THE ALPINE FLOWERS OF GEORGIA
Maybe not the best way to start, but still... first of all, I have to admit that I am not an expert on flora. Just a few years ago, I could barely distinguish oak from a beech. But over past few years, I found out that identifying trees and flowers can be pretty entertaining. And sometimes necessary, since I have kids who keep asking what is this or that and I do not want to look like an ignoramus whenever we venture outside. So I bought (and did read) a few books, installed some apps and voila, I think I got pretty good undestanding of the basics :)
The purpose of this guide is to help you identify some of the most common alpine flowers you might notice while wandering in the Caucasus (plus some uncommons and rares :)). But before we get to those cute, colorful flowers, I would like to spend a few words on two slightly larger specimens upon which you will keep stumbling all the time.
Caucasian Rhododendron
Caucasian Rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum) is a small bush with meaty leaves, pretty common on alpine meadows at the altitudes from 1500 to 3000m. It tends to spread out rather than grow tall, sending its wooden stalks almost horizontally in all directions. These branches are flexible and bounce back when you step on them. Which means that if there is no trail, the crossing a large rhododendron field is a serious nuisance.
Caucasian rhododendron is also known for large, white flowers. A field of blooming rhododendrons is indeed a sight to behold. But in order to see it, you would have to visit quite early in the season - most rhododendrons bloom in June. Only those at the lowest altitudes bloom in May and those at highest ones around early July.
Blooming rhododendron
Giant Hogweed
Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a robust plant native to the Caucasus region. While it can grow up to the height of 5 meters, it is usually much smaller, up to 3 meters tall. Hogweed is distinguished by huge leaves and by a thick stem branching into clusters of small white flowers.
Hogweed prefers lower altitudes, but it's also pretty common at the bottom of alpine valleys, close to the water. Here, it can be found in dense, 1-2 meters tall "jungles" of non-wooden weeds (botanists call these "tall-forb vegetation"). Under ideal circumstances, you shall be following some trail to get through these, but if not, prepare for some serious bushwhacking. Complicated by the fact that hogweed's sap is phototoxic and can cause ugly burns. When crossing the field of hogweeds, do not break stems or leaves more than necessary and, more importantly - protect your eyes and skin. If you still come into contact with the hogweed's sap, wash the affected spot properly and make sure it won't be exposed to sunlight over the next day.
Some giant hogweeds
Okay, and with this out of the way, let's get to those flowers. I am not going to pretend that this guide is comprehensive - these are just specimens I found and identified during my travels (plus a couple of submissions). If you think that some nice flower deserves to be included, just let me know :)
Big Betony (Betonica Macrantha)
Species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Caucasus, northeastern Turkey, and northwestern Iran. Easily distinguished by its dense clusters of pink to purple flowers, which bloom till the mid of the summer. Since it loves sun and doesn't mind coller temperatures, it can be often found on suny meadows at the altitude of up to 2500m.
Common bistort (Bistorta officinalis)
Another flowering plant native to Europe and northwestern Asia. Sometimes known also snakeroot due to its twisted root shape and the use in traditional medicine. The tea from its roots is used to treat digestive issues (but pls take it the interesting fact, not as an instruction).
Caucasian crane's-bill (Geranium Ibericum)
Herbaceous (non-wooden) plant species in the family Geraniaceae. It is native to Western Asia, including Turkey and the Caucasus. Produces striking, blue or violet flowers.Typically grows on sunny or partially shaded mountain meadows at the altitudes up to 2500m.
Squarrose knapweed (Centaurea Nigrofimbria)
A lesser-known species of knapweed native to the Caucasus. It is recognized by its unique flower heads, often featuring black-tipped bracts and vibrant purple to violet petals. It typically grows in dry, rocky habitats, often at moderate to high altitudes.
Although, in this case, I am not sure about the species. Based on the photo alone, it 100% looks like Centaurea triumfettii. But that one doesn't grow in the Caucasus. After more research, I decided on Centaurea nigrofimbria, but it could be also Centaurea czerkessica or Centaurea tanaitica.
Wide-leaf bellflower (Campanula latifolia)
The plant has broad, ovate leaves (hence the name *latifolia*, meaning "broad-leaved") and striking, bell-shaped flowers that are usually violet-blue and bloom from June to August. It can grow quite tall, reaching heights of 1 to 1.5 meters.Typically found in woodlands, forest edges, and moist meadows.
