Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine)
Route des Astragales, Chateau Vielle-Ville
Text coming soon!
Juniperus communis ssp.nana
Juniperus sabina
Larix decidua ssp.decidua
Salix reticulata (Net-leaved Willow)
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran
One of the easiest alpine willows to identify, Net-leaved Willow is named for the very prominent network of veins on the upper surface of the leaves.
It s a common species in damp, rocky habitats in the French Alps and Pyrenees. Like S. herbacea (see below), it is a characteristic circumboreal species of cold habitats. In Britain it is extremely rare - you can see photos of Scottish plants in the Ben Lawers section of the website.
It s a common species in damp, rocky habitats in the French Alps and Pyrenees. Like S. herbacea (see below), it is a characteristic circumboreal species of cold habitats. In Britain it is extremely rare - you can see photos of Scottish plants in the Ben Lawers section of the website.
Salix herbacea (Least Willow)
Col Agnel
One of the dwarf alpine willows, Salix Willow always grows closely pressed to the ground and can be distinguished from other small-leaved creeping species by its toothed leaf margins with a fine network of veins (S. reticulata has heavily-marked veins).
S. herbacea is widespread in the French Alps and Pyrenees, with an outlying population in the Massif Central. Further afield, it has a circumboreal distribution, occurring in northern Europe, Asia and North America.
Photos of Scottish plants can be seen here.
S. herbacea is widespread in the French Alps and Pyrenees, with an outlying population in the Massif Central. Further afield, it has a circumboreal distribution, occurring in northern Europe, Asia and North America.
Photos of Scottish plants can be seen here.
Salix serpyllifolia (probably)
This species is described in the Flora of the western Italian Alps section of the site.
Crete de Gilly
Salix caesia (Blue-leaved Willow)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
The striking blue-green colour of this willow is unlike any other species in alpine France. It grows as a low tangly shrub, often by running water.
Salix caesia has a limited distribution in Europe and is restricted to the southern Alps, from Savoie and Isere in the west, to Carinthia in eastern Austria. It is also found more widely in central and northern Asia.
Refuge de la Blanche area, Saint-Veran
Salix caesia has a limited distribution in Europe and is restricted to the southern Alps, from Savoie and Isere in the west, to Carinthia in eastern Austria. It is also found more widely in central and northern Asia.
Refuge de la Blanche area, Saint-Veran
Salix helvetica
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Text coming soon!
Salix glaucosericea
Col Lacroix
Refuge de la Blanche area, Saint-Veran
Text coming soon!
Salix hastata ssp.hastata
Refuge de la Blanche area, Saint-Veran
Col Lacroix
This shrubby willow is rather nondescript in appearance; in fact, I find the easiest way to identify it is in its lack of obvious features when compared to other alpine species!
When looked at more closely, the long-stalked, hairy catkins are diagnostic, along with glabrous leaves which are green above and glaucous below (S.helvetica has downy undersides to the leaves) and shiny, hairless twigs. The leaf margins are also sometimes finely toothed (not the Saint-Veran plant pictured here), but lack the glands found in S.foetida.
Salix hastata is widespread in montane France (although uncommon in the Pyrenees) and can also be seen across the Alps, in Scandinavia and central and northern Asia. It is a species of wet meadows and damp rocky places.
When looked at more closely, the long-stalked, hairy catkins are diagnostic, along with glabrous leaves which are green above and glaucous below (S.helvetica has downy undersides to the leaves) and shiny, hairless twigs. The leaf margins are also sometimes finely toothed (not the Saint-Veran plant pictured here), but lack the glands found in S.foetida.
Salix hastata is widespread in montane France (although uncommon in the Pyrenees) and can also be seen across the Alps, in Scandinavia and central and northern Asia. It is a species of wet meadows and damp rocky places.
Salix foetida
Forming a small shrub, Salix foetida is a widespread species in the French Alps. It is one of the easiest to recognise as well, as a close inspection of the finely-toothed leaf margins reveals prominent white glands along their length (visible in each of the three photos here). It is a plant of damp subalpine and alpine pastures.
As well as its occurrences in the Alps, this willow also occurs in arctic Europe, the Caucasus, Siberia and Greenland. In France there is also a much smaller population in the Pyrenees.
