Flora and fauna of the Romanian Carpathians

Found 264 species

264 species of the Romanian Carpathians on karpaty.rocks — with photos, descriptions and a map. Most are in: Tatras (450), Strážov Mountains (374), Slovak Central Mountains (333), Slovak Ore Mountains (294). Use the filters to pick a range or other options; the map shows everything nearby.

🇷🇴 RomaniaClear all
PorciniEdiblePorciniBoletus edulisThe most sought-after mushroom of the Carpathian forests: a brown cap, light tubes, and a thick stem with a light mesh. Season - from June to October.
Grey wolfIn 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.
Golden chanterelleEdibleGolden chanterelleCantharellus cibariusEgg-yellow mushroom with thick folds instead of gills. Grows from June to October in beech and spruce forests.
Eurasian lynxRed 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.
Brown bearRed 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.
Golden eagleRed 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.
BilberryEdibleBilberryVaccinium 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.
Common European adderVenomous snakeCommon European adderVipera berusThe only venomous snake in the Ukrainian Carpathians. A bite is rarely fatal but requires medical attention: call 103 or 112.
Fire salamanderRed 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.
Red deerRed deerCervus elaphusThe largest deer of the Carpathians. In September, its loud roar fills the mountains — the rut of the Red deer.
Western capercaillieRed 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.
European bisonRed Data Book of UkraineEuropean bisonBison bonasusThe largest animal in Europe, reintroduced to the Carpathians. The largest herd in Ukraine is in the Skole Beskids National Nature Park.
Carpathian rhododendronPoisonousRed Data Book of UkraineCarpathian rhododendronRhododendron myrtifoliumThe same 'red ruta' from the song: an evergreen shrub that covers the polonynas with pink-purple flowers in June - July.
Heuffel's crocusRed 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.
Horn of plenty (black trumpet)EdibleIn season nowHorn of plenty (black trumpet)Craterellus cornucopioidesA dark funnel-shaped 'trumpet' in the leaf litter of beech forests. Unremarkable in appearance, but a good edible mushroom that is easy to overlook.
Brown troutBrown troutSalmo truttaThe main fish of cold Carpathian streams. Fishing is prohibited from October 10 to March 1, with a compensation of 7,225 UAH for each fish.
EdelweissRed Data Book of UkraineEdelweissLeontopodium alpinumThe silvery 'star' on limestone cliffs. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, there are only a few small populations; a disappearing species in the Red Book.
GraylingRed Data Book of UkraineGraylingThymallus thymallusA fish of clean mountain rivers with a high dorsal fin resembling a 'flag'. Red Data Book of Ukraine: fishing is prohibited, compensation 14,000 UAH.
Bay boleteEdibleBay boleteImleria badiaA chestnut mushroom of coniferous forests, whose tubes turn blue upon contact. A good edible mushroom; season – from July to November.
Alpine pasqueflowerPoisonousRed 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.
European wildcatRed Data Book of UkraineIn season nowEuropean wildcatFelis silvestrisThe wild ancestor of domestic cats, a secretive inhabitant of the beech and oak forests of the Carpathians. A vulnerable species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.
St John's wortIn season nowSt John's wortHypericum perforatumYellow inflorescences on dry meadows and forest edges; leaves appear to be pierced with a needle. Blooms from June to August; a traditional herb for tea.
European yewDeadly poisonousRed Data Book of UkraineEuropean yewTaxus baccataA long-lived coniferous tree of beech forests with red 'berries'. Mortally poisonous; a vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.
Black woodpeckerIn season nowBlack woodpeckerDryocopus martiusThe largest woodpecker in Europe, black with a red cap. Its large cavities are later inhabited by owls, pigeons, and bats.
Deadly nightshadeDeadly 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.
Funeral bellDeadly poisonousIn season nowFuneral bellGalerina marginataA small brown mushroom on decaying wood with the same toxins as the death cap. A deadly lookalike of the honey fungus.
Wild boarWild boarSus scrofaWild boar is a common inhabitant of the Carpathian forests. A female with piglets can be dangerous: do not approach.
Summer cepEdibleSummer cepBoletus reticulatusThe earliest 'white mushroom': light velvety cap and a net on the entire stem. It grows from May under beeches and oaks, edible.
Spotted nutcrackerIn season nowSpotted nutcrackerNucifraga caryocatactesA brown bird with white spots of the spruce forests that hides thousands of nuts and seeds of the cedar pine — and thus plants the forest.
European stag beetleRed Data Book of UkraineEuropean stag beetleLucanus cervusThe largest beetle in Europe with deer-like 'antlers'. It lives in old oak forests of the Carpathian foothills; a rare species in the Red Book of Ukraine.
Eurasian otterRed Data Book of UkraineEurasian otterLutra lutraA nimble fish hunter that lives in clean Carpathian rivers. A vulnerable species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.
HuchenRed Data Book of UkraineIn season nowHuchenHucho huchoThe largest fish of the mountain rivers of the Carpathians. A disappearing species in the Red Data Book of Ukraine: fishing is prohibited, compensation — 14,000 UAH.
LingonberryEdibleLingonberryVaccinium vitis-idaeaAn evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and tart red berries. It grows in spruce forests and on polonynas, ripening in August–September.
Black storkRed Data Book of UkraineBlack storkCiconia nigraA secretive forest relative of the white stork, feeding in the mountain streams of the Carpathians. A rare species in the Red Book of Ukraine.
Common juniperEdible only after cookingCommon juniperJuniperus communisA prickly coniferous shrub with bluish 'berries'-cones. In the high mountains of the Carpathians, it grows alongside mountain pine in krivolissia.
Sand lizardSand lizardLacerta agilisThe most common lizard of sunny edges and clearings. In spring, males turn green, while females lay eggs in warm soil.