Edelweiss

About the Edelweiss

Growing at 1,500-3,400 meters altitude in the Alps, Carpathians, and Pyrenees. Their white woolly hairs protect against UV radiation and cold at high altitudes. They became famous through The Sound of Music and are a symbol of Alpine culture. They are protected by law in several European countries - picking them in the wild is illegal in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. Their name means noble white in German. They are not actually rare but are threatened by overcollection. They are in the daisy family. The Austrian euro coin features an edelweiss. They symbolize rugged beauty and daring.