The Grands Causses’ flowers
A particular flora has adapted to the dryness of the highlands. Discreet, it wakes up in the spring and amazes us with its fields of poppies, meadow sage and other wild flowers.
The Cardabelle
The Cardabelle, its real name Carline with Acanthes leaves, is a wild plant found in the south of France, around the Mediterranean. This pretty plant from the thistle family has the particularity of capturing the sunlight by opening and protecting itself from humidity by closing. Thus, it served as a barometer for the Causses’ peasants. It is also said to be a lucky charm, and it was common to find it dried, hanging on the door of houses, barns and stables. Edible, its heart was eaten, which tastes close to that of artichoke, while its root was considered as a remedy for many ailments. Today, there is no longer any question of picking it: the plant is protected, so do not take it with you when you come across it.
The pulsatilla anemone
This flower is well recognizable by its dark purple petals and its golden yellow heart. The external face of its petals, as well as its leaves, stem and buttons are hairy. Before hatching, the button is also very hairy, in gray-green colours with small purple touches at its end. It is fond of high limestone soils, so it is found in large numbers on the Grand Causses highlands. Like the cardabelle, it opens in the sun and closes when the weather becomes rainy, but unlike the latter, it is highly toxic. However, its dried petals are sometimes used for their calming and analgesic qualities, in certain doses that are scrupulously controlled.