As well as its occurrences in the Alps, this willow also occurs in arctic Europe, the Caucasus, Siberia and Greenland. In France there is also a much smaller population in the Pyrenees.
Alnus viridis
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This common shrub is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps section of the site.
Polygonum alpinum (Aconogonum alpinum)
Crete de Gilly
This shrubby alpine plant is rather rare in the French Alps, and restricted to acidic meadows in schist terrrain in southern parts of the mountains.
The clusters of small white flowers are typical of the Polygonaceae, and tihs species resembles no other with its fairly robust growth habit.
The clusters of small white flowers are typical of the Polygonaceae, and tihs species resembles no other with its fairly robust growth habit.
Plantago alpina
below Col Vieux
desc with MA
Plantago sp
desc link
Herniaria alpina
Crete de Gilly
Col Lacroix
The most conspicuous feature of this cushion-forming alpine plant is the very hairy flower buds. These open to small, insignificant greenish-yellow flowers.
H. alpina is usually found at subalpine and alpine elevations, where it grows on exposed, dry, acidic crags and sun-baked rocky slopes. In the French Alps, this is the only Herniaria species found high in the mountains.
Col Vieux
H. alpina is usually found at subalpine and alpine elevations, where it grows on exposed, dry, acidic crags and sun-baked rocky slopes. In the French Alps, this is the only Herniaria species found high in the mountains.
Col Vieux
Silene acaulis
This lovely cushion-forming alpine is common in the French Alps in calcareous areas.
I've described it in more detail in the Flora of Ben Lawers NNR section of the site.
I've described it in more detail in the Flora of Ben Lawers NNR section of the site.
Gypsophila repens
leaf detail, Col Lacroix (this and previous photo)
A common sight in dry, stony, calcareous terrain, Gypsophila repens forms a mat of distinctively glaucous pale green foliage with delicate upright, fairly tall flower spikes in summer. Each spike bears a few white or pale pink flowers with five notched petals.
Dianthus pavonius
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran
This common alpine Dianthus is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps - part 1 section of the site.
Dianthus carthusianorum ssp. carthusianorum
path to Col Lacroix (all photos)
The clustered flower heads and rather tall habit help identify D. carthusianorum, although perhaps these plants were slightly taller than normal. As well as having quite tightly-packed flower clusters, the brown outer scales (epicalyx) on each flower are also characteristically around half the length of the flower. This combination of features is unique among alpine Dianthus species in the French Alps. It occurs across much of France, even at low elevations and is also legally protected across much of its range.
These plants were growing a grassy pasture on a hillside below Col Lacroix, near the Italian border.
in habitat
These plants were growing a grassy pasture on a hillside below Col Lacroix, near the Italian border.
in habitat
Dianthus deltoides (Maiden Pink)
Although a very rare plant in Britain, Maiden Pink is much more common in mountain meadows on the continent.
The species is described in more detail in the Flora of the Cordillera Cantabrica section of the site.
The species is described in more detail in the Flora of the Cordillera Cantabrica section of the site.
Cerastium latifolium
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran
Minuartia sedoides
Col Vieux (this and previous photos)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso (this and previous photo)
This cushion-forming, yellow-flowered Minuartia is described in the Flora of Ben Lawers NNR section of the site.
Minuartia rupestris
below Col Vieux
Lacs Blanchet area, Saint-Veran
The very small leaves help to identify this attractive, mat-forming species. It occurs in calcareous scree and is endemic to the Alps.
Two subspecies are recognised and both occur in the French Alps. Ssp. clementei is restricted to the Queyras, has smaller leaves and often bears its flowers in groups of two, while ssp. rupestris has larger leaves and usually single flowers.
Col Lacroix
Two subspecies are recognised and both occur in the French Alps. Ssp. clementei is restricted to the Queyras, has smaller leaves and often bears its flowers in groups of two, while ssp. rupestris has larger leaves and usually single flowers.
Col Lacroix
Sagina glabra
Although inconspicuous and unlikely to win any prizes for beauty, Saginas are interesting plants and often quite specialised to different habitats. S. glabra is a species of acidic alpine meadows and is fairly widespread in the Queyras at higher altitudes.
