Mountain Avens

John Cousins (May)

In the Alps there is a plant called the âÂ.Â.King of the AlpsâÂ.Â. and in my eyes this beautiful Mountain Avens deserves at least âÂ.Â.Queen of OgwenâÂ.Â..
ItâÂ.Â.s Latin title, Dryas Octopetula gives a clue to identification as it has eight petals as well as very distinctive miniature oak-shaped leaves. These plants were at 700m in the Glyders and I havenâÂ.Â.t seen them anywhere else so it always feels like a rare treat to see the old queen!