Alpine rose in bloom in Tyrol – “The mountain is on fire!”

Alongside edelweiss and gentian, the rust-leaved alpine rose – often referred to by locals as the ‘Almrose’ – is arguably one of the best-known native Alpine flowers.

For over three weeks, the blooms of the alpine rose adorn landscapes throughout the Alpine region. In Tyrol, the alpine rose – a plant belonging to the genus Rhododendron (heath family) – blooms from mid-June onwards, depending on snow conditions. Alpine roses grow at altitudes of 1,500 to 2,800 metres, usually above the tree line. As an evergreen shrub, the alpine rose grows up to one metre tall. Its red, pink or fuchsia-coloured flowers are bell-shaped and have five petals.

The undersides of the plant’s leaves initially display yellow-green and later rust-brown glandular scales. The rust-leaved alpine rose (highly poisonous) is often confused with the ciliate alpine rose (possibly poisonous). Both plants belong to the heather family and are very similar at first glance. Unlike the rust-leaved alpine rose, the ciliate alpine rose is found only on calcareous soils. The plants also differ in terms of their leaves. As its name suggests, the ciliate alpine rose has both ciliate and green leaves.

“An old superstition also gave alpine roses the name ‘thunder flower’ in German-speaking regions. It was believed that they attracted lightning and thunder. Therefore, one should not stay near alpine roses during a thunderstorm. Similarly, one should not carry a bouquet of alpine roses with them or keep a bouquet of alpine roses in the house."