Alpine grasslands

Alpine grassland consists of a thick carpet of plants on the gentle slopes of the mountains. It is made up of several grass species and many flowers in season. These flowers are brightly coloured and strongly perfumed to attract many pollinating insects.

Arnica thrives in acid soils. A stem protrudes from a central rosette that hassmall, opposing leaves and a head of golden flowers. This plant is used in herbal medicine to relieve the effects of bruising, rheumatism, insect stings, bites, etc.

 
Arnica
Arnica montana
© PNV / Michel Filliol
 
     
The Black Vanilla Orchid is a small orchid with brownish-red flowers that smells of vanilla. Because of its tuber which is shaped like a hand, it has been given another name: the present year's tuber, white and full is called "the hand of God" while the previous year's tuber, wilted and brown is called "the hand of the devil".
 
The Black Vanilla Orchid
Nigritella rhellicani
© PNV / Michel Delmas