Silene Dinarica

Came across this pretty flower a couple of days ago during my latest trip in the mountains. Has taken me a while to identify it. Turns out it is a species endemic to Romania, called Silene dinarica in Latin, Iarba roșioară in Romanian. Forms dense cushions, has creeping green leaves and purple flowers. A rare and vulnerable species growing in the Făgăraș Mountains.

Rhododendron myrtifolium in bloom

June is when the mountains here turn purple-pink. The Rhododendron myrtifolium blooms. Isolated in the Central European mountain ranges, this creeping shrub is found in the Carpathian and Balkan mountains between 1500 and 2400 meters. It can form large stands in the alpine heats. I gathered some flowers for tea yesterday, first time in over 10 years.