Fauna and flora of our mountains

Fauna and flora of the Orres mountains

CONTENTS

Flora

Wildlife

Key figures

©LesOrres

Les Orres offers an exceptional diversity of plant and animal species. The resort recognizes the inestimable value of this biodiversity, and has implemented various actions to minimize its impact on the environment. The priority is to preserve habitats and ensure that human activities are compatible with ecological balances.

Avoid picking the flowers you come across. Some are protected and much better off in their natural habitat.

The flora of Les Orres, a natural heritage of great diversity

The meadows and rocky mountain slopes are home to typical mountain flora. Protected, the plants flourish at high altitude. From vibrant to subtle colors, discreet mosses to imposing trees, it's a whole ecosystem to explore and respect.

Be careful not to pick anything!

©LesOrres

THE WILD HOUSELEEK

At the arrival point of the Pousterle chairlift and at the Portette ski lift, you'll have the chance to discover the araneuse houseleek. This bright pink rock flower blooms from July to August.

Measuring 1 to 2 cm in diameter, they are often grouped in spikes at the end of short stems, with star-shaped petals.

SPRING GENTIAN

Spring gentian, 4 to 10 cm high, is found on the southern edge of the Pic du Boussolenc.

This blue gentian is the first to flower in the season, and can be seen between March and August at altitudes of 800m to 2500m.

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MOUNTAIN CENTAURY

Also known as the mountain cornflower, this perennial flower can be seen in the alpine meadows of Les Orres.

Mountain knapweed is a solitary flower that blooms in spring and summer, with colors ranging from blue to violet and pink.

ALPINE PANSY

You can admire the Alpine pansy around Lac de Sainte Marguerite, where you'll find it in a variety of colors: violet, yellow or white.

Alpine pansy is a perennial flower that blooms blooms shortly after the snow melts, between April and October.

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SILENE ACAULE

Silene acaule is a creeping perennial found near Lac de Sainte Marguerite.

It flowers from June to August and its colors vary from pink to white.

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THE LARCH

A member of the Pinaceae family, the larch is the mythical tree of the Hautes Alpes. This exceptional conifer is the only one to lose its needles in autumn and winter.

The Les Orres forest covers over 3,000 hectares of larch, of which 1,000 hectares are managed by the ONF, a sustainable forest management organization with PEFC certification.

The wildlife of Les Orres, an ecosystem rich in wildlife

THE LYRE TETRAS

Also known as the cock of the heather, this bird is a symbol of the Alps. It lives in Les Orres, near the Col de Terre Rouge, where every year between June and July, this area becomes protected during their nesting season.

THE GRIFFON VULTURE

The griffon vulture is a scavenging bird of prey found in Les Orres during the summer season. Close to Boussolenc, it nests in the rocky cliffs.

The griffon vulture population almost disappeared in France due to poaching. Today, it is one of Europe's most endangered species.

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THE MARMOT

The marmot is a rodent that lives in mountain pastures and scree slopes. When hiking in Les Orres, you'll be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them not far from their burrows, and you'll also hear them calling out: they warn each other of danger.

With the onset of winter , marmots hibernate in their burrows from October to April.

Key figures

©LesOrres

Les Orres is :

3000 hectares of larch forest
53 species of mountain flowers
Protected animal species: black grouse, griffon vultures...
50 pylons removed to preserve nature

The diverse vegetation of Les Orres :

43.4% open spaces with little vegetation
27.4% forest
22.5% shrub or herbaceous vegetation
3.9% meadows
1.5% agricultural areas
1.2% urbanized areas

©LesOrres