alpine plants

Any of a number of small plants that live at high altitudes. They are often adapted to dry conditions, and exhibit most of the characteristics of Arctic plants. Their flowers are more brightly coloured than those that grow at lower altitudes, roots are large to provide anchorage and obtain maximum water and nutrients from sparse soil, leaves are frequently hairy to conserve moisture and keep out cold, and plants often exist for long periods covered with snow. Most flowers are self-pollinated, since insects are scarce (though moths and butterflies are found at some high levels), and vegetative reproduction is common.

Typical alpine plants are shrubs and herbaceous plants, most commonly the various saxifrages, the edelweiss, rhododendrons, campions, lady's mantle, violas, and primulas. There is considerable variety among the plants, as some live on damp, others on dry rocky soil. On damp soil plants such as mosses and liverworts abound.