Mountain Avens
Errors and corrections gratefully received

Common Name: Mountain Avens
Family: Rose - Rosaceae
Genus: Dryas
Species: octopetala
Date Taken: 02/07/2003
Altitude: 2429m
Area: Western Bernese Alps
Walking Notes: From Iffigenalp to the Wildhorn Hut thence to the Schnidejoch. Descent via Plan des Roses and Rawilpass to Iffigenalp
Location: Taken at the Rawilpass
Flower Notes: Flowers a little like those of Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa) (which is in a differing Family, that of Buttercup) but usually with 8 rather than 6 petals. A short plant up to 10cm tall. Flowers do not droop like those of Wood Anemone but do have many yellow stamens with yellow anthers and pollen. Flowers solitary atop a thin hairy, brownish and woody stem. Leaves shaped like those of Betony (Betonica officinalis), but none are attached to the stem, all around the base at ground level. Oval with well-rounded teeth (crenate). Uppermost surface dark-green and glossy, lower surface light-g