Carniolan Wallflower

A botanical treasure of the Sopota Valley, above which the castle of the Ostrovrhar family once proudly stood.

• a yellow-flowering plant
• a rare and endangered species
• discovered in the Carniola region by the Slovenian botanist Jurij Dolinar

Erysimum carniolicum – Carniolan Wallflower

In 1826, the botanist Jurij Dolinar discovered a previously unknown yellow-flowering species of wall flower growing in the grassy rock crevices of the Sopota Valley. Dolinar, who originally came from Radeče, named the new species Carniolan Wallflower after his native land of Carniola.

From his description, we learn that the plant is a biennial species. In its first year, it develops only a basal leaf rosette, while in the following year it grows a leafy stem. At the end of June, the stem is crowned with a yellow inflorescence. After flowering, the plant dies, but new plants grow from its seeds the following year. Carniolan Wallflower grows between 10 and 60 centimetres in height and belongs to the cabbage family.

Carniolan Wallflower is Rare and Endangered

Carniolan Wallflower is a rare and endangered plant species. In the Municipality of Radeče, its natural habitats can be found in the Sopota Valley.