Image of European thimbleweed

Description:

Slo.: podlesna vetrnica - Habitat: Alpine pasture, calcareous ground, partly stony grassland, almost flat terrain on top of rounded mountain ridge; open, humid, windswept place, full sun; exposed to direct rain; elevation 1.380 m (4.500 feet), average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 4-6 deg C, alpine phytogeographical region. - Substratum: soil. - Comments: This early spring flower is very common in Slovenia. On some places in light woods it reaches almost 100% ground coverage with thousands and thousands of flowers, a really wonderful display after winter. One can find it from low level plains up to almost subalpine elevations; however it always requires quite moist ground. Anemone nemorosa grows in Europe only. Beautiful but poisonous plant! - Ref.: (1) M.A. Fischer, W. Adler, K. Oswald, Exkursionsflora Oesterreich Liechtenstein, Suedtirol, LO Landesmuseen, Linz, Austria (2005), p 310. (2) A. Martinči et all., Mala Flora Slovenije, Tehnična Zaloba Slovenije (2007), p 133. (3) H. Haeupler, T. Muer, Bildatlas der Farn- und Bluetenpflazen Deutschlands, Ulmer (2000), p 61. (4) K.Lauber and G.Wagner, Flora Helvetica, 5. Auflage, Haupt (2012), p 112.