L. alpinum binomial = Leontopodium alpinum binomial_authority = Cass. (Alexandre de Cassini), 1822

CommonsimagesLeontopodium alpinum Edelweiss (pron-en?e?d?lva?s; Leontopodium alpinum), is one of the best-known European mountain flower (alpine plant)s, belonging to the sunflower family (Asteraceae). The name comes from German (German language) edel (meaning noble) and weiss (meaning white). The scientific name, Leontopodium, means "lions (lion) paw" and is derived from the Greek (Greek language) words leon (lion) and podion (diminutive of pous, foot).

Leaves and flowers are covered with white hairs and appear woolly (tomentose). Flowering stalks of Edelweiss can grow to a size of 3-20 cm (centimetre) (in cultivation, up to 40 cm). Each bloom consisting of five to six small yellow flower heads (5 mm (millimetre)) surrounded by leaflets in star form. The flowers are in bloom between July and September.

The plant is unequally distributed and prefers rocky limestone places at 2000-2900 m altitude. It is not toxic, and has been used traditionally in folk medicine as a remedy against abdominal and respiratory diseases. The dense hair appears to be an adaptation to high altitudes, protecting the plant from cold, aridity and UV (ultraviolet) radiation. Since it usually grows in inaccessible places, it is associated in many countries of the alpine region with mountaineering. Its white colour is considered a symbol of purity, and holds a Latin as well as Romanian name, floarea reginei (Queens flower).

Edelweiss is a protected plant in many countries, including Mongolia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Switzerland, France, Norway, Italy, Malaysia (In Genting and Cameron Highlands), Indonesia (In Semeru Mountain), Germany, Spain (Ordesa National Park), Poland and Slovakia (Tatra National Park), Slovenia (in Gorizia and Gradisca since 1896, in Carniola since 1898), Austria (since 1886) and Romania (since 1933).

Leontopodium alpinum is grown in gardens for its interesting inflorescence and silver foliage, the plants are short lived and can be grown from seed.