – Schlangen-Knöterich – Poligono bistorta

Meadows smothered with pink-tipped spikes are a common foreground to the Alps. These spikes bear a tight cluster of tiny flowers that sway in the breeze, and long oval leaves grow alongside. The strange name refers to its ‘many-kneed’ jointed root. It flowers at length May–September up to 2500m altitude. See also White: Alpine Bistort.

Common House-leek

Sempervivum tectorum – Joubarbe des toits – Dach-Hauswurz – Semprevivo dei tetti

Dull pink flowers with a yellow centre and a perfectly circular display of delicate stamens distinguish this evergreen House-leek. A large tall plant, it has an especially stocky stalk tinged reddish-brown and smallish blue-green-red basal rosettes. It is distributed in large patches across most of the Alps, except for the northeast. It flowers June–September on grassy and rocky terrain up to 2800m altitude. See also Cobweb and Mountain House-leek; Yellow: Wulfen’s House-leek.

Common Lungwort

Pulmonaria officinalis – Pulmonaire officinale – Echtes Lungenkraut – Polmonaria officinale

The crepe-like flowers begin life pink but gradually assume a bluish-purple hue, so the plant often sports dual colours. It has long been used in the treatment of coughs and lung ailments. The leaves are hairy with large light blotches and shaped like elongated hearts. It flowers in damp woods March–May up to 1900m altitude, and is widespread except for the eastern Alps.

Cowberry

Vaccinium vitis-idaea – Airelle rouge – Preiselbeere – Mirtillo rosso

Delicate white, open bell-shaped blooms of the cowberry are followed by the edible though acidic-tasting red berry fruit which appears at the end of summer. A miniature evergreen shrub, it has an extensive system of underground roots, and flowers May–August up to 3000m altitude on open heath, woods and pastures, often in the company of the tastier Blueberry.

Creeping Azalea, Alpine Azalea

Loiseleuria procumbens – Azalée des Alpes – Alpenazalee – Azalea delle Alpi

Clusters of minuscule light pink flowers shaped like bells grow amongst dark green oblong leaves with rolled edges. A woody shrub, it forms extensive mats that hug the ground, hence the tag which means ‘prostrate’. While not terribly common, it is found across the Alps up to 3000m altitude on dry rocky terrain often in windswept spots, and flowers June–July. The plant’s reduced dimensions and ground hugging profile make it easy to distinguish from similar Dwarf Alpenrose.

Cyclamen, Sowbread

Cyclamen purpurascens – Cyclamen pourpre – Europäisches Alpenveilchen – Ciclamino delle Alpi

A beautiful plant with deep purple-carmine nodding flowers. Its heart-shaped leaves are dark green and glossy with light vein tracings. The common English name derives from the Medieval Latin, a reminder that it was swine feed, whereas the Cyclamen family name comes from the Greek for ‘circle’, plausibly due to the round tuber. It flourishes in well-shaded damp woods, especially beech, and flowers July–September as high as 1800m altitude. It is found everywhere but the far southern Alps.

Dwarf Alpenrose, Ground Cistus

Rhodothamnus chamaecistus – Rhodothamne ciste nain – Zwergalpenrose – Rododendro cistino

This is exactly what the name says – a dwarf version of the attractive and widespread Alpenrose. The low-lying woody shrub has hairy branches and very small tough leaves that are bright green. The flower has five separate pale pink petals but its distinguishing feature are the showy long white filaments that end in dark brown anthers surrounding a pink stigma. It flowers May–July across the eastern Alps on dry open slopes and rock surfaces up to 2400m altitude. An even smaller similar plant is prostrate Creeping Azalea.

Dwarf Soapwort, Pygmy Soapwort

Saponaria pumila – Niedriges Seifenkraut – Saponaire naine – Saponaria minore

The pretty deep rose pink flowers with five separate notched petals are more or less stemless. They sprout from a cushion crowded with small fleshy oblong leaves. The low plant spreads across meadows and rocky terrain. A rare find, it grows in the central-eastern Alps up to 2600m altitude. It flowers July–September. The tag means ‘dwarf’. See also Rock Soapwort, which has rather smaller flowers.

Dwarf Valerian

Valeriana supina – Valériane naine – Zwerg-Baldrian – Valeriana sdraiata

The unusual eye-catching plant forms attractive thick carpets composed of posies of delicate pink flowers. These nestle in a tight mesh of light green oblong leaves, whose edges are turned inwards like scoops. It flowers July–August up to 2900m altitude on rocks and screes, often 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