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 débris 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, and are only visited by bees and humble-bees. The common humble-bee has a long enough tongue to reach to the tip of the spur and is the chief agent in the fertilisation of the plant. The orange-yellow spot at the only opening to the flower is equivalent to a notice “this way to the honey.” Should no insect visit a flower self-fertilisation will nevertheless occur and seeds will be produced all the same. A variety of this plant, with flowers of a uniform red-violet colour and without any orange-yellow spot, grows on primary granitic rock. A second and much rarer type has pure yellow blossoms.

The plant is sure to be easily recognised. The prostrate stem, narrow leaves, and entirely closed up flowers that grow together in bunches are some of the more characteristic features.