Chamaenerion fleischeri

Chamaenerion fleischeri
	Flowers of Chamaenerion fleischeri
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Onagraceae
Genus:	Chamaenerion
Species:	C. fleischeri
Binomial name
	Chamaenerion fleischeri; ( Hochst.) Fritsch
Synonyms
	List Chamaenerion denticulatum Schur nom. illeg. ; Chamerion fleischeri ; Epilobium crassifolium Lehm. ; Epilobium denticulatum Wenderoth ; Epilobium dodonaei f. stenophyllum Haussknecht ; Epilobium dodonaei f. platyphyllum Haussknecht ; Epilobium dodonaei proles fleischeri (Hochst.) Rouy & E.G.Camus ; Epilobium dodonaei proles fleischeri var. platyphyllum (Hausskn.) Rouy & E.G.Camus ; Epilobium dodonaei proles fleischeri var. stenophyllum (Hausskn.) Rouy & E.G.Camus ; Epilobium dodonaei subsp. fleischeri (Hochst.) Schinz & Thell. ; Epilobium fleischeri Hochst. ; Epilobium rosmarinifolium subsp. fleischeri (Hochst.) Bonnier & Layens ;

Chamaenerion fleischeri, formerly Epilobium fleischeri, commonly known as Alpine willowherb, is a herbaceous perennial plant of the family Onagraceae.

Description

Close-up on a flower of Chamaenerion fleischeri

The biological life-form of Chamaenerion fleischeri is scapose hemicryptophyte,^[4] as its overwintering buds are situated just below the soil surface and the floral axis is more or less erect with a few leaves. This plant reaches on average 10–40 centimetres (3.9–15.7 in) in height. The stem is erect and the leaves are usually glabrous and toothed.^[4] This plant is quite similar to Chamaenerion dodonaei, but that is much taller and has bristly leaves.^[4]

Chamaenerion fleischeri has fragrant flowers with four pointed thin dark purple sepals and four bright pink ovate petals. Flowering occurs from late June to August.^[4]

Distribution

This plant is endemic to the Alps, in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.

Habitat

It grows in clusters on moraines, in glaciers, among piles of stones and in alluvial deposits. It prefers siliceous soils, at an altitude of 600–2,700 metres (2,000–8,900 ft) above sea level.^[4]