Jacobaea Boissieri

jacobaea boissieri

Jacobaea boissieri is a rare, high-altitude perennial herb endemic to the rugged, snow-swept peaks of southern Spain's Sierra Nevada range. This resilient member of the Asteraceae family has evolved to thrive in some of the most unforgiving alpine environments on the Iberian Peninsula, specifically colonizing dolomitic gravels, scree slopes, and windy mountain crevices. Despite the harsh wind, low temperatures, and intense solar radiation of its home, it puts on a spectacular display of golden-yellow blossoms during the short alpine summer. Its striking silvery foliage represents an incredible adaptation to prevent water loss and reflect excessive ultraviolet light, ensuring its survival where few other plants can cling to life.

Habitat: Found in high-altitude alpine zones, specifically on dolomitic sands, loose limestone screes, and rocky crevices of southern Spain's mountain ranges.

Appearance

This low-growing perennial features a compact, cushion-like growth habit, typically reaching heights of only 5 to 15 centimeters. Its leaves are deeply lobed and covered in a dense, woolly coat of white hairs, giving the entire plant a distinct silvery-gray or frosted appearance. From mid-to-late summer, it produces small, bright yellow daisy-like flower heads clustered at the ends of short, erect stems, creating a brilliant contrast against dark, rocky mountain screes.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusJacobaea

Jacobaea Boissieri

Interesting facts

Despite living in southern Spain, a region famous for hot weather, this plant survives sub-freezing winter temperatures under heavy snow blankets for months.

Its dense, woolly leaf coating works like a miniature greenhouse, trapping a boundary layer of warm, moist air close to the leaf surface to aid survival in freezing winds.

The species name 'boissieri' honors the famous Swiss botanist Pierre Edmond Boissier, who thoroughly explored and documented the unique flora of Spain during the 19th century.

Special abilities

The dense layer of white, woolly hairs covering its leaves reflects intense alpine UV rays and reduces moisture loss from high-altitude winds.

Specialized metabolic pathways allow this plant to thrive in magnesium-rich, nutrient-poor soils that are toxic to most other vegetation.

A tenacious, deep-reaching taproot system secures the plant in loose, shifting gravel slopes and prevents it from being washed away during heavy snowmelts.

Measurements & details

Length: 5-15 cm
Weight: 0.01-0.05 kg
Lifespan: 5-15 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide, and minerals absorbed from high-altitude soils.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Carbon dioxide
Water
Soil minerals

Ecological connections

mutualism

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Pollinated by alpine insects seeking nectar during the brief summer flowering window.

competitor

Nevada Violet

Viola nevadensis

Competes with other specialized alpine endemics for limited moisture and space in dolomitic crevices.

eaten by

Iberian Harvester Ant

Messor barbarus

Seeds are occasionally gathered and consumed by specialized high-altitude foraging ants.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Collections for this object will appear here as more themes are added.

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Jacobaea Boissieri?

The easiest way to identify Jacobaea Boissieri is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Jacobaea Boissieri?

5-15 cm

How much does Jacobaea Boissieri weigh?

0.01-0.05 kg

How long does Jacobaea Boissieri live?

5-15 years

What does Jacobaea Boissieri eat?

As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide, and minerals absorbed from high-altitude soils.

Where is Jacobaea Boissieri usually found?

Found in high-altitude alpine zones, specifically on dolomitic sands, loose limestone screes, and rocky crevices of southern Spain's mountain ranges.