Edelweiss

Edelweiss is a scarce, short-lived flower found in remote mountain areas. It prefers rocky limestone places at about 1,800-3,400 metres altitude. Its leaves and flowers are covered with white hairs and appear woolly. The dense hairs appear to protect the plant from cold, aridity, and ultraviolet radiation. The woolly tissue has a sub-micrometer internal structure that contributes to scattering and absorption of near-ultraviolet radiation. It is the national flower of Austria and Switzerland. It is a non-toxic plant.

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Description, names and taxonomy

Flowering stalks grow 3-20 centimetres tall in the wild and up to 40 cm in cultivation. Each bloom consists of five to six small yellow clustered florets. The flowers bloom between July and September. The name edelweiss comes from German and is a compound of edel 'noble' and weiß 'white'. It is called stella alpina in the Italian-speaking Alps and étoile des Alpes in the French Alps. The genus name Leontopodium combines the Greek words for 'lion' and 'foot'. In 2003, Leontopodium alpinum was re-classified as a subspecies of Leontopodium nivale.

Habitat and conservation

Its range is centred on the Alps and extends west to the Pyrenees and east into parts of the Balkans and the Apennines. Populations are typically restricted to exposed calcareous scree and rocky cliffs, often on north-facing slopes. Plants are adapted to high UV, strong winds, wide temperature fluctuations and thin soils. The IUCN considers the species of least concern. Its assessment notes historic population declines in places due to overcollection for souvenirs and horticulture and to local habitat loss. The plant is a protected species in many countries.

Chemistry

The most abundant compounds identified so far are derivatives of quinic acid (chlorogenic acid and di-caffeoylquinic acid) and of glucaric acid (leontopodic acids A and B). The two leontopodic acids are specific to edelweiss and are derivatives of glucaric acid substituted with caffeoyl and 3-hydroxybutanyl groups. They show strong antioxidant potential.

Uses

In traditional medicine, edelweiss was used as a remedy for digestive and respiratory illnesses, as powder, infusion and tincture. The INCI name of one cultivated extract is Leontopodium Alpinum Flower / Leaf Extract.

Symbolism

Edelweiss has been used as a symbol for alpinism, for rugged beauty and purity associated with the Alps and Carpathians. It is also a national symbol of Bulgaria, Slovenia and Italy.