Carlina acaulis / stemless carline thistle / Silberdistel. Zermatt, the Alps, Switzerland, Europe.

Carlina acaulis (Stemless carline thistle, Dwarf carline thistle, Silver thistle, or Silberdistel) is native to alpine mountains of central and southern Europe. It is a perennial dicotyledonous flowering plant in the Asteraceae / daisy / sunflower family. The flower head appears to grow directly from the ground as it rests directly upon a basal leaf rosette. Photographed in Trift Valley, Zermatt, Pennine/Valais Alps, Switzerland, Europe, on the steep trail below Berggasthaus Trift. Ideal for hiking in a natural setting, Trift is the only Valley in Zermatt free of railways, lifts or ski runs. From Zermatt, hike the scenic Höhbalmen Höhenweg loop via Bergrestaurant Edelweiss, Trift Hut and Zmutt. With delightful views of the Matterhorn, plus many other peaks and glaciers, this strenuous loop accumulates 1200 meters vertically, up and down over 21.6 km (13.4 miles).

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Filename: 16SWIC-793.jpg
Copyright: © Carol Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com
Image Size: 5472x3648 / 3.3MB; http://www.photoseek.com/; Europe Magnoliophyta Plantae Switzerland angiosperms bloom blossom flowers nature plants
Contained in galleries: 2016 Valais, 2016 ALL images SWITZERLAND

Carlina acaulis (Stemless carline thistle, Dwarf carline thistle, Silver thistle, or Silberdistel) is native to alpine mountains of central and southern Europe. It is a perennial dicotyledonous flowering plant in the Asteraceae / daisy / sunflower family. The flower head appears to grow directly from the ground as it rests directly upon a basal leaf rosette. Photographed in Trift Valley, Zermatt, Pennine/Valais Alps, Switzerland, Europe, on the steep trail below Berggasthaus Trift. Ideal for hiking in a natural setting, Trift is the only Valley in Zermatt free of railways, lifts or ski runs. From Zermatt, hike the scenic Höhbalmen Höhenweg loop via Bergrestaurant Edelweiss, Trift Hut and Zmutt. With delightful views of the Matterhorn, plus many other peaks and glaciers, this strenuous loop accumulates 1200 meters vertically, up and down over 21.6 km (13.4 miles).