BD #759 Alpine forget-me-not (fr: Myosotis alpestre)

BD #759 Alpine forget-me-not (fr: Myosotis alpestre)

Myosotis alpestris is another high altitude plant adopted by gardeners, with many cultivars available in your local seed supplier. The genus was named by Linnaeus for the leaves (greek myos+otis = mouse’s ear). That’s a little surprising given that the common name forget-me-not has been used most languages (Vergissmeinnicht,  nomeolvides, nontiscordardimé, niezapominajki,, vergeet-mij-nietje, ne-m'oubliez-pas, …) since Medieval times.[Wikipedia] Even Chinese uses 勿忘我 (don’t-forget-me) or 勿忘草 (don’t-forget-grass), which was borrowed by Japanese and Korean.[Wiktionary]

2023-07-11 Pointe d'Emy, Montricher-Albanne, France

RBD #760 Alpine toadflax (fr: Linaire des Alpes)

RBD #760 Alpine toadflax (fr: Linaire des Alpes)

Linaria alpina: From latin linum because the leaves of toadflax resemble those of flax. The relation to toads in the name is not clear,[1] but seems to be unique to English. This is yet another alpine plant adapted for rock gardens. It was already present in England by 1570,[2] well before the gardening craze of the 1800s. I’m surprised that alpine plants need protection from frost in the English countryside; they don’t have the blanket of snow for insulation that they have in their native Alps. 

2023-07-11 Pointe d'Emy, Montricher-Albanne, France

[1] https://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/pal/why-is-linaria-called-toadflax [2] Gorer, R., & Harvey, J. H. (1979). Early Rockeries and Alpine Plants. Garden History, 7(2), 69. DOI:10.2307/1586606

RBD #761 Glacier crowfoot (fr: la renoncule des glaciers)

RBD #761 Glacier crowfoot (fr: la renoncule des glaciers)

Surviving off the tears of dying glaciers, Ranunculus glacialis is not just cold tolerant, but heat intolerant. These alpine buttercups need the steady moist coolness provided by extended snow melt to keep their roots cool and maintain carbon balance.[1] Because the growing season is short, they are adapted to pushing out leaves quickly as soon as it warms. But they have no “off switch”, so when it warms too much they exhaust their stored carbon. Other alpine Ranunculus species (e.g., R. pygmaeus) control their respiration, allowing them to survive in warmer soil.

2023-07-11 Pointe d'Emy, Montricher-Albanne, France

[1] Cooper, E. J. (2004). Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Thermal Acclimation of Root Respiration in Arctic *Ranunculus*. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 36(3), 308–313. DOI:10.1657/1523-0430(2004)036[0308:OOSOO

RBD #762 European globe flower (fr: Trolle d’Europe)

RBD #762 European globe flower (fr: Trolle d’Europe)

Trollius europaeus, from Old German Trol meaning “globe”, because the flower never opens. The pollination economics are unusual in that service is rewarded with both nectar and seeds.[DOI:10.1007/BF00377197] Flies of the genus Chiastocheta, squeeze between the petals to find a comfy little room inside. Males zip from flower to flower hoping to find a mate, but it seems that oviposition (egg laying) is the primary pollination method.* Because the larvae grow by eating seeds the female is careful to lay one or sometimes two eggs per flower, depositing a little pollen along with each egg  (C. rotundiventris). Seed set rate is relatively stable up to about 10 eggs per flower (C. trollii, C. inermella), with more eggs leading to more pollination. Of course there are cheaters who pick the largest flowers with the most seeds and ignore the existing load (C. dentifera), in one case leading to 83 eggs on a single flower. Somehow systems survive such abuse (up until they don’t).

