A paradigm in the debate on the origin of alpine plants is the correspondence between present-day hot spots of plant species and presumed nunatak or peripheral refugial regions. In order to question this correspondence, I analyzed numbers of plant species in the Alps with respect to different species groups. Distribution patterns were compared to the only existing map of Alpine hot spots early proposed by Christ (1879). Often cited hot spots such as the Monte Rosa region and the l:pper Engadine could be confirmed to be rich in alpine plants. A large region encompassing the Glarner Alps and the Alps of the Rhine valleys proofed to be extraordinary species-rich, too. The importance of substrate to explain old and new richness features was highlighted by analyzing Alpine endemics grouped into calcifogcs and calcicoles. Results open new questions on generalities of alpine plant diversity and the threat of climate warming.