M. alpestris F.W.Schmidt, Fl. Boem. 3:26 (1794).
subsp. alpestris. Syn: M. sylvatica Ehrh. ex Hoffm. var. alpestris (F.W.Schmidt) DC, Prodr. 10:108 (1846); M. olympica Boiss. var. laxa Boiss., FL Or. 4:237 (1875); M. sylvatica Ehrh. ex Hoffm. subsp. alpestris (F.W.Schmidt) Gams in Hegi, 111. Fl. Mittel-Eur. 5(3):2168 (1927); M. microsepala Vestergren in Ark. Bot. 29A(8):37 (1938). Ic: Bonnier, Fl. Compl. Fr., Suisse et Belg. 8: t. 424 f. 1990b (1926). Figure 12, p. 267.
  Perennial, with short rhizomes and often several rosettes. Stem 5-35 cm, hairy or glabrescent below, patent to adpressed-hairy above. Basal leaves distinctly to indistinctly petiolate, ovate to elliptic, hairy, sometimes glabrescent beneath. Cauline leaves variable, ovate to linear. Pedicels erecto-patent in fruit, not longer than calyx. Fruiting calyx to 7 mm, densely hairy, with or without hooked setae, not deciduous. Limb of corolla rotate, to 8 mm diam., blue. Nutlets to 1.8 mm, broadly ovate to elliptical, black, ± obtuse, with large elliptic attachment scar and distinctly developed lateral grooves. Fl. 4-8. Rocks, slopes, earthy or grassy places, {410-)1000-3500 m.
  Type not indicated.
  Widespread in Turkey. A1(E) Kirklareli: Istranca Da., Demirköy to Iğneada, Kayacık 2! A2(E) Istanbul: Scoumroukeuy (Uskundrukoy), 17 v 1896, Azn.l A2(A) Bursa: Ulu Da., 2100-2400 m, Sorger 68-54-28! A3 Bolu: 26 km W. of Gerede, 1100 m, Sorger 71-2-10! A5 Samsun: Dütman Da., 1600 m, Tobey 210a p.p.! A7 Gümüşane: Karagöl Da., Sint. 1894:7035! A8 Çoruh: Tiryal Da., above Murgul, 2300 m, D. 29942! A9 Kars: Karaurgan to Sarikamiş, Yağmurlu Da., 2200 m, D. 29482! B2 Balikesir: Alaçam, 24 v 1947, Serimi B3 Konya: Sultan Da., above Akşehir, 1800-2000 m, Bornm. 1899:5341! B5 Kayseri: Bakir Da., above Kisge, nr Âkoluk Y., 2600 m, D. 19332! B6 Kayseri: 26 km S. of Pinar-başi, 1800-1900 m, Coode & Jones 1437! B7 Tunceli: Munzur Da. above Ovacik, 2800 m, D. 31279! B8 Erzurum: Tech-Dagh (Palandöken Da.), 1830-2135 m, 1853, Huet! B9 Bitlis: Tatvan to Küçüksu, 1750 m, D. 44308! B10 Kars: Gt.Ararat (Büyük Ağri Da.), 3355 m, 11 viii 1910, B.Post! C2 Antalya: Susuz Da., 1600-2000 m,Sorger 63-35-55! C3 Antalya: Çalbali Da., 2000-2100 m, D. 15274! C5 lçel: Karli Boğaz, 1820 m, Kotschy 13e, 51a! C6 Adana: Amanus mts., Haradj. 256! CIO Hakkari: Sat Da. above Yüksekova, 2900 m, Duncan & Tait 92!
  Distribution of species: W. & C. Europe and probably also Asia & N. America. M. alpertris subsp. alpestris is very variable and has a number of local forms. On the other hand it is greatly influenced by habitat conditions and it is therefore impossible to subdivide it further. Other subspecies occur in the mountains of Europe.