2023-07-11 Pointe d'Emy, Montricher-Albanne, France

* 25% of flowers were pollinated without eggs present, so males must have some effect

RBD #763 Purple emperor (fr: Le grand mars changeant)

RBD #763 Purple emperor (fr: Le grand mars changeant)

Apatura iris(?), a butterfly which feeds on the honeydew secreted by aphids in deciduous forests (el. 1350-1600m) found itself high in the mountains near Pointe d’Emy (2750m). Unfortunately it didn’t pose for photos, so I can’t show its vibrant blue diffraction grating on top of pigmented brown scales.[DOI:10.1002/jemt.22021] Why did the butterfly climb the ridge? Perhaps like us it was out for some exercise and enjoying the view of the Aiguilles d’Arves in the distance. These sandstone peaks were laid down 35 MYA along deep underwater valleys formed by the nascent Alps. Called turbidite, a great river carried clay, silt, sand and gravel into the remnants of the Tethys Sea, settling out in finer and finer grain sizes as it flowed. Further movement pushed the entire seabed up into the jagged mountains we see today, 3500 m above sea level.[1]

2023-07-11 Pointe d'Emy, Montricher-Albanne, France

[1] Rob Butler (2023) The Annot Sandstone Part 1 and Part 2. [YouTube videos]

RBD #764 Chimney sweeper (fr: Ramoneur)

RBD #764 Chimney sweeper (fr: Ramoneur)

An Odezia atrata moth “puddling” on my arm. With a diet of plant sap as a caterpillar and nectar as an adult, essential minerals such as sodium and nitrogen are hard to come by. Where there are high concentrations such as wet mud, dung, carrion or sweat then you may get a dozen butterflies or moths crowding around to get suck up what they need. Apparently it’s a guy thing; they get a little more energy for flight and they transfer extra nutrients during copulation, though that doesn’t seem to help them with the ladies. [DOI:10.1093/aesa/saaf007]

2023-07-10 La Plagnel, Montricher-Albanne, France

RBD #765 Mazarine blue (fr: Azuré des anthyllides)

RBD #765 Mazarine blue (fr: Azuré des anthyllides)

More puddling, this time by Cyaniris semiargus [Polyommatinae] (from Greek “Blue rainbow half-Argus [Many-eyed]”). The species name semiargus presumably refers to Argus Panoptes (“All-seeing”), the 100-eyed giant set by Hera to guard the nymph Io from the wandering attention of Zeus.[Wikipedia] The French name “blue of the kidney vetch” comes from Anthyllis vulgaris, a host plant for the caterpillars. The English name presumably comes from the rich blue of 18th century ceramics from Chelsea and Derby.[encyclopedia.design] It is unclear why this was called Mazarine Blue, though perhaps it was named for the blue on the cover of the Mazarine Bible,[Wikipedia] one of the original bibles printed by Gutenberg, which is located in la Bibliothèque Mazarine[Wikipedia] in Paris. 

2023-07-12 Lac de Pramol, Montricher-Albanne, France

RBD #766 Centaur

RBD #766 Centaur

In the constellation Sagittarius (Latin sagitta+arius = arrow agent, or archer), depicted as centaur with bow drawn, lies Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of our galaxy.[1] With 4 million solar masses it has entire star systems in its orbit.[Wikipedia] For example, S2, a star 14x larger than the sun, has been tracked through its entire 16 year cycle. This is really fast, up to 2.5% the speed of light. In comparison, the dwarf planet Sedna with approximately the same orbit requires more than 11,000 years to complete its cycle.

2023-07-14 Pointe de Chaudannes, Montricher-Albanne, France

[1] Fletcher, S. (2022).  The First Picture of the Black Hole at the Milky Way’s Heart Has Been Revealed. SA Space & Physics 5(3). DOI:[10.1038/scientificamerican062022-D9jmr5UqK6kYZeCOIM0go]

RBD #767 Crocata tinctaria* (fr: Fidonie lutée)

RBD #767 Crocata tinctaria* (fr: Fidonie lutée)

A high altitude geometer moth, this one living at 2400 m. Surviving strong winds and low temperatures is difficult with a large wing surface, so wing length is systematically reduced with altitude.[DOI:10.1111/syen.12633] Females of some species have even lost the ability to fly. This has evolved several times in geometer moths so there must be strong selective pressure, though nothing yet conclusively ties it to elevation.

2023-07-13 Col des Têtes, Montricher-Albanne, France

* Could also be *C. pseudotinctaria*. These two cryptic species are indistinguishable except via genitalia.

