Wildflower of the valley
Sacred Saussurea
Saussurea simpsoniana
- How easy to find
- Very rare — you need to search for it — local knowledge helps
- Flower size
- Medium to large
- Family
- Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
- Local name
- Yogeshwar
- Type
- Herb
- Height
- 5–12 cm
- Flower colour
- white
- Flowering
- July to October
About Sacred Saussurea
Saussurea simpsoniana is a herb of height 5 to 12 cm long. Its stems are densely covered with white wool. Leaves are too covered with wool and 4 to 10 cm long. Flower heads area with purple florets in a dome shaped inflorescence which is covered by dense white wool. Flower heads are exposed.
Where to find it
- Around Hemkund Sahib
Habitat
At rocky slopes of moraines and boulders.
Uses & folklore
Roots are used for the treating male sterility.
What the name means
Saussurea honours H.-B. de Saussure; simpsoniana honours Sir George Simpson of the Hudson's Bay Company or the collector Simpson.
More photos
Saussurea Simpsoniana is pictured here as part of a scattered floral colony. Its ability to trap heat through dense, fuzzy foliage allows…
