Switzerland

May-July 2014

Part 3 : Valais/Wallis

In spring, the alpine meadows of Switzerland are carpeted with a beautiful displays of wildflowers. Some, such as the meadow shown above, contain a bewildering variety of species providing a patchwork of every imaginable colour, while others are often dominated by a single species, as illustrated by the 3 photos below.

alpine meadow covered with Bird's-eye Primrose (Primula farinosa)

alpine meadow covered with Rock Cinquefoil (Potentilla rubestris)

Dandelion-covered alpine meadow

The photos below illustrate just a tiny fraction of the variety of wildflowers that can be found in the meadows and woodlands of the Swiss canton of Valais during early June.

Leafless-stemmed Globularia (Globularia nudicaulis)

Alpine Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla alpina alpina)

Valeriana tripteris

Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis)

Oxlip (Primula elatior)

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)

Greater Burnet Saxifrage (Pimpinella major)

Leafy Lousewort (Pedicularia foliosa)

Round-leaved Saxifrage (Saxifraga rotundifolia)

Leafless-stemmed Globularia (Globularia nudicaulis)

Yellow Wood Violet (Viola biflora)

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)

Perrenial Cornflower (Centaurea montana)

Globeflower (Trollius europaeus)

Centrotus cornatus (below left) is one of only 3 species of Treehopper to occur in Europe.

Centrotus cornatus (Membracidae)

Lygaeus equestris bugs feeding on Swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria) flowers

 

Switzerland pt.2

Switzerland pt.4