Austria; Styria, Edelweissboden

[Pauli]

On Wednesdy I went to northern Styria (Hochschwab) with fellow plant enthusiasts to see some special Nigritellas.
It takes about 1,5 hours from the parking space to the Edelweissboden, locally famous for its abundance of Leontopodium alpinum. The place is close to the Green lake, another tourist attraction.
We were greeted bei the Edelweiss as soon as we reached the tree-line.
Dianthus alpinus was also seen quite frequently, but was just beginning to flower

[Pauli]

A little higher up started the Nigritellas:
miniata


widderi

[Pauli]

But the Highlight was N. minor, described from this place, It is really a small plant with cute flowers. On the first picture it is mixed with N. austriaca.



Interesting were also two types of Gymnadenia: a smaller plant in flower at about 1700msm and a very big plant, just starting to flower at 1000m. I have heard, that the species conopsea has been splitted, but I am not yet familiar with these name changes

[Gabriela]

Wow This is incredible!!! Thanks for showing.
Nigritellas are such elusive orchids in the Carpathians; well, other species (nigra and rubra), but they all look the same to me anyway. My favourites

[Maggi Young]

Entrancing orchids - and the view down to the Green Lake  is superb. Thanks, Herbert!