Appearance
''Pulsatilla alpina'' has deeply divided, hairy leaves. It has more upright flowers than other species of ''Pulsatilla'', which generally have drooping flowers. They are white or, in the case of subsp. ''apiifolia'', yellow. The flowers are produced very early, often opening while still under snow cover. They have prominent yellow stamens. As with all pasqueflowers, the flowers have a silky, hairy texture, and are followed by prominent seedheads which persist on the plant for many weeks.Naming
A number of subspecies are recognised, based largely on the form and hairiness of the leaves. ''P. alpina'' subsp. ''schneebergensis'' is endemic to the easternmost Alps of Austria, and is named after the Schneeberg mountain. It is replaced further west by the widespread taxon ''P. alpina'' subsp. ''alpina''. ''P. alpina'' subsp. ''austroalpina'' is found in the Southern Alps from Switzerland eastwards, most commonly over dolomite. ''P. alpina'' subsp. ''apiifolia'' and ''P. alpina'' subsp. ''alba'' grow over siliceous rock, but are easily distinguished by the flower colour. Further subspecies have been named for local variants in the Cantabrian Mountains and Corsica .References:
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