EDELWEISS

Edelweiss is a well-known mountain flower. The plant prefers rocky places at about 1800–3000 m altitude. Leaves and flowers are covered with white hairs and appear woolly. The dense hair appears to be an adaptation to high altitudes, protecting the plant from cold, aridity and ultraviolet radiation. As a scarce short-lived flower found in remote mountain areas, the plant has been used as a symbol for alpinism. The flowers bloom between July and September. Cveti 3v