All Saginas are superficially similar, and close inspection is needed to identify them (and their frequent natural hybrids). S. glabra is distinguished by cushion-forming habit, petals longer than the sepals and the flowers held above the foliage on short stalks.
All Saginas are superficially similar, and close inspection is needed to identify them (and their frequent natural hybrids). S. glabra is distinguished by cushion-forming habit, petals longer than the sepals and the flowers held above the foliage on short stalks.
Lychnis flos-jovis
This attractive species is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps section of the site.
Silene rupestris (possibly)
Text coming soon!
Aconitum lycoctonum spp. vulparia
This attractive and highly poisonous species is described in the Flora of the Cordillera Cantabrica section of the site. It is widespread in the Queyras and more common than the other yellow-flowered species, A. anthora.
Delphinium dubium
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This tall, attractive perennial is one of the special wildflowers of the Queyras mountains. It is locally common in damp mountain pastures in rocky terrain in areas near the Italian border. It has an unmistakable appearance, with deep-blue flowers which have a dark central eye.
Nationally, D. dubium is restricted to the Alps, with the bulk of occurrences in the Queyras and south-east into the Maritime Alps.
Nationally, D. dubium is restricted to the Alps, with the bulk of occurrences in the Queyras and south-east into the Maritime Alps.
Anemone baldensis
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran (both photos)
This beautiful perennial is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps - part 1 section of the site.
Pulsatilla alpina
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Col d'Izoard
Text coming soon!
in habitat, Col d'Izoard
in habitat, Col d'Izoard
Ranunculus glacialis
As its name suggests, this low-growing buttercup is a specialist of cold, high-altitude regions where snow lies late into the summer. R. glacialis can be recognised by its small size, lobed leaves and flowers which age to a pinkish-purple tone.
Of the similar white-flowered alpine species, R. alpestris has five-lobed lower leaves and hairless sepals, R. parnassifolius has ovate, entire leaves and R. kuepferi is a much taller plant. The most similar species, R. seguieri, has a downy hair covering on its stems and its sepals are mostly glabrous. It is largely absent from the Queyras.
Of the similar white-flowered alpine species, R. alpestris has five-lobed lower leaves and hairless sepals, R. parnassifolius has ovate, entire leaves and R. kuepferi is a much taller plant. The most similar species, R. seguieri, has a downy hair covering on its stems and its sepals are mostly glabrous. It is largely absent from the Queyras.
Ranunculus kuepferi
Col Agnel
???
Formerly, plants like these were considered R. pyrenaeus, but now are known as R. kuepferi, with the former species considered endemic to the Pyrenees. The differences between the two are very slight.
R. kuepferi is a common sight in damp meadows at higher altitudes and is widespread throughout the French Alps. It can be identified by its narrow, lanceolate leaves and often solitary flowers which have white, hairless sepals.
R. kuepferi is a common sight in damp meadows at higher altitudes and is widespread throughout the French Alps. It can be identified by its narrow, lanceolate leaves and often solitary flowers which have white, hairless sepals.
Ranunculus parnassifolius (possibly)
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran
Text coming soon!
Ranunculus montanus
This species is described in the Flora of the Hautes-Alpes - part 1 section of the site.
Trollius europaeus (Globe Flower)
below Col Vieux (both photos)
Thalictrum minus ssp.saxatile
desc + derbs
Aquilegia vulgaris (Columbine)
Col d'Izoard
Text coming soon, pending confirmation of ID - I have a nagging feeling the long flowers make this A.reuteri.
Arabis alpina
Col Vieux (all photos)
A common perennial of damp scree, A. alpina can be recognised by its strongly-toothed, greyish-green, hairy leaves. It is a common species in the Queyras in calcareous habitats.
Sisymbrium austriacum
Col Lacroix (both photos)
The only alpine Sisymbrium in France, S. austriacum is a species of rocky meadows and scree and can be found throughout the Alps.
