Flora and fauna of the Carpathians

Who lives in the Carpathians and what grows here — from the brown bear and the Carpathian newt to the white pasqueflower, bilberries and the porcini. For every species: photos from the Carpathians, where and at what altitude to look, when it is seen most often, what is protected and what to watch out for.

Large thymeThymus pulegioidesLow fragrant mats with pink-purple flowers on sunny slopes and polonynas. Blooms from June to August.

EdibleBilberryVaccinium myrtillusThe main berry of the Carpathians: a low bush with blue-black berries that stain fingers. Ripe from July to August, in the polonynas until September.

EdibleLingonberryVaccinium vitis-idaeaAn evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and tart red berries. It grows in spruce forests and on polonynas, ripening in August–September.

Red Data Book of UkraineFire salamanderSalamandra salamandraThe black salamander with yellow spots emerges in the beech forests of the Carpathians after rain. It is a vulnerable species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

PoisonousRed Data Book of UkraineAlpine pasqueflowerPulsatilla albaWhite fluffy flowers that bloom on the polonynas of Chornohora right after the snow. A rare species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineHeuffel's crocusCrocus heuffelianusPurple spring carpets on mountain meadows, just after the snow melts. It blooms from March to May, in the high mountains — until June.

Red Data Book of UkraineCarpathian newtLissotriton montandoniAn endemic of the Carpathians: a small newt with an orange belly lives only in these mountains. A vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineRoserootRhodiola roseaA succulent plant of high mountain rocks with yellow inflorescences and a rhizome that smells like a rose. Red Data Book of Ukraine: collecting is prohibited.

Red Data Book of UkraineBrown bearUrsus arctosThe largest predator of the Carpathians. In Ukraine, it permanently lives only in the Carpathians; listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine as a vulnerable species.

Red Data Book of UkraineIn season nowGolden eagleAquila chrysaetosThe largest eagle of the Carpathians. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, only 10–15 pairs nest — a vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineCarpathian bellflowerCampanula carpaticaLarge blue bells on limestone cliffs — an endemic of the Carpathians. It blooms in June — July; listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineLady's-slipper orchidCypripedium calceolusThe largest wild orchid in Europe with a yellow 'slipper' and purple petals. It blooms in May – June; strictly protected.

Red Data Book of UkraineWestern capercaillieTetrao urogallusThe largest forest bird of the Carpathians, whose spring display is one of the wonders of the mountain forest. A disappearing species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineIn season nowEurasian lynxLynx lynxThe largest cat of the Carpathians, a secretive hunter of old forests. Listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine as a vulnerable species.

Red Data Book of UkraineSwiss stone pinePinus cembraThe Carpathian 'cedar': five soft needles in a bundle and cones with nuts. It grows near the tree line in the Gorgany; a vulnerable species listed in the Red Book.

In season nowGrey wolfCanis lupusA large predator of the Carpathian forests that lives in family packs. It avoids humans; in Ukraine, it is not listed in the Red Book.

Deadly poisonousRed Data Book of UkraineDeadly nightshadeAtropa belladonnaTall grass of beech forests with shiny black berries in a star-shaped calyx. Deadly poisonous; listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

PoisonousFly agaricAmanita muscariaThe red cap with white flakes is the most famous poisonous mushroom. Common in spruce and birch forests of the Carpathians from July to October.

Venomous snakeCommon European adderVipera berusThe only venomous snake in the Ukrainian Carpathians. A bite is rarely fatal but requires medical attention: call 103 or 112.

EdiblePorciniBoletus edulisThe most sought-after mushroom of the Carpathian forests: brown cap, light tubes, and a thick stem with a light mesh. Season - from June to October.