Almrausch – intoxicated in the Alps

Rhododendron ferrugineum – to me the flower that epitomises summer in the Alps.  It is poisonous and in the old days it was used for pain relief. Its colloquial name, Almrausch, indicates that it produces a drunk-like state if not worse. It is said that even honey made from its flowers retains the toxic characteristics.

When fully out in flower, these steep slopes of silicate scree are tinged in a red hue. The plants next to my two guides on this hike were a few days short of flowering.

1 Comment on "Almrausch – intoxicated in the Alps"

  1. Ann-Heather White | August 21, 2018 at 00:22 |

    Good to see you were over there in July. A long, hot Summer everywhere. How far did you hike? Have started yoga. A lot of wonderful stretching.
    love
    A-H X

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