An alpine from the French Pyrenees

[hamparstum]

Hello , a friend posted me the uploaded picture. I was unable ti identify it. Could someone suggest a name. It was growing on a trail between Mont Louis and Bolquère. Mont Louis has an elevation of about 1600 m absl.  It looks like a Lamiaceae to me from this far away.Thank you very much. Arturo

[Rick R.]

It looks like an Ajuga species.

[Leucogenes]

Hi Arturo

As I promised you yesterday, I took care of it. I contacted Philippe Chauvet and the answer came this morning...

It's Ajuga pyramidalis.

Phillipe has a very large botanical knowledge and a fantastic alpine garden.  I thanked him on your behalf.

This is another good example of how infinitely valuable this forum is.

Thomas

[hamparstum]

Hi Rick and Thomas, I'm very grateful for your help. It's fascinating to see how each added with a bit of information. I started with Lamiaceae, Rick added the genus: Ajuga and your friend Phillipe gave the species. Finally the Wikipedia confirmed it with its page. In spite of all its shortcomings Internet, is a wonderful tool that makes learning so much easier for all of us, regardless where we are placed. Thank you again. Arturo

[JohnnyD]

................. which wouldn't be half so easy without the SRGC Magic Forum.
JohnnyD

[hamparstum]

Definitely Johnny...one can't ever stop from being grateful...

[Maggi Young]

It is  stories like this which make the  efforts worthwhile!  We are a  fantastic group of plantlovers - sharing info freely around  the world. 

[hamparstum]

Maggi
I'm so happy that you popped in...because your permanent  contribution really permeates the Forum. Just as a side story the original photographer became a new SRGC member a few hours ago...as a result of this particular thread. Thanks again. Arturo

[Maggi Young]

Arturo - your kind words have made a beautiful day even better!  Thank you! 

[ian mcdonald]

A. pyramidalis is a declining species in the UK. Everytime I went to a known site to see it, it had disappeared. I finally tracked it down in 2016. One of the native plants I would like for my garden. I now have seed and am waiting for germination.

[hamparstum]

Ian, I'm seriously considering it myself...specially after all this exchange. Let me know if you are successful with your germination. By the way, I read that there are about 40 species in all. Ajuga reptans does grow in my garden under an English oak just outside my home entrance; however I'm curious about so many other species from temperate areas. Plant lovers like myself need extra lives to try out all there's to share in this large world.

[ian mcdonald]

Arturo, one good thing about the seed exchange is it gives us a chance to grow species which nurseries consider as not garden worthy. My attempts at growing wild flowers are poor due to only about 10% germination rate. I don,t throw pots onto the garden until after three years of non germination.

[hamparstum]

Ian, I'm a happy member of the SRGC: The forum is one reason, the Seedex is one other and a very good dogsbody that keeps everyone happy...Although I live very far away, and doubt that circumstances will allow for me to travel to visit shows, I still enjoy viewing great photographs of exquisitely achieved plants which show the amount of gardening craftsmanship that has come about in the last two centuries (specially in the UK). Keeping wild relatives of garden plants is a way of guaranteeing their survival in nature, specially in these worldwide uncertain times with undeniable climatic change and ever increasing human pressure. Like many of us, I have reached the twilight zone, it keeps me very much alert. Three years waiting for something to perhaps emerge,is not that much... . The trick is keeping three batches of pots waiting, each of a different year. Then hopefully some dear plant will pop up and give us the joy of its existence. thank you for your advice. Arturo