![]() No.5, Dianthus silvestris, and Gnaphalium leontopodium, (Edelweiss), chromolithograph by Helga von Cramm, with hymn by F. The flowers bloom between July and September. Each bloom consists of five to six small yellow clustered spikelet-florets (5 mm, 3⁄ 16 in) surrounded by fuzzy white 'petals' (technically, bracts) in a double-star formation. Flowering stalks of edelweiss can grow to a size of 3–20 centimetres (1–8 in) in the wild, or, up to 40 cm (16 in) in cultivation. The plant's leaves and flowers are covered with white hairs, and appear woolly (tomentose). alpinum (Cass.) Greuter and Leontopodium nivale subsp. Thus, the alpine edelweiss is currently recognized as being divided into two subspecies, Leontopodium nivale subsp. In 2003, Leontopodium alpinum was re-classified as a subspecies of Leontopodium nivale. Since 1822, Leontopodium has no longer been considered part of the genus Gnaphalium, but classified alongside it as a distinct genus within the tribe Gnaphalieae. The scientific name is a latinisation of the Greek leontopódion, 'lion's paw'. Alternative names include Chatzen-Talpen ('cat's paws'), and the older Wullbluomen ('wool flower', attested in the 16th century). Įdelweiß was one of several regional names for the plant and entered wide usage during the first half of the 19th century, in the context of early Alpine tourism. In the Italian speaking Alps the flower is referred as 'Stella Alpina', while in the French Alps as 'Étoile des Alpes', both names meaning 'Star of the Alps'. In Romania it is known as Floare de colț which means Cliffhanger's flower. The flower's common name derives from the German word ' Edelweiß', which is a compound of edel 'noble' and weiß 'white'. According to folk tradition, giving this flower to a loved one is a promise of dedication. It is a scarce, short-lived flower found in remote mountain areas and has been used as a symbol for alpinism, for rugged beauty and purity associated with the Alps and Carpathians, and as a national symbol, especially of Romania, Austria, Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Switzerland. The dense hair appears to protect the plant from cold, aridity, and ultraviolet radiation. It is non-toxic and has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy against abdominal and respiratory diseases. The plant prefers rocky limestone places at about 1,800–3,000 metres (5,900–9,800 ft) altitude. Leontopodium nivale, commonly called edelweiss (English pronunciation / ˈ eɪ d əl v aɪ s/ ( listen)), is a mountain flower belonging to the daisy or sunflower family Asteraceae. ![]()
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