Leuzea rhapontica subsp. heleniifolia

The biological form of Leuzea rhapontica subsp. heleniifolia is hemicryptophyte scapose,[2] as its overwintering buds are situated just below the soil surface and the floral axis is more or less erect with a few leaves.

Scales with acute apex on a flower head

Leuzea rhapontica subsp. heleniifolia reaches on average 50–150 centimetres (20–59 in) in height.[2] The strong, thick, upright stem is quite leafy and hairy and usually has only one inflorescence. The leaves are green, while its underside is white-tomentose.[2] Regarding the morphology of leaf blades, this species is quite polymorphic. The basal leaves are usually lanceolate or elliptical and petiolated.[2] The flower heads are pink to purple, spherical and very large (about 6–10 centimetres (2.4–3.9 in) in diameter).[2] The bracts are brownish and membranous. The flowering period extends from June to August. The flowers are hermaphroditic and are pollinated by insects. The fruits are brown achenes.

This quite rare plant occurs in Italy, France, Switzerland, and Austria.[1][3]

It grows in western Alps in sub-alpine and alpine meadows and stony slopes. This plant prefers calcareous soils, at altitudes from 750 to 2500 meters.[2]

• 
  Plants
• 
  Flower
• 
  Leaves

• Josef Holub - Contribution to the taxonomy and nomenclature of Leuzea DC. and Rhaponticum auct - Folia Geobotanica - Vol. 1 / 1966 - Vol. 46 / 2011

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rhaponticum heleniifolium.

• Schede di Botanica