Syn.: Crucifera petrocallis Krause, Draba pyrenaica L., Draba pyrenaea Janka, Draba rubra Crantz, Zizia pyrenaica Roth.
Family: Brassicaceae Burnett

Petrocallis pyrenaica

Distribution: Mountains of Europe – the Pyrenees, Alps, and the Belianske Tatry Mts. (northernmost limit of its distribution).

Ecology: It grows on limestone rocks and sunny screes, in subalpine to alpine zones. It blooms from June to July. Glacial relict.

Petrocallis pyrenaica

Description: Caespitose, often pulvinate perennial herb with a branched stem, 2–8 cm tall. Leaves in compact rosettes, 4–6 mm long, 3–5-lobed. Corymbs few-flowered, petals 4–5 mm, pale lilac or pink, rarely white. The fruit is an obovate to elliptical silicula.

Threat and protection: This species is protected in Slovakia and Germany.

Petrocallis pyrenaica
Petrocallis pyrenaica

These images were taken in Austria, Raxalpe (June 19, 2004).