RBD #768 Grayling (fr: L’Agreste; male*)

RBD #768 Grayling (fr: L’Agreste; male*)

Hipparchia semele basking in the sun, keeping his engine ready to engage any male interlopers in an aerial dance contest. The male who can sustain the highest climbs and dives controls the territory, and mates with any female who wants it for her eggs.[Wikipedia]

2023-07-12 Petite Albanne, France
* Males have a less jagged black line and more prominent white band across their fore wing. [Gibbons, R. (2024) Hipparchia semele. https://butterfliesoffrance.com]

RBD #769 Common moonwort (fr: Botryche lunaire)

RBD #769 Common moonwort (fr: Botryche lunaire)

Botrychium lunaire (from greek + latin: bunch of grapes in the moon) a bizarre union of mushroom and fern. Living most of its life underground, it receives nutrition directly from mycorrhiza (Greek myco+rhiza = fungus+root), thriving for years without seeing the sun. Even reproduction occurs underground, with sperm swimming through the soil to find an egg (their own or others…they are not picky). When the time is right, they poke their heads above ground, with one stalk letting the wind carry them wherever they may (which can be quite far: the lunaire complex is transcontinental).[DOI:10.1086/710491]

2023-07-11 Pointe d'Emy, Montricher-Albanne, France

See also “Get A Little Moonwort Madness” from the Colorado Native Plant Society.

BD #770 Chrysanthia viridissima (fr: Chrysanthie verte*)

BD #770 Chrysanthia viridissima (fr: Chrysanthie verte*)

Word of the day: xylophagy (Greek xylo+phagy = wood eating, like xylo+phone = wood sound), because the larvae feed on dead wood and dead roots. Like Spanish fly (Lytta vesicatoria), C viridissima produces cantharidin as a copulatory gift** which the female uses to protect her eggs. This is a systemic poison similar to strychnine and cyanide when ingested. Before it kills you, though, it may cause “pelvic engorgement”, hence its use since ancient times as the aphrodisiac “Spanish fly”.[doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.4531]

2023-07-11 Pointe d'Emy, Montricher-Albanne, France

* Also known as le Petit Cycliste à pattes vertes perhaps because of its similarity to le Cycliste émeraude and its over-developed male femora.[Wikipedia]
** The word “gift” means poison in a number of Germanic languages, similar to the English use of “dose” for a gift of medicine.

RBD #772 Darwin wasps (fr: guêpes de Darwin)

RBD #772 Darwin wasps (fr: guêpes de Darwin)

Ichneumonidae[Wikipedia] is a huge family of parasitoid wasps (25,000 described species, >100,000 total). These are endoparasites whose larvae feed off the insides of insects and spiders. The name “Darwin wasps” is a 2019 rebranding to bring attention to Ichneumonid research, based on the quote: “I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent and omnipotent God would have designedly created the Ichneumonidae with the express intention of their feeding within the living bodies of Caterpillars.” – Darwin (1860). Research is ongoing, with over 200 species being described per year. Amongst them may be a future biocontrol agent for an important crop pest.*

2023-07-12 Ruisseau des Moulins, Montricher-Albanne, France

* A link to Tanya’s video of oleander aphids in their defensive dance against Darwin wasps.

RBD #773 Carthusian pink (fr: Œillet des Chartreux)

RBD #773 Carthusian pink (fr: Œillet des Chartreux)

Dianthus carthusianorum grows wild from the north of Spain all the way to Ukraine. Its flowers are edible, though judged least popular of a dozen flowers, just above chicory (Cichorium intybus) but well below wild garlic (Allium ursinum) and peony (Paeonia officianalis).[DOI:10.3390/horticulturae7070166] It keeps for a week at 5°C; dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) should be used immediately. Peony and rose (Rosa canina, R. pendulina) are best for antioxidants.[DOI:10.3390/horticulturae7070166]

2023-07-08 Aéroport Charles de Gaulle, Roissy-en-France, France

RBD #774 Common mallow (fr: la Grande Mauve)

RBD #774 Common mallow (fr: la Grande Mauve)

