Flowers of the French Alps

felicity899

Can anyone identify these plants for me? I’ve drawn a complete blank. And they are not listed either in my European flower book. I found them in the Alps in June not far from the ski regions of Morzine and Praz de Lys in the limestone-rich flower meadows at between 1300 and 1800m. Many thanks indeed. Felicity

Silver surfer

1.Looks like Phyteuma betonicifolium....blue spiked Rampion.

http://www.eastlondonnature.co.uk/2018/07/blue-spiked-rampion-2/

 

4. Erinus alpinus...common name Fairy foxglove.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&biw=1920&bih=944&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=WfYLXdrJJ4jQadbDoogD&q=Erinus+alpinus,+fairy+foxglove&oq=Erinus+alpinus,+fairy+foxglove&gs_l=img.12..0i8i30.8559.9032..12571...0.0..0.83.294.4......0....1..gws-wiz-img.i0wycTZu-GI

felicity899

Fantastic. Thank you so much. Superb .... really grateful for your reply. 

Silver surfer

3. Maybe Pedicularis foliosa?

https://www.google.com/search?q=Pedicularis+foliosa&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_wdrykfniAhVoSBUIHXkHBHgQ_AUIECgB&biw=1920&bih=944

felicity899

Yep, that’s it definitely. Thanks so much, you’re a star. Only saw one of these Pedicularis in 2+ weeks of walking in the Alps. Thank you 👍

josusa47

Going by the photos in my "Flore des Montagnes", I suggest no. 1 is more likely to be Phyteuma spicata than P. betonicifolium.  No. 2 is difficult with only the leaves to go by, how big is it?  The photo gives no idea of scale.  Could it be Veratrum album?

felicity899

Many thanks for your response, much appreciated. I did see Phyteuma spicata as well, they were much in evidence, but the flower I was querying in the photo is Blue Spiked Rampion for sure. Venatrum album is very interesting - we did see a lot of these too, so thanks for confirming this one. No 2 is difficult without the flower and I just wondered if this rang a bell with anyone. It is huge - at least 2ft+ across and about 18 ins high .... big leaves the size of V album at least. Sorry and don’t worry - just a thought in case someone knew instantly when they saw it!! But thanks a lot