Limestone Woundwort
Stachys alpina
Limestone Woundwort (Stachys alpina) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family, characterized by its distinctive heart-shaped, serrated leaves and spikes of pale yellow to white flowers. This alpine species typically grows 30-60 cm tall and plays an important ecological role as a nectar source for specialized high-altitude pollinators including bees and butterflies.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Lamiales
Family
Lamiaceae
Genus
Stachys
Limestone Woundwort belongs to the family Lamiaceae, order Lamiales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Limestone Woundwort (Stachys alpina) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family, characterized by its distinctive heart-shaped, serrated leaves and spikes of pale yellow to white flowers. This alpine species typically grows 30-60 cm tall and plays an important ecological role as a nectar source for specialized high-altitude pollinators including bees and butterflies.
Limestone Woundwort faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction and fragmentation of its specialized limestone grassland and rocky outcrop environments. The species is particularly vulnerable due to its extremely limited distribution and small population sizes, making it susceptible to local extinctions from human disturbance and natural stochastic events.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Limestone Woundwort inhabits rocky limestone outcrops, scree slopes, and crevices in alpine and subalpine zones, typically at elevations between 1,500-2,800 meters. It requires well-drained, calcium-rich soils and thrives in partially shaded areas among boulder fields and cliff faces where snow persists late into the growing season.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Limestone Woundwort faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction and fragmentation of its specialized limestone grassland and rocky outcrop environments. The species is particularly vulnerable due to its extremely limited distribution and small population sizes, making it susceptible to local extinctions from human disturbance and natural stochastic events.
Agricultural intensification
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Quarrying and mining activities
Small population size and genetic bottlenecks
Climate change impacts on specialized habitat
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Limestone Woundwort (Stachys alpina). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/limestone-woundwort