The Alpine Toad-Flax 



(LINARIA ALPINA} 



THIS beautiful little plant is abundant in all parts of the 

 Alps. It is one of the first to take possession of fresh 

 soil, but disappears rapidly under the stress of competition 

 with other plants. Its numerous winged seeds are carried 

 far and wide by the wind, and take root and grow rapidly 

 on any open space. Hence it is found among the general 

 rocky debris of the mountain- side, on the moraines of 

 glaciers, and on the fresh soil brought down by avalanches, 

 and is most abundant in limestone districts. Its true home 

 is the high Alps and the snow region, and it flourishes best 

 between 5000 and 9000 feet ; but it is often carried down 

 to a much lower level by the rivers, and is even found 

 locally in the plains of Southern Germany. The Alpine 

 Toad-flax is an inhabitant of most of the mountain ranges of 

 Central and Southern Europe, and is thought to have taken 

 origin in the South. It flowers from June till September, and 

 seems to have derived its name from its flax-like foliage. 



From the root stock arise one or more prostrate branches 

 which creep over the rocks and soil, and turn upward at their 

 extremities to terminate in a bunch of the brightly-coloured 

 flowers. The grey-green leaves are narrow and succulent, 

 and are arranged in whorls of four on the stem. The flowers 

 are furnished with a long spur which contains the honey, 



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