Pontresina and the surrounding area are a veritable treasure trove of rare and beautiful Alpine plants. Both the climate and soil provide the conditions for this rich diversity. Besides a stock of indigenous plants which managed to survive the glacial period, a large number of non-indigenous plants subsequently boosted local plant diversity. New plants migrated into the Engadin from the south, east and north, mingling with the indigenous species.
June sees the Engadin mountain spring bursting into flower with Alpine flora in the most stunning and brightest of colours. Alpine meadows are low in nitrogen and rich in grasses such as yellow oat grass and red fescue, and in flowers such as thistles, arnica (mountain tobacco), centaury, spignel and gentian. The following are some of the better-known Alpine flowers:
The bell-shaped flowers are in bloom from May to August and are usually found on rocky slopes, meadows and fields on chalky ground at altitudes of 1000 m a.s.l. and higher. The gentian is a protected species and may not be picked.