• Alpine pinks are native to an area in Romania and nowhere else.pinks image by Robert Ford from Fotolia.com
  
  There are three distinct floral regions of Romania: the Carpathian Mountains, the Dobrogea region and the Danube delta. Of these regions, the alpine conditions of the Romanian Carpathians have led to a variety of interesting native flora. Bellflowers, globe flowers, yellow gentian, wood violets, asters and rhododendrons can be found throughout the alpine meadows. The Carpathian Mountain area is interesting because it combines rare and protected wildflowers with some of the most common flowers on the planet.
  
  

Alpine Pink

• The alpine pink (Dianthus callizonus) is one of the rarest plants in the world. It is native only to the Piatra Craiului massif area of the southern Carpathian Mountains in Romania. Alpine pinks, sometimes called "King's Rock" pinks, withstand temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit. They grow in full sun or partial shade and prefer well-drained soil. The blossoms grow up to 5 inches and have red or white markings in the center. Researchers at the Institute of Biology in Bucharest have been working on conservation techniques to protect these wild, genetic treasures for future generations.
  
  

Tiger Lily

• The tiger lily (Lilium bulbiferum) is native to the alps of Central Europe and the Carpathian area of Romania as well. This deep-orange lily is so beautiful that in 1957 the Romanian government honored it with a horticultural postage stamp. Tiger lilies are often called orange or fire lilies in Europe. Parts of the tiger lily are edible and the flower buds contribute flavor to salads and egg dishes. When baked, the bulbs are reminiscent of baked potatoes. The lilies do not need any special growing conditions. They grow in poor soils, which helps them to grow wild, not just in Romania but throughout the world.
  
  

Edelweiss

• Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), meaning "noble white," is named for its white star-like blossoms and is right at home on Ceahlau Mountain in the Romanian Carpathians. Edelweiss is comfortable growing in the rocky limestone areas of the alpine regions. The flowers look like they are made of felt because of the wooly texture of the blossoms, which are covered with fine, white hairs. This covering protects the flowers from the cold, arid conditions and high UV rays common to alpine mountainous areas. Romania listed edelweiss as a protected plant in 1933.