Swiss Mountain Leader

Just a few snaps taken in forest above and around Zinal.

Mezereon (Daphne Mezereum)
perennial shrub, March-April, 40-120cm high

This plant is also known as “tormented throat” as it contains toxins that inflame the throat, even a few berries can cause fatalities and the juice of the berries can cause rashes and blisters. It’s interesting though that wagtails and thrushes can eat the berries without ill-effect and do so spitting out the kernels.

We found these below Zinal which is a typical habitat, the Alpine Snowbell grows up to around 2000m in meadows and pastures.