Phyteuma globulariifolium ssp.pedemontanum
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
One of the loveliest plants of the Queyras (in my opinion) is the beautiful P. globulariifolium pedemontanum. While its name is large, this plant is a miniature gem, barely 10cm tall when flowering. It is a common sight on damp schist rock ledges and outcrops.
The nominate form of P. globulariifolium is a plant of the eastern Alps and is not found in France.
The nominate form of P. globulariifolium is a plant of the eastern Alps and is not found in France.
Phyteuma ovatum
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This tall Phyteuma of woodland edges and shady meadows is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps - part 3 section of the site.
Phyteuma michelii
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This large Phyteuma is one of several tall-growing species that have more or less elongate flower spikes. It is similar to other tall species such as P.betonicifolium and P.spicatum and to be sure of identification, one must look carefully at the least shape and relative length and breadth of the leaf blades, especially the basal leaves.
Based on similar images of plants from the French Alps, I have identified these photos as P.michelii, but without a clear view of the basal leaves, this is is not 100% certain.
Based on similar images of plants from the French Alps, I have identified these photos as P.michelii, but without a clear view of the basal leaves, this is is not 100% certain.
Campanula spicata
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This species is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps - part 3 section of the site.
Campanula cochlearifolia
Col Vieux
This attractive species is widespread in the mountains of western and central Europe. Its short, blue, rounded flowers are distinctive, as are the short, broad, toothed leaves - most other small alpine Campanula species have linear leaves.
The most similar French species is C.jaubertiana, which has shorter flowers and a densely-hairy appearance. This species is a Pyrenean endemic, however, and so in the Queyras, at least, C.cochlearifolia is an unmistakable species.
The most similar French species is C.jaubertiana, which has shorter flowers and a densely-hairy appearance. This species is a Pyrenean endemic, however, and so in the Queyras, at least, C.cochlearifolia is an unmistakable species.
Campanula cenisia
Col Agnel (both photos)
A small, creeping, inconspicuous plant of screes and other exposed, rocky habitats, C. cenisia is easy to identify when in bloom, as its pale violet flowers open widely to present a starry aspect to the viewer.
Unlike some other alpine Campanulas in France (e.g. C. alpestris), this species tends to avoid limestone and strongly calcareous habitats.
Unlike some other alpine Campanulas in France (e.g. C. alpestris), this species tends to avoid limestone and strongly calcareous habitats.
Campanula alpestris
Col Vieux
The large, bold, purple flowers of C.alpestris make this beautiful species instantly recognisable. Endemic to the south-western Alps of France and Italy, this lovely plant inhabits exposed, dry, rocky, calcareous habitats, especially screes.
Campanula glomerata (Clustered Bellflower)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Scabiosa lucida ssp.lucida (Shining Scabious)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Resembling a pink-flowered version of Field Scabious, this plant occupies similar habitats throughout the Alps.
The name comes from the shiny appearance of the leaves, which have a very distinctive large end-lobe.
The name comes from the shiny appearance of the leaves, which have a very distinctive large end-lobe.
Aster alpinus
Col Vieux
One of the most distinctive flowering plants of the Alps, A.alpinus is a stunning species when in full bloom. It can be found in almost any calcareous meadow as long as the soil is not too damp.
No other species is likely to be confused with A.alpinus - the superficially similar Erigeron species are much smaller in stature.
No other species is likely to be confused with A.alpinus - the superficially similar Erigeron species are much smaller in stature.
Erigeron uniflorus
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Col Vieux
This species is described in the Flora of the central Hautes-Alpes & Savoie section of the site.
Lacs Blanchet area, Saint-Veran
Lacs Blanchet area, Saint-Veran
Bellidiastrum michelii (syn.Aster bellidiastrum)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso (both photos)
A distinctive white-flowered daisy of permanently moist habitats, B.michelii is common and widespread in the French Alps. The leaves resemble those of Aster alpinus but are broader.
Antennaria dioica
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran (both photos)
This widespread montane plant is described in the Flora of the Pyrenees - part 2 section of the site.
Taxaracum
Leontopodium alpinum (Edelweiss)
Col Lacroix
This species is described in the Flora of the Hautes-Alpes - part 2 section of the site.
