Wildflower of the valley
Feathery Saussurea
Saussurea piptathera
- How easy to find
- Very rare — you need to search for it — local knowledge helps
- Flower size
- Medium
- Family
- Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
- Type
- Herb
- Height
- 1 m
- Flower colour
- red
- Flowering
- July to September
About Feathery Saussurea
Saussurea piptathera is a herb of 1 m tall. Leaves are oblong or ovate-oblong. Sharply toothed along the margins. Heads are densely crowded corymbs. The specific name Pipththera refers to falling of flowers along with the stalks.
Where to find it
- In the deeper parts of the valley
- Around Hemkund Sahib
Habitat
Grassy slopes
What the name means
Saussurea: honours H.-B. de Saussure; piptathera means "with falling awns" (Greek piptein = to fall, ather = awn).
