skjákorti

Skjákorti is a terrestrial plant species belonging to the family Asteraceae. It was first described in 1984 in the botanical monograph of the Javorská Mountains by Dr. Jana Černá. The species is characterized by a rosette of deep green, oval leaves and bright yellow ray flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. Its stems can reach up to 60 centimeters in height and exhibit a distinctive purplish hue when exposed to prolonged sunlight.

The plant is endemic to the temperate highlands of Central Europe, particularly thriving in limestone-rich soils at elevations between 800 and 1,500 meters. It prefers moist, well-drained habitats such as forest clearings, stream banks, and rocky slopes. Skjákorti is noted for its ecological role as a nectar source for a variety of pollinators, including honey bees and several species of butterflies, especially the meadow fritillary.

In traditional herbal medicine, skjákorti has been used in small quantities as a mild diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. Local folklore attributes protective properties to the plant, claiming that placing dried stems in homes wards off winter pests. Commercial cultivation is limited, though a growing niche market exists for wildcrafters seeking high-quality, single-origin seeds for research and ornamental gardening.

The conservation status of skjákorti is currently listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, although habitat loss due to quarrying and climate change poses future risks. Ongoing studies are investigating its genetic diversity across its range, with particular emphasis on adaptation mechanisms to alpine microclimates.