Plant biology:

Of all the Edelweiss (Edelweiß) varieties and those close relatives in the North American Antennaria family, Leontopodium alpinum is the most beautiful and sought after in the World.

Leontopodium or Lions foot, is originally a plant of the Steppe of Asia. Found there in more than 30 forms, it is well adapted to climatic extremes. Its deep fibrous roots and the felt like covering of its leaves protect it from drought, the ravages of winds and the potentially damaging sun shine.                         

The alpine Edelweiß, which in the German language means noble and white, is found generally at altitudes from 1700 meters to 2700 meters.
Edelweiss prefers calcareous light soils with excellent drainage and southern exposure, where it likes to form herbal mats, growing from 8 cm to 20 cm tall.

Edelweiss flowers are classified as   short lived perennials, which after being picked during a number of growing seasons from the same plant, are unable to propagate by seeding and will disappear from an formerly established area.

Cultural significance:

The Edelweiss flower has since time immemorial been valued as medicine against the ailments of men and their beasts, as powerful Talisman to ward off evil and of course as the "Ultimate Love Charms" of the mountains.

Love struck young men would try to endear themselves by collecting Edelweiss from those hard to access crags and ledges in the High Alpine of Europe.
During these quests many died from falls, or succumbed to exposure, insufficiently prepared for sudden weather changes.

Dozens  perished in just one season!
The danger wrought exercise of collecting such a bouquet proved in those days that the suitor was brave, able-bodied and serious in his intentions. A mixing of flowers and machismo rarely seen in western culture.

That is one of the reasons why men still decorate themselves with this bloom and wear it like a:

Careful Franzl!

"Flower of Emperors and Kings"

It never hurt the "Silver stars" fame to be the favorite alpine flower of Austrian Emperor Franz Josef (1864 to 1916) and that of his beautiful wife's Empress Elizabeth (1837 to 1898) who, fondly nicknamed "Sisi", beloved by all people but had her live shortened by an  Assassin.                                                               

German Kaiser Wilhelm I was a great fan, also King Ludwig II of Bavaria (1864 to 1886) the builder of romantic Neuschwanstein Castle.
The later adored the Edelweiss and was often depicted with the plant.

Protected in the wild.

At the International Conference of Alpine Clubs in Obwalden, Switzerland (1878) in conjunction with the governments of Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, the Edelweiss was protected in a large part of the European Alps.
By that time it had already disappeared along the more popular hiking and climbing routes.