Alpine coltsfoot

About

Alpine coltsfoot is a modest yet very characteristic plant of the Carpathians. In Ukraine, it grows only here and is often found: in subalpine meadows, on mountain slopes, in mountain forests, and along stream banks. Overall, the species inhabits the mountains of Southern Central Europe at altitudes of approximately 500–3000 m and prefers moist, humus-rich, mossy soils of coniferous forests, shrubs, and shrubland clearings.

This perennial herb is 10–40 cm tall with a creeping rhizome. The basal leaves are gathered in a rosette and winter under the snow. They are on long petioles, rounded-kidney-shaped, with notched teeth along the edge, small — up to 4 cm in diameter, glabrous and shiny dark green on top, and lighter and hairy underneath. The straight, unbranched hairy stem, often reddish-brown, has several small scales and ends with a single flower head up to 15 mm in diameter with purple flowers. The bracts at the base are hairy and brownish-red.

Alpine coltsfoot blooms shortly after the snow melts: in the Carpathians, it is photographed in bloom in late spring to early summer. As an ornamental plant, it is sometimes grown in alpine gardens.

The name 'coltsfoot' is reminiscent of mother-and-stepmother (Tussilago farfara): both plants belong to the Asteraceae family. However, alpine coltsfoot is much smaller, and its leaves are small, dense, and shiny. The species is not protected, but in the polonynas, as everywhere in national parks, it is better not to pick the plants.

Where in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries

Slovakia · Ukraine · Poland · Romania · Czechia

Mountain ranges

Western Tatras, High Tatras, Low Tatras, Lesser Fatra, Greater Fatra, Żywiec Beskids, Belianske Tatras, Slovak Ore Mountains, Bieszczady, Skorušina Mountains

Altitude belts

Beech forests (600–1200 m) · Conifer forests (1200–1600 m) · Subalpine belt (1600–1900 m) · Alpine belt (above 1900 m)

When to see it

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Look-alikes — how to tell them apart

Protection and rules

Not protected. In reserves and protected areas of national parks, picking plants is prohibited.

FAQ