Eryngium alpinum

Eryngium alpinum (Alpine Sea Holly) is emblematic of european mountain flora, and generally considered one of the prettiest mountain flowers on the continent. Eryngium alpinum can be found on mountains in Austria, Croatia, France, Italy and Switzerland growing in open habitats, be it avalanche corridors or hayfields, above the potholes or on the steep rocky meadows, at altitudes between 1300 and 2500 m. Being the largest flowering member of Sea Holly family, this perennial flowers June-September and is up to 60 cm tall. It bears striking thistlelike steel blue to silvery lavender flowers borne on stout blue stems. Been threatened by human activities, mainly by extensive cutting of flowering stems which are sold as dried bouquets, Eryngium alpinum is now protected all over Europe and is considered vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature)