Homogyne Alpina is a plant species that belongs to the Asteraceae family. The spelling of the name is pronounced as "hoh-muh-jin al-pi-na" and is written in IPA as /hɒmədʒaɪn ælpɪnə/. The word "homogyne" is derived from the Greek words "homos," meaning same, and "gyne," meaning female. The species name "alpina" refers to the plant's origin in the Alps. This plant is known for its medicinal properties and is used to treat respiratory ailments, tuberculosis and cough.
Homogyne alpina, commonly known as alpine cudweed, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is a high-altitude alpine species native to the mountainous regions of Europe, particularly found in the Alps and Carpathians.
Homogyne alpina typically grows in rocky or grassy habitats, often on slopes or cliffs, at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 3,000 meters above sea level. It possesses a compact, cushion-like growth habit, with multiple erect stems arising from a basal rosette of leaves. The stems bear small, narrow, green to grayish leaves that are densely covered with woolly hairs, providing protection against extreme weather conditions prevalent in its habitat.
During the summer months, Homogyne alpina produces clusters of tiny, inconspicuous, button-like flowers at the end of each stem. These flowers are usually yellowish or purplish in color and are arranged in dense, spherical heads, known as capitula. Each capitulum comprises numerous individual florets that lack petals but possess tiny tubular disc flowers surrounded by bracts.
Homogyne alpina is adapted to survive in harsh alpine environments, where it plays an important role in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. It is also believed to provide habitat and food sources for various invertebrates and pollinators found in these regions. Additionally, extracts from this plant have been traditionally utilized in herbal medicine for their reported anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The species' conservation status is currently of least concern, although some populations may be vulnerable to habitat destruction due to tourism and climate change.
The word "Homogyne Alpina" is a scientific binomial name used to classify a plant species. It comprises two parts: the genus name "Homogyne" and the species name "Alpina".
The etymology of "Homogyne" comes from the Greek words "homos" meaning "same" and "gyne" meaning "female". This refers to the flowers of the plant, which have only female reproductive parts.
The term "Alpina" refers to the Alps, a famous mountain range in Europe. This suggests that the plant species is found or associated with the alpine regions.