Cerastium alpinum var nevadense

Perennial of the Caryophyllaceae family, this subspecies is endemic to the Spanish Sierra Nevada, where it occupies short grasslands, rocks, and high-altitude scree, above 2,500 meters. It is one of the most remarkable forms of the genus, immediately recognizable by its exceptionally dense pubescence.

It forms small, tight, creeping mats, rarely more than 5 to 8 centimeters in height. The entire plant, stems, leaves, and calyxes, is covered with a very abundant white-silver woolly tomentum, visible on each organ and giving the plant an almost flocked appearance. The leaves are small, oval, entirely submerged in this white wool.

The flowers are pure white, with five deeply notched petals, borne at the top of short stems themselves very hairy. The swollen and tomentose calyxes are particularly ornamental.

In its natural habitat, flowering extends from June to August depending on altitude. In cultivation, it generally blooms from May to July.

It requires perfect drainage, poor and stony soil, full sun exposure. It fears stagnant winter moisture much more than cold. Protection under glass in winter is often recommended in rainy climates.