The rare beauty blooms

The ice saints are over. The sun is getting warmer day by day. The mountain meadows of the Moosalpregion become greener. Sporadically there are still a few snow shreds. The southern alpine tulip loves this season. That's why we set out with biologist Olivier Putallaz in search of this rare beauty. Our destination: Hohstetten, a small hamlet in Törbel below the Panorama Trail in the direction of Bürchen.

Origin Italy - at home in the Moosalpregion

A few meters below Hohstetten we find what we are looking for. Between the middle and end of May, the southern alpine tulips are in bloom. "Di goldig Chritzmeije bliäjunt", the locals would say. Biologist Olivier Putallaz unpacks his wealth of knowledge. "The Southern Alpine tulip is the only species of tulip that is naturally established in Switzerland. It can be found in a few places in the Upper Valais, but especially often in Törbel." The tulip feels particularly at home between Törbel, the hamlet of Hostetten and Moosalp. The flower lover adds that the tulip has also been spotted on the Alpe Bad.

Biologists assume that the "golden Chritzmeiju" originated in the Mediterranean region, crossed the Alps via the Simplon and then advanced into the next valley, the Mattertal, as well as the Rhone Valley. "However, the Southern Alpine Tulip did not get further because the conditions were not good enough or too big obstacles prevented further advance," explains the biologist. In Törbel, however, the tulip seems to have found its home.

Threat from intensive agriculture?

The people of Törbj appreciate the rare species and want to protect it accordingly. The tulip has almost become a part of the Törbj townscape in spring. However, the continued existence of the tulip is endangered. A look at the history books: field surveys from 1928 show that the tulip was almost widespread at that time. Today it is colonized only in a few isolated places.

What are the reasons for the possible endangerment of the rare Törbj beauty? Biologists suspect that more intensive mountain agriculture is the reason for the decline of the tulip. "Mountain meadows today are fertilized and also mowed several times a year. In addition, mountain meadows are no longer traditionally irrigated, but are sprinkled over large areas," Putallaz explains. In addition, the grazing of alpine pastures with cattle has also changed. Biologists are aware that agriculture is also in a constant state of flux and that farming as it was 50 years ago is no longer possible.

Picking forbidden

But to pass the buck to agriculture would be wrong. Unauthorized picking and digging of the tulip bulb can also harm the 'Chritzmeiju'." Therefore, the biologist appeals to reason and advises amateur gardeners not to pick the rare tulip. "Even though I understand that such a beautiful diva does well in one's flower garden, there is a possibility that unauthorized picking can harm the population."

The people of Törbj want to protect the "goldigu Chritzmeju". A meadow near Hohstetten is protected by Pro Natura. In order to promote the tulip, the mountain meadow is only used gently by the local farmer and is no longer irrigated with sprinklers. In addition, the population can help with the accompaniment of the Valeco office to research the Törbjer tulip and thus promote the continued existence of this rare beauty.