Dolomites - nature

Lago Lambino nr Madonna di Campiglio

Lago Ritorto nr Madonna di Campiglio

yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdelon)

alpine clematis (Clematis alpina)

shrubby milkwort (Polygala chamaebuxus)

alpine snowbell (Soldanella alpina)

St Bruno's lily (Paradisea liliastrum)

alpine Pasque flower (Pulsatilla alpina ssp sulphurea)

trumpet gentian (Gentiana dinarica)

mountain avens (Dryas octopetala)

(alpine rockrose) Helianthemum oelandicum)

alpine Pasque flower (Pulsatilla alpina) with soldanella

alpine Pasque flower (Pulsatilla alpina ssp sulphurea)

globeflower (Trollius europaeus)

Appenine pennycress (Thlaspi stylosum)

narcissus-flowered anemone (Anemone narcissiflora)

alpine toadflax (Linaria alpina)

least snowbell (Soldanella pusilla)

Apennine primula (Primula apennina)

king of the alps (Eritrichium nanum)

THE DOLOMITES

The Dolomites stretching across the far north of Italy are spectacular by any standard. These are ‘real’ mountains with jagged crags and soaring spires - the kind we all drew as children.

It is hard to accept, when gazing at peaks some 3000m and more above sea level, that they began beneath the sea millions of years ago. The mountains are comprised mainly of ‘dolomite’ a calcium-magnesium carbonate that hosts a rich and varied flora with many endemics. Additionally, in some parts such as the Adamello, there are huge granite peaks and these are associated with a very different acid-loving flora – primulas, in particular.

The Dolomites have an almost legendary status amongst lovers of wild flowers and the accomapnying page is just a selection of those we see on our trips to the region. In winter this is an area beloved of winter sports enthusiasts which means that there is a network of chair lifts to whisk you to the heights in summer where the flowers abound.

HIDDEN WORLDS