Malva sylvestris is something of a panacea, used for 5000+ years to treat all sorts of conditions.[doi:10.1155/2021/5548404] Like other mallows it is mucilaginous (from Latin mucus=slimy), so good for making poultices where its antimicrobial and wound healing activities can shine (thank you, rats, for your service, even if it wasn’t voluntary).[doi:10.22038/AJP.2015.4327]  It is also claimed to be a nutritious vegetable, full of antioxidants.[eatweeds.co.uk]

2023-07-08 Aéroport Charles de Gaulle, Roissy-en-France, France

RBD #775 Brown knapweed? (fr: la Centaurée jacée)

RBD #775 Brown knapweed? (fr: la Centaurée jacée)

Another edible, though with distinctly bitter leaves that can be eaten together with the flowers as part of a salad.[wikipedia.fr] The roots can be sucked like licorice for a refreshing sweetness, or transformed into a bitter tonic for anxiety or stomach upset. The latin Centaurea jacea comes from Chiron the Centaur, who is said to have discovered the medicinal properties of knapweeds.

2023-07-09 Les Karellis, France

RBD #776 Perennial cornflower? (fr: Centaurée des montagnes)

RBD #776 Perennial cornflower? (fr: Centaurée des montagnes)

Centaurea montana and its cultivars are popular in the garden, both for people and for bumble bees (not so much for honey bees because their tongues are too short: 6.6 mm rather than 7.8 mm).[doi:10.2478/JAS-2014-0016] Native to the mountains of south and central Europe, it is easy to grow and prone to self-seeding, landing it on the Northwest Invasive Plant Council list of weeds.

2023-07-09 Les Karellis, Montricher-Albanne, France

RBD #777 Yellow Star of Bethleham (fr: Gagée fistuleuse)

RBD #777 Yellow Star of Bethleham (fr: Gagée fistuleuse)

At 2500 mm, this Gagea fragifera was hiding from the wind in a little hollow at the top of the mountain. The Gagea genus is messy with 270 species formed through hybridization and reduplication of the genome. Even within G. fragifera there are specimens with 4-, 5- and 7-fold polyploidy.[doi:10.1007/s00606-008-0102-3] They are pretty bad at sex, with 40% deformed pollen and less than 1% seed set ratio.[1] It could be worse: almost all G. spathacea from Belgium to Kaliningrad are a single clone with 9-fold polyploidy (136 out of 137 specimens).[doi:10.1016/j.flora.2012.03.002] How it managed the leap to Sweden and to the Italian Alps when it is spread only by underground bulbs is a mystery.

2023-07-13 Pointe de Chaudannes, Montricher-Albanne, France

[1] Gargano D, Peruzzi L, Caparelli KF, Cesca G (2007) Preliminary observations on the reproductive strategies in five early-flowering species of Gagea Salisb. (Liliaceae). Bocconea 21:349–358

RBD #778 Catsfoot? (fr: Pied de chat dioïque)

RBD #778 Catsfoot? (fr: Pied de chat dioïque)

Like Howell’s pussytoe (RBD #407) Antennaria dioica is dioecious (Ancient Greek dis+oikos = two houses), with separate male and female plants (along with several intersex variants[DOI:10.1093/genetics/21.3.282] because biology is complicated). They also reproduce asexually, sending out runners to form a loose clonal colony.

2023-07-11 Col de Charroute, Montricher-Albanne, France

RBD #779 Zigzag clover (fr: Trèfle alpestre)

RBD #779 Zigzag clover (fr: Trèfle alpestre)

Despite 7000 potential fodder species in the wild, only 30 of them feed the world.[doi:10.5937/ratpov51-4896] Gene banks focus on cultivars, selected and tuned to current climate and soil conditions, with about 15% of stored seeds coming from wild relatives. Trifolium alpestre is not promising, having relatively low nutritional content and a limited altitude range. Worse, it is high in isoflavones, the plant-based estrogen mimics that lead to sterility, abortions, neonatal mortality and uterine prolapses in sheep.[doi:10.1021/jf00049a020] With 194 mg/100 g in the leaves their concentration is 4x higher than raw soybeans.[Data available (for now) from the USDA Database for the Isoflavone Content of Selected Foods.]

2023-07-09 Lac de Parmol, Montricher-Albanne, France