Aster alpinus

Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus )

The Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus ), also Alpine Star Flower, Blue Gamsblüh, Blue Gamswurz or Blue Mountain called star herb, is a plant of the genus Aster (Aster ) in the sunflower family ( Asteraceae).

Description

The alpine aster is a perennial, herbaceous plant, reaching the heights of growth 5-20 centimeters. The stems and elongated leaves are hairy fluffy. The basal leaves are stalked, the stem leaves are sessile.

The stems just a big basket- shaped inflorescence is present, which has a diameter of 3 to 5 centimeters. The large flower head consists of a series of purple ray flowers and many golden yellow tubular flowers ( disc florets ). The Hüllschuppen are lanceolate and sitting several rows on the flower heads. The flowering period extends from July to September.

The fruits ( achenes ) are 3 to 4 mm long, hairy upstanding, with rough hair.

Occurrence and location

The Alpine Aster is spread by the Alps, Pyrenees, Tatras to the Balkans and Asia.

The alpine aster prefers dry, warm and calcareous soils from the valley up to altitudes of 3100 meters. It is often found together with the edelweiss.

Others

This species is protected in Germany under the Federal Species Protection Ordinance.

More images

In the eastern Alps at 1500 meters altitude.

In its natural habitat in the Tatras.

Seed