Our illustration is of a three year old plant opening its first flowers of the spring in early April. The flowers will eventually be held in clusters of two or three at the end of short, 10mm pedicels dividing from the top of peduncles ( flower stems ) about 30mms high above the leaf-cushion. This stem growth takes one or two weeks during which time low temperatures are essential to prevent the stems lengthening excessively and spoiling the balance between flower and foliage. For this reason the plants are usually moved at this stage to an open frame with only a high roof-light fitted to prevent rain damage to the flowers. In the wild the plants would be in strong sunshine during at least part of each day but would experience temperatures close to freezing each night.

The name of this plant is not absolutely certain yet. It is a member of the euvillosae group which includes both A. villosa from the European mountains and A. muscoidea and A. robusta from the Himalaya. Characteristics which stand out clearly in this group of seedlings are the deeply indented petal ends and the wide separation between each lobe. The rosettes are much flatter than in A. villosa and A.robusta but some forms of A.muscoidea are similar. The young flowers have a pink reverse to the petals which is captured in our illustration, but this slowly becomes paler during growth.

Growing these plants together in cultivation will allow a close inspection of their characters throughout the year which may lead to a better understanding of their relationships.

David Mowle