Edelweiss in Austria 2025

Leontopodium alpinum, usually called edelweiss is a well-known mountain flower. The plant prefers rocky limestone places at an elevation of about 1800–3000 m above sea level, such as the high craggy outcrops of Zugspitze or Sonnenspitze. It is non-toxic ​and has been used traditionally in folk medicine. It has been used as a symbol for alpinism and as a national symbol of Austria, Switzerland, and Romania. Edelweiss blooms for a short period of time. Thus, the flower is in a great demand while blooming. Lots of visitors of the country like to have the flower as a defining symbol of their trip to the Alps. No wonder Leontopodium has been a protected plant in Austria since 1886.