Anthemis cretica ssp.columnae
Col Agnel
This species is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps - part 3 section of the site.
Achillea nana
Col Vieux
This common species is described in the Flora of the Hautes-Alpes - part 2 section of the site.
Achillea erba-rotta ssp.erba-rotta
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
An understated plant of stable siliceous scree and rocky meadows, A.erba-rotta is one the special alpine plants of the Queyras.
There are two subspecies, with different distributions within France: ssp.erba-rotta is a very restricted southern subspecies, restricted to the Maurienne and adjacent Italy, while ssp.moschata is a northern form found in Savoie, extending to adjacent Switzerland and Italy and extending as far east as the Austrian Alps.
The two subspecies are separated based on leaf-form - ssp.moschata has pinnate leaves while the form shown here has simple, toothed leaves.
There are two subspecies, with different distributions within France: ssp.erba-rotta is a very restricted southern subspecies, restricted to the Maurienne and adjacent Italy, while ssp.moschata is a northern form found in Savoie, extending to adjacent Switzerland and Italy and extending as far east as the Austrian Alps.
The two subspecies are separated based on leaf-form - ssp.moschata has pinnate leaves while the form shown here has simple, toothed leaves.
Homogyne alpina
Col Agnel
This common species is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps - part 3 section of the site.
Col Lacroix
Col Lacroix
Arnica montana
foliage detail, Col d'Izoard (this and previous photo)
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran
One of the classic flowers of the Alps, Arnica is lovely plant, with bold yellow daisy flowers borne above soft, hairy green foliage. The best way to differentiate Arnica from similar species such as Doronicum is to look at the flowering stems - Arnica stems have very few leaves, whereas Doronicum stems have leaves all the way up the flowering stems.
Doronicum grandiflorum
stem leaf detail
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran
A common perennial of stony alpine pastures, D.grandiflorum is a frequent sight at high altitudes in the Queyras.
Two Doronicum species are present here, which are very similar. D.grandiflorum has its basal leaves edged with glandular hairs, whilst D.clusii has simple hairs. The latter species is very rare in the Queyras and largely restricted to the Italian frontier, where it grows in siliceous scree.
Col d'Izoard
Two Doronicum species are present here, which are very similar. D.grandiflorum has its basal leaves edged with glandular hairs, whilst D.clusii has simple hairs. The latter species is very rare in the Queyras and largely restricted to the Italian frontier, where it grows in siliceous scree.
Col d'Izoard
Carduus defloratus ssp.defloratus
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
C.defloratus is a widespread thistle of the Alps and easy to recognise - it has the typical very spiny leaves of Carduus, but they are more or less hairless and the flowerheads are always solitary. Only one other Carduus species can be seen at over 2000m in the French Alps - the rare, endemic C.aurosicus, which has tomentose leaves, spinier-looking flowerheads and inhabits dry, calcareous scree.
A second subspecies of C.defloratus, ssp.carlinifolius, also occurs in the Alps and is recognised by its leaves ending in a long spine.
A second subspecies of C.defloratus, ssp.carlinifolius, also occurs in the Alps and is recognised by its leaves ending in a long spine.
Cirsium eriophorum
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This species is described as part of the Flora of Derbyshire section of the site.
Cirsium alsophilum (syn.Cirsium montanum)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Perhaps the most special plant described on this page of the site, C.alsophilum is known from a single site in the entire province of Hautes-Alpes - here in the Ristolas-Viso Reserve, where it is locally common in moist, flat, subalpine meadows. This population is the most northerly in France.
It is easy to recognise, thanks to its clustered, pale pink inflorescence and large, toothed bipinnate leaves.
C.alsophilum is restricted to the Alps in France, becoming more frequent further south than the Queyras. The species also occurs in Italy, Switzerland, Croatia and Slovenia.
It is easy to recognise, thanks to its clustered, pale pink inflorescence and large, toothed bipinnate leaves.
C.alsophilum is restricted to the Alps in France, becoming more frequent further south than the Queyras. The species also occurs in Italy, Switzerland, Croatia and Slovenia.
Centaurea montana
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Centaurea uniflora
Col Lacroix
This common meadow species is described in the Flora of the central Hautes-Alpes and Savoie section of the site.
