Flora and fauna of the Slovak Carpathians

Found 267 species
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Herb ParisPoisonousHerb ParisParis quadrifoliaA shady forest plant with four leaves and one blue-black berry at the top. Poisonous, especially dangerous for children.
Rosalia longicornRed Data Book of UkraineRosalia longicornRosalia alpinaA blue-gray beetle with black spots and long antennae — a highlight of the old beech forests of the Carpathians. Vulnerable species.
Death capDeadly poisonousDeath capAmanita phalloidesThe most dangerous mushroom in Europe: greenish cap, white gills, ring, and bag-like volva. Deadly poisonous even in small amounts.
RoserootRed 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.
MeadowsweetIn season nowMeadowsweetFilipendula ulmariaTall creamy-white fluffy inflorescences in wet meadows and along stream banks. A strong honey aroma can be sensed from afar.
Mountain pineMountain pinePinus mugoMountain pine is a sprawling pine that forms impenetrable krummholz above the tree line. It is impossible to pass through it off the trail.
Northern chamoisNorthern chamoisRupicapra rupicapraMountain antelope of the Tatra and Romanian Carpathians. The Northern chamois is no longer found in the Ukrainian Carpathians, having been exterminated before the 19th century.
Swiss stone pineRed 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.
Alpine marmotAlpine marmotMarmota marmotaThe Alpine marmot is an endemic species of the Tatra Mountains that warns of danger with its whistle. There is no natural population in the Ukrainian Carpathians.
BarbelRed Data Book of UkraineIn season nowBarbelBarbus barbusA bottom fish with four whiskers that lives in the clean rivers of the Tisza, Prut, and Dniester basins. A vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.
Silver firSilver firAbies albaThe third main tree of the Carpathian forests alongside beech and spruce. The needles are flat with white stripes, and the cones stand upright on the branches.
Common ravenCommon ravenCorvus coraxThe largest passerine bird, whose deep 'caw-caw' echoes over the polonynas and peaks of the Carpathians.
ApolloRed Data Book of UkraineApolloParnassius apolloThe large white butterfly with red 'eyes' is a symbol of mountain nature. It has likely disappeared from the Ukrainian Carpathians.
Rainbow troutRainbow troutOncorhynchus mykissIntroduced from North America, the Rainbow trout is cultivated in trout farms in the Carpathians and offered in paid fishing ponds.
Willow gentianWillow gentianGentiana asclepiadeaThe most common gentian of the Carpathians: arching stems with blue bells in the leaf axils. It blooms in late summer and autumn.
GlobeflowerPoisonousGlobeflowerTrollius europaeusGolden-yellow globular flowers in wet mountain meadows and polonynas. Blooms from May to July; the plant is poisonous.
European robinEuropean robinErithacus rubeculaA small bird with an orange breast that sings at dusk. It nests on the ground in forests and shrubs.
HeatherIn season nowHeatherCalluna vulgarisA low evergreen shrub with lilac flowers that blooms at the end of summer. It grows on acidic poor soils.
Black redstartBlack redstartPhoenicurus ochrurosA dark bird with a reddish tail that lives near cliffs and buildings. It nests in both Carpathian villages and on rocky slopes.
Least weaselIn season nowLeast weaselMustela nivalisThe smallest predator in our region, smaller than a squirrel. It hunts mice and voles right in their burrows.
Eurasian chaffinchEurasian chaffinchFringilla coelebsThe loudest singer of the spring forest: a ringing trill with a 'stroke' at the end. A very numerous bird of forests and gardens.
Common blackbirdCommon blackbirdTurdus merulaA black bird with a yellow beak and a flute-like song. One of the most common thrushes in Ukraine — from villages in the valleys to mountain forests.
Dwarf elder (danewort)PoisonousDwarf elder (danewort)Sambucus ebulusThe poisonous 'herbaceous elder' with an unpleasant smell and black berries in upright inflorescences. It can be easily confused with black elder.
Cauliflower fungusEdibleRed Data Book of UkraineCauliflower fungusSparassis crispaA rare fungus resembling creamy cauliflower, found at the base of coniferous trees. Listed in the Red Book of Ukraine: collecting is prohibited.
Narrow-leaved poet's daffodilPoisonousRed Data Book of UkraineNarrow-leaved poet's daffodilNarcissus poeticusWhite daffodils with a red rim: in May, they cover the Valley of the Daffodils near the city of Khust and the mountain polonynas of the Marmarosy and Świdowiec.
Broad-leaved marsh orchidRed Data Book of UkraineBroad-leaved marsh orchidDactylorhiza majalisA wild orchid of moist mountain meadows with a purple spike and spotted leaves. A species in the Red Data Book of Ukraine — admire it, do not pick it.
BlackthornEdibleIn season nowBlackthornPrunus spinosaA spiny bush that turns white with flowers in spring before the leaves appear. The tart blue-black fruits sweeten after the first frosts.
Great yellow gentianRed Data Book of UkraineGreat yellow gentianGentiana luteaA tall plant of the polonyna with layers of yellow flowers and broad leaves. A disappearing species in the Red Book of Ukraine; has a dangerous lookalike — white hellebore.
Carpathian monkshoodDeadly poisonousCarpathian monkshoodAconitum firmumBlue 'helmets' on tall stems in mountain tall grass. One of the most poisonous plants of the Carpathians; blooms from July to September.
Eurasian beaverIn season nowEurasian beaverCastor fiberThe largest rodent in Europe is returning to the rivers of the Carpathians: its gnawings and dams can be seen in the foothills of Zakarpattia.
Common buzzardCommon buzzardButeo buteoThe most numerous bird of prey in Ukraine. It circles over the polonynas and meadows with a mournful 'ki-ya' and hunts for voles.
Great spotted woodpeckerIn season nowGreat spotted woodpeckerDendrocopos majorA black-and-white woodpecker with a red undertail. In spring, its drumming is the loudest sound in the forest.
Lady's-slipper orchidRed 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.
Eurasian minnowIn season nowEurasian minnowPhoxinus phoxinusA small schooling fish of the cold streams of the Carpathians. During spawning, males don a red attire.
Red foxRed foxVulpes vulpesThe most common predator of the Carpathians: from villages and pastures to polonynas. Do not feed foxes and do not approach them closely.
European larchIn season nowEuropean larchLarix deciduaThe only coniferous species in Ukraine that sheds its needles in autumn. There are very few natural larches in the Ukrainian Carpathians — most are planted.