Pulsatilla alpina

Taxobox
name = Alpine pasqueflower

---

image_width = 300px
image_caption = "Pulsatilla alpina" subsp. "schneebergensis"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Ranunculales
familia = Ranunculaceae
genus = "Pulsatilla"
species = "P. alpina"
binomial = "Pulsatilla alpina"
binomial_authority = (L.) Delarbre
subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
subdivision =
*"P. a." subsp. "alba"
*"P. a." subsp. "alpina"
*"P. a." subsp. "apiifolia"
*"P. a." subsp. "austroalpina"
*"P. a." subsp. "cantabrica"
*"P. a." subsp. "cyrnea"
*"P. a." subsp. "schneebergensis"

"Pulsatilla alpina", alpine pasqueflower, is an alpine plant found in the mountain ranges of central and southern Europe from central Spain to Croatia. It grows between 1200 m above sea level and 2700 m, and is mildly toxic.

"Pulsatilla alpina" has more upright flowers than other species of "Pulsatilla", which generally have drooping flowers, and they are white or, in the case of subsp. "apiifolia", yellow. The flowers are produced very early, often opening while still under snow cover.

A number of subspecies are recognised, based largely on the form and hairiness of the leaves. "P. alpina" subsp. "schneebergensis" is endemic to the easternmost Northern Calcareous Alps of Austria, and is named after the mountain Schneeberg. It is replaced further west by the widespread taxon "P. alpina" subsp. "alpina". "P. alpina" subsp. "austroalpina" is found in the Southern Calcareous Alps from Switzerland eastwards, most commonly over dolomite. "P. alpina" subsp. "apiifolia" and "P. alpina" subsp. "alba" grow over siliceous rock, but are easily distinguished by the flower colour. Further subspecies have been named for local variants in the Cantabrian Mountains (subsp. "cantabrica") and Corsica (subsp. "cyrnea").