Artemisia glacialis
Col Vieux
A plant of dry, exposed scree and rocks at high altitudes, this common Artemisia is easy to recognise when in flower, thanks to its bright yellow flowerheads which form small, rounded clusters.
Other yellow-flowered alpine Artemisias have their flowers in spikes, as well as differing in other ways.
Other yellow-flowered alpine Artemisias have their flowers in spikes, as well as differing in other ways.
Artemisia umbelliformis
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran
Superficially similar to A.glacialis (above), this species has its flowers growing in a spiked inflorescence, rather than as a simple cluster at the top of the stem. Its flowering stems are also more leafy in appearance, as the axils bear both leaves and flower clusters.
A.umbelliformis is found in similar habitats to A.glacialis, but on calcareous rocks only.
A.umbelliformis is found in similar habitats to A.glacialis, but on calcareous rocks only.
Artemisia genipi
Col Vieux (both photos)
This iconic alpine species is described in the Flora of the Hautes-Alpes - part 2 section of the site.
Jacobaea incana (syn.Senecio incanus)
Col Vieux (this and previous photos)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This common species is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps - part 3 section of the site.
Senecio doronicum
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
The downy, toothed, spoon-shaped leaves and large, bright yellow flowers help to identify this attractive species. Favouring calcareous terrain, it can be found in all mountainous areas of France.
Hieracium tomentosum
This species is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps - part 3 section of the site.
Hieracium sp
image coming soon
Col d'Izoard
Col d'Izoard
Text coming soon.
Allium sp.
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Text coming soon!
Ornithogalum orthophyllum ssp.kochii
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
France's only high-altitude Ornithogalum, this species is a plant of fairly dry habitats, up to subalpine elevations. The population here was growing in semi-shade in a wooded clearing (hence the juniper in the background).
In the recent Flore de France (2014), this plant is recognised as a distinct species, based on how often the bulbs divide, but the Flora Europaea regards it as a subspecies of the very widespread O.orthophyllum, which in France is a much more lowland species.
In the recent Flore de France (2014), this plant is recognised as a distinct species, based on how often the bulbs divide, but the Flora Europaea regards it as a subspecies of the very widespread O.orthophyllum, which in France is a much more lowland species.
Colchicum alpinum
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
A plant of acidic meadows, primarily in the Alps, C.alpinum is one of three species occurring at higher altitudes in the French Alps.
C.bulbocodium flowers in the spring (long before this photo was taken!), and C.autumnale has longer tepals and flowers from September onwards. The plant shown here was photographed in early August.
C.bulbocodium flowers in the spring (long before this photo was taken!), and C.autumnale has longer tepals and flowers from September onwards. The plant shown here was photographed in early August.
Lilium martagon
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
This lovely plant is always a special sight. It is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps - part 3 section of the site.
Traunsteineria globosa
Col Lacroix
This species is described in the Flora of the Maritime Alps - part 3 section of the site.
Coeloglossum viride (Frog Orchid)
Col Lacroix
This easily-overlooked green orchid is just at home in damp mountain pastures as it is at lower altitudes in France.
The species is described in more detail in the Flora of Dorset section of the site.
The species is described in more detail in the Flora of Dorset section of the site.
Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp.cruenta
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Text coming soon!
leaves, showing hooded tip
leaves, showing hooded tip
Gymnadenia conopsea (Fragrant Orchid)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Text coming soon!
Festuca violacea
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran
As its names suggests, this grass is distinctly purple when in flower, and easily recognised. In France, it is entirely restricted to the Alps and occurs in stony habitats.
A similar species, F.melanopsis (formerly regarded as a subspecies of F.violacea) has larger flowers and is a species of calcareous scree.
A similar species, F.melanopsis (formerly regarded as a subspecies of F.violacea) has larger flowers and is a species of calcareous scree.
Phleum alpinum
Col Agnel
This common alpine grass is described in the Flora of the central Hautes-Alpes & Savoie section of the site.
Juncus jacquinii
Col Agnel
Endemic to the Alps, this rush is especially beautiful and distinctive in flower, when the unique combination of very dark glumes, pale yellow stamens and pink stigmas can be been. It is a species of siliceous rocks, in damp habitats, like so many of the genus.
