Campanula glomerata
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Campanula scheuchzeri
Somiedo
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Campanula patula (Spreading Bellflower)
Somiedo
More a plant of woodland margins up to subalpine elevations than a true mountain plant, C.patula can be found across Europe. Its clusters of open flowers spread apart, hence the common name.
Scabiosa columbaria (Small Scabious)
Cephalaria leucantha
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Catananche caerulea
Cicerbita plumieri
Carduus carlinoides (Pyrenean Thistle)
Somiedo
This species is discussed in the Flora of the Spanish Pyrenees part 2 page here.
Rhaponticum coniferum
Formerly known as Leuzea conifera, this little knapweed relative grows in dry hot areas on open soil.
Jurinea
Carduus defloratus (Alpine Thistle)
This tall alpine plant looks superficially similar to other thistles but can be distinguished by its solitary, nodding flower heads, hairless leaves and the S-shaped curl on its outermost flower bracts, The most similar species are either hairy (Musk Thistle) or absent from Spain (C.carduelis). C.carlinifolius can look similar but the flowering stems are strongly branched, unlike Alpine Thistle.
Cirsium eriophorum (Woolly Thistle)
A familiar native of limestone and chalk grassland in southern England (you can see photos of it from Derbyshire here), Woolly Thistle is widespread across much of Europe too, including high up into the mountains above the tree line. No other has densely woolly flower heads - it has a unique appearance.
Rhaponticum centauroides
Endemic to the Pyrenees, this giant knapweed relative makes an imposing when one comes across it in an alpine meadow. Its size alone makes it easy to identify, but other key features are the solitary flower heads, lack of rays in the flowers and brown lanceolate flower bracts.
In older references, this species was known as Leuzea centauroides or Stemmacantha centauroides.
In older references, this species was known as Leuzea centauroides or Stemmacantha centauroides.
Crepis pygmaea
Found throughout the mountains of south-western Europe, Crepis pygmaea is one of the easier hawksbeards to identify: a combination of the broad leaves on long, wavy-winged petioles and yellow flowers which are tinged red-purple on the outside will help to confirm it.
Carlina acanthifolia ssp. cynara
Carlina cynaroides
Himantoglossum hircinum (Lizard Orchid)
Whilst a very rare plant in the mildest areas of the British Isles, the Lizard Orchid is much more common in southern Europe, even occurring high up on dry, alpine slopes, as here in Asturias.
Allium sphaerocephalon (Round-headed Leek)
Somiedo Parque Natural, Asturias
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Merendera montana
In late summer, the beautiful pale violet flowers of Merendera stud alpine pastures like delicate jewels. Superficially similar to Colchicum autumnale, it can be distinguished by the way the flowers fall apart to the ground when open, rather than remaining joined together in a tube.
Merendera is endemic to the Pyrenees.
Merendera is endemic to the Pyrenees.
Veratrum album (White False Helleborine)
A common, tall member of the Lily family, White False Helleborine can be found throughout Spains mountains and is often abundant in open meadows and pastures next to woodland. Its large pleated leaves resemble those of Gentiana lutea but obviously the flower spike is completely different. The flowers of V.album are often not white but a pale yellowish-green.
The whole plant is reportedly highly toxic - something I don't plan to put to the test!
The whole plant is reportedly highly toxic - something I don't plan to put to the test!
Carex sp.
Saja-Besaya Parque Natural
Currently unidentified.
Ferns
Asplenium ruta-muraria (Wall Rue)
Recognisable by its fan-shaped pinnae, this often very small fern is common not just in the mortar of old walls, but also in natural calcareous, dry habitats. It is found throughout Europe.
Asplenium viride (Green Spleenwort)
Always a nice find in the mountains, Green Spleenwort is a widespread fern of calcareous rock crevices. As its name suggests, it is totally green, unlike Maidenhair Spleenwort, which has a black-brown midrib and stalk.
You can see photos of A.viride from Britain here.
You can see photos of A.viride from Britain here.
Holly Fern (Polystichum lonchitis)
This beautiful fern always hints at good terrain for the botanist, growing in damp, calcareous meadows and screes where other special species often occur. No other European mountain fern looks similar.
You can see photos of Holly Fern growing in Britain here.
You can see photos of Holly Fern growing in Britain here.