Alpine flower identification — Italy/France I have been using the internet to try to identify alpine flowers photographed in July 2007 on a shortish walk above Chianale (1800 m), in the Italian Valle Varaita (bordering the French maritime alps). I have managed all except the blue/lilac one shown below. It looks a bit like a scabious or perhaps a knapweed, but neither seem to correspond properly. Anyone know? ![Blue alpine flower]( _Group of flowers_ ![Blue alpine flower: close up]( _Close-up with triply split petals indicated by red arrows_

This is not _Jasione montana_ , but _**Phyteuma orbiculare**_ , another member of the family Campanulaceae. Except for the different flowers, Jasione has no leaves on the upper part of the stem. This plant has. And these leaves are toothed and have a heart-shaped base, unlike Jasione. And finally: Phyteuma is resticted to calcarious soils, whereas Jasione prefers non-calcarious soils. ![picture from Wikipedia](

<