Juncus triglumis ssp.triglumis
Col Lacroix
A small rush of damp, calcareous schist soils, this species is described in the Flora of Ben Lawers NNR - Sedges & Rushes section of the site.
Carex echinata ssp.echinata
Col Lacroix
This widespread species is described in the Flora of Ben Lawers NNR - Sedges & Rushes section of the site.
Carex foetida
Col Agnel
The short, globular, dark inflorescences make C.foetida an easy sedge to identify in the Alps, where it is a common species of cold, acidic pastures where snow lies late in the year.
Carex frigida
Col Vieux
The inflorescence with several long-stemmed dark flowering spikes helps identify C.frigida, which is a widespread plant sunny, marshy habitats in mountainous France, not just the Alps. The most similar species is C.fimbriata, which is a much rarer species restricted to the northern Alps.
The two have different utricles, though. Those of fimbriata are short, whereas C.frigida has much more elongate ones, as can be seen in this photo.
The two have different utricles, though. Those of fimbriata are short, whereas C.frigida has much more elongate ones, as can be seen in this photo.
Carex parviflora
Lacs Blanchet area, Saint-Veran
This common alpine sedge is described in the Flora of the central Hautes-Alpes & Savoie section of the site.
Lacs Blanchet
Col Lacroix
Lacs Blanchet
Col Lacroix
Carex nigra
Refuge de la Blanche
Text coming soon!
Thank you to Thomas Legland for the identification.
Thank you to Thomas Legland for the identification.
Carex curvula
Col Lacroix
This common alpine sedge is described in the Flora of the central Hautes-Alpes & Savoie section of the site.
Kobresia myosuroides
Col Agnel
This species is described in the Flora of the central Hautes-Alpes & Savoie section of the site.
Eriophorum angustifolium
Col Agnel
Text coming soon!
Eriophorum scheuchzeri
Col Agnel
Text coming soon!
Eleocharis quinqueflora
Col Agnel
Text coming soon!
Thanks to Dan Watson for the identificaiton.
Thanks to Dan Watson for the identificaiton.
Selaginella selaginoides
Col Lacroix
In the French Alps, this little plant occupies the same habitat as in Britain - acidic-neutral marshy habits and hillside flushes. Its spirally-arranged leaves and vertical stems make it easy to recognise.
The species is described further in the _______ section of the site.
The species is described further in the _______ section of the site.
Polystichum lonchitis (Holly Fern)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
A beautiful fern of calcareous rocks, Holly Fern is less exclusively upland in France than it is in Britain.
The species is described in more detail in the Flora of Corrie Fee NNR section of the site.
The species is described in more detail in the Flora of Corrie Fee NNR section of the site.
Asplenium viride
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas-Viso
Crete de Gilly
One of the commonest ferns at high altitudes on the mountains of the Queyras, A.viride grows in calcareous rock fissures where the microclimate remains cool and shaded, even in summer.
The species is described in more detail in the Flora of Corrie Fee NNR section of the site. You can see photos of other plants from Britain (here) and (here), and Spanish plants here.
The species is described in more detail in the Flora of Corrie Fee NNR section of the site. You can see photos of other plants from Britain (here) and (here), and Spanish plants here.
Botrychium lunaria (Moonwort)
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran
Col Lacroix
The most widespread of France's five Botrychium species, B.lunaria is by far the commonest member of this family of diminutive, easily-overlooked ferns. All are superficially similar, but B.lunaria is most easily distinguished by the pinnae on the lower, sterile parts, which lack a prominent central nerve.
B.lunaria is found throughout all mountainous areas of France. B.simplex and B.matricariifolium are much rarer species nationally. The two remaining species, B.lanceolatum and B.multifidum are noted as possibly extinct in the most recent French flora.
Col Vieux
B.lunaria is found throughout all mountainous areas of France. B.simplex and B.matricariifolium are much rarer species nationally. The two remaining species, B.lanceolatum and B.multifidum are noted as possibly extinct in the most recent French flora.
Col Vieux
Cystopteris fragilis
Col Vieux
Text coming soon!
Athyrium distentifolium
Refuge de la Blanche area, Saint-Veran
Text coming soon!
Thanks to Dan Watson for the identification.
Thanks to Dan Watson for the identification.