Alpine toadflax

Alpine flower, primarily pollinated by bumblebees.

The alpine toadflax can be seen from afar. In high mountain scree, it greets us with its purple and orange flowers between June and September.

The alpine toadflax anchors itself in the unstable substrate of scree with its long, branching root system. It grows high in the Slovenian Alps, but it is often washed away by torrential waters and deposited in lower areas, where this colorful flower continues to thrive. It grows to a height of five to fifteen centimeters and blooms from June to September.

This colorful alpine beauty has a two-lipped, symetrical flower, a superior ovary, four stamens, and a spur. Its leaves are small, bluish-green, narrow, and almost needle-lik.

The bright orange protrusion poses a significant obstacle for potential pollinators, as the pollen and sweet nectar are located within the long spur. Only strong insects are able to access the flower.

Source: Pixabay

Alpine toadflax (Linaria alpina)

Size	from 5 to 15 cm
Blooming period	June - September
Growing site	scree, gravel
Distribution	the Julian Alps

Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	angiosperms
Class	dicotyledons
Order	Lamiales
Family	Plantaginaceae
Genus	Linaria
Species	Alpine toadflax

DO YOU KNOW?

In the Middle Ages, alpine toadflax was placed in children's cradles, as it was believed to protect children from curses.