Hugueninia tanacetifolia (see below) is a rather similar species but has bipinnate leaves.
in habitat, Col Lacroix
Hugueninia tanacetifolia (see below) is a rather similar species but has bipinnate leaves.
in habitat, Col Lacroix
Descurainia tanacetifolia (syn. Hugueninia tanacetifolia)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This yellow-flowered crucifer of damp, stony habitats is widespread in the eastern Queyras and an be found throughout much of the French Alps.
Features separating this species from other tall, yellow-flowered crucifers are the bipinnate leav
Features separating this species from other tall, yellow-flowered crucifers are the bipinnate leav
Alyssum alpestre
foliage detail
Crete de Gilly (all photos)
A mat-forming perennial of stony, warm sites, A. alpestre can be recognised by its greyish-green, rough foliage and clusters of small yellow flowers.
The much rarer (in the Queyras) A. orophilum has notched petals.
The much rarer (in the Queyras) A. orophilum has notched petals.
Draba aizoides
below Col Vieux (all photos)
This lovely species forms small, bristly cushions of foliage, above which leafless yellow flower spikes arise. This is the only yellow-flowered Draba present in the Queyras (D. hoppeana is very difficult to distinguish and has not been reliably reported from the area).
Petrocallis pyrenaica
Col Agnel (all photos)
A lovely crucifer of calcareous scree at high altitudes, this species is easy to recognise by its pale pink flowers with rounded petals and small, almost saxifrage-like, lobed foliage. Despite its name, this species is also widespread in the Alps.
Hornungia alpina ssp.alpina (syn.Hutchinsia alpina)
Col Agnel
This species is described in the Flora of the Haute-Alpes - part 1 section of the site.
Brassica repanda ssp.repanda
Col d'Izoard
Col Vieux
Text coming soon, pending ID.
Sempervivum arachnoideum
Col Lacroix
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This common species of acidic rocks is described in the Flora of the Cordillera Cantabrica section of the site.
Sempervivum tectorum
This is the most robust Sempervivum found in the French Alps and old specimens can be half a metre across or more. Unlike S. montanum, it is a largely hairless plant and this makes for easy identification. Only the leaf margins have a line of bristly white hairs along them.
S.tectorum enjoys rocky habitats like its cousins but is less tied to them than S. arachnoideum and S. montanum - S. tectorum can be seen growing in open pastures as long as the soil is quite rocky underneath. The other two species are always (in my experience) seen directly on rocks.
S.tectorum enjoys rocky habitats like its cousins but is less tied to them than S. arachnoideum and S. montanum - S. tectorum can be seen growing in open pastures as long as the soil is quite rocky underneath. The other two species are always (in my experience) seen directly on rocks.
Sempervivum montanum
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Along with S. arachnoideum, this is perhaps the most commonly-seen Sempervivum in the French Alps (in my limited experience).
I've described the species in more detail in the Flora of the Pyrenees - part 1 section of the site.
I've described the species in more detail in the Flora of the Pyrenees - part 1 section of the site.
Sedum album
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso (both photos)
S. album is one of two alpine Sedums with white flowers, the other being S. dasyphyllum, although the latter species' flowers are usually streaked with pink and its leaves are opposite and slightly sticky, rather than alternate and shiny smooth.
Sedum montanum
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This species is described in the Flora of the Haute-Alpes - part 1 section of the site.
Sedum atratum ssp. atratum
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Named for its blood-red colour , this annual Sedum species can be recognsied by its club-shaped, alternate leaves and cream-coloured flowers. It is widespread in all mountainous parts of France in rocky habitats.
Hylotelephium anacampseros
Col Vieux
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso (this and previous photo)
Formerly known as Sedum anacampseros, this more robust 'Sedum' is easy to recognise. It looks rather similar to Rhodiola rosea but has untoothed leaves and red flowers instead of yellow ones.
H. anacampseros is widespread in acidic parts the Alps, where it favours schist or granite habitats.
H. anacampseros is widespread in acidic parts the Alps, where it favours schist or granite habitats.
Rhodiola rosea
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso (all photos)
Sedum alpestre
below Col Vieux
The rounded petals give this yellow-flowered alpine species a unique look in the French Alps - the flowers of S. acre are much more star-like due to their acute petal tips.
Androsace helvetica
Col Vieux
Text coming soon!