Milky bellflower (Campanula lactiflora)
A tall, clump-forming perennial that produces clusters of star-shaped, soft lilac to pale blue flowers. Native to the Caucasus region and Turkey, it thrives in moist, well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. It prefers moderate altitudes, up to 2000m, so can be found at subalpine meadows, forest clearings or glassy slopes.
Caucasian lilly (Lilium monadelphum)
A striking species of lily native to the Caucasus region. It has large, trumpet-shaped flowers, pale yellow with purple spots, and recurved petals that give it an exotic appearance. It thrives in subalpine meadows, forest edges, and open woodlands, up to 2500m altitude.
Spring gentian (Gentiana verna)
The rather small alpine plant easily recognizable by its deep-blue, star-shaped flowers. It prefers sunny, limestone-rich meadows and rocky slopes. Grown of altitudes between 1000 and 2500m.
Alpine aster (Aster alpinus)
A hardy perennial (a plant that lives longer than 2 years) native to the mountain regions of Europe and Asia, including the Caucasus. It grows on rocky slopes, alpine meadows, and limestone-rich soils, often at altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000 meters. This plant has daisy-like flowers with lavender to violet petals and a bright yellow center, blooming in late spring to early summer.
Tunic flower (Petrorhagia saxifraga)
Known also as a pink saxifrage A small, flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It has a wiry plant with numerous branching stems, narrow leaves, and pale pink or white flowers growing solitary at the ends of branches. To keep it simple, it looks like a large, green, flowery pillow lying on the rocks.
Golden pasque flower (Pulsatilla aurea)
A striking alpine species native to the mountainous regions of the Estern Europe and the Caucasuss. It grows in alpine meadows and rocky slopes at altitudes up to 2,800 meters. The plant has large, bright golden-yellow flowers with a central tuft of yellow stamens, blooming in late spring to early summer,
Bird's-eye primrose (Primula farinosa)
A delicate alpine and subalpine plant native to Europe and parts of Asia, often found in damp meadows, calcareous fens, and moist grasslands. It typically grows at altitudes up to 2,500 meters. The plant produces charming pink to lilac flowers with a yellow eye and its leaves are covered with a fine white mealy coating, which gives the species its name—farinosa, meaning "floury".
Large-leaved leopard's bane (Doronicum macrophyllum)
This species of doronicum family is native to the Caucasus Mountains, particularly found in alpine and subalpine meadows and rocky slopes between 1,500 and 3,000 meters. It produces large, golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers with broad ray petals and a central yellow disc. The plant is named for its broad, coarse basal leaves ("macrophyllum" -> "large-leaved").
Caucasian pincushion flower (Lobelosia caucasica)
Got its English name because of flower head, which with some imagination truly resembles a pincushion (in Latin, it was named after Tlemish botanish Matthias Lobelius). A perennial flowering plant native to the Caucasus Mountains, growing in alpine meadows, grassy slopes, and rocky habitats at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,800 meters. It produces large, showy, pincushion-like flowers in shades of pale blue, lavender, or white. Often still referred to by its older name, Scabiosa caucasica.
Forked Iris (Iris furcata)
While Caucasus is better-known as a home to Iris iberica, with some luck, you might be able to stumple also upon this beauty. This rather rare iris is a rhizomatous (spreads by its roots), with narrow, sword-like leaves and beautiful bluish-purple flowers that bloom in spring to early summer. This species prefers dry, sunny slopes and rocky habitats up to 1800m
Alpine fritilla (Fritillaria collina)
Another lilly native to the Caucasus region, only much more rare. It typically grows in alpine meadows and rocky slopes, often at high elevations. The plant produces bell-shaped, nodding flowers, usually in shades of yellow to greenish-yellow.
Traunsteinera sphaerica)
A rare and elegant orchid species native to mountain regions of Central and Eastern Europe, including the Alps, Carpathians, and the Caucasus. It is known for a dense, spherical flower head composed of numerous small, pink to purplish flowers. The plant grows in moist alpine meadows and grassy slopes, typically at elevations between 1,000 and 3,000 meters.
