Summer Flowers of the High Alps

Several varieties of House-leek are found in Switzerland. They grow in dry, rocky places, where moisture is scarce and where they are exposed to the fierce heat of the sun. Their succulent leaves, covered by a thick, almost leathery, cuticle, are arranged in rosettes, and serve as storehouses for water. The plants grow slowly and in clusters, and when each one has accumulated sufficient strength it throws up a long central stalk bearing star-like flowers, and dies as the seeds mature. The house-leeks are reproduced not only by means of seeds, but also by runners, which extend outward and bear a small rosette of leaves at their extremities. Some of these can be made out in the photograph. Some of the Saxifrages closely resemble the house-leeks in habit of growth, but are less succulent.

The Mountain House-leek is common all over the Alps between 4000 and 8000 feet, or even higher in certain parts. It seems to grow best on primary granitic rock. The wedge-shaped rosette leaves are covered with short glandular hairs. The rosettes are unfortunately not well seen in the photograph, the leaves that can be made out being mainly those of a species of Primula. From the centre of the rosette the flower stalk arises. It is some 3 to 6 inches long and is covered with succulent leaves with reddish tips. Above it divides into branches which bear the beautiful star-like flowers. The flowers, which appear in July and August, are usually of a pale red colour with a darker central stripe to each petal. A variety with cream-coloured petals is very occasionally found.

The Cobweb House-leek (Sempervivum arachnoideum) is not unlike the plant here photographed, but will be readily distinguished from it by the long white hairs borne at the tips of the rosette leaves, which become interwoven with those of adjoining leaves to form a spider’s-web-like structure. Its flowers are a brighter crimson than those of the Mountain House-leek.