Pulsatilla alpina ssp. apiifolia (Ranunculaceae)

The two subspecies of Pulsatilla alpina, P. a. ssp. alpina and P. a. ssp. apiifolia, are a classical example of vicarious taxa: The former occurs exclusively on calcareous, the later exclusively on siliceous rock. (2300 m, Swiss Alps)

Pulsatilla alpina
1 - Flowering Pulsatilla alpina ssp. apiifolia in Vaccinium heath.
 1
Pulsatilla alpina
2 - Stem pubescence.
 2
Pulsatilla alpina
3 - Apium-like leaf (hence the scientific epithet apiifolia).
 3
Pulsatilla alpina
4 - Leaf pubescence.
 4
Pulsatilla alpina
5 - Lateral view of flower.
 5
Pulsatilla alpina
6 - Top view of flower.
 6
Pulsatilla alpina
7 - Gynoecium encircled by rings of stamina.
 7
Pulsatilla alpina
8 - Cross section through gynoecium.
 8
Pulsatilla alpina
9 - Lateral view of flower, tepals in front have been removed.
 9
Pulsatilla alpina
10 - Lateral view of flower, all tepals have been removed.
 10
Pulsatilla alpina
11 - Longitudinal section through flower.
 11
Pulsatilla alpina
12 - Withered flower, styli start stretching.
 12
Pulsatilla alpina
13 - Longitudinal section through withered flower.
 13
Captions
  1. Flowering Pulsatilla alpina ssp. apiifolia in Vaccinium heath.
  1. Stem pubescence.
  1. Apium-like leaf (hence the scientific epithet apiifolia).
  1. Leaf pubescence.
  1. Lateral view of flower.
  1. Top view of flower.
  1. Gynoecium encircled by rings of stamina.
  1. Cross section through gynoecium.
  1. Lateral view of flower, tepals in front have been removed.
  1. Lateral view of flower, all tepals have been removed.
  1. Longitudinal section through flower.
  1. Withered flower, styli start stretching.
  1. Longitudinal section through withered flower.