Aethionema thomasianum

This species is easy to recognise, but is very rare and therefore difficult to find. In Italy, it is present in small sites in Piedmont and the Aosta Valley alone, where it is found exclusively on the orographic right side of Cogne Valley. It is a small creeping plant that has very close, elliptical-shaped leaves that are green-blue in colour. The flowers are united in short raceme inflorescences, which are elongated at fructification; they are light pink in colour with darker streaks. The fruits, which are very characteristic, are roundish silicles with wide wings, that are often tinged with violet.