Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Key Traits:
Canopy structure decouples plant
from temperature of free air; frost tolerant
Distribution:
Global distribution; rare in the
tropics
Example:
Dracophyllum muscoides
, New Zeal-
and Alps
Growth Form:
Cushion
Structure:
Woody plants <1 m tall, occurring
as a dense canopy cushion
Key Traits:
Growth form decouples plant from
free-air temperatures; some species absolutely
frost resistant; internal nutrient cycling
Distribution:
Common but most spectacular
in the Andes and New Zealand
Example:
Azorella compacta
, Andes
Growth Form:
Spiny Cushion
Structure:
<0.5 m tall plants with a spiny
form, more loosely packed than typical cushion
shrubs
Key Traits:
Heat-collecting but open canopy
that decreases overheating
Distribution:
Common in Mediterranean
mountains
Example:
Echinacea
anthylloides
, Sierra
Nevada, Spain
Growth Form:
Woody-based (suffruticose)
Structure:
Shrub-like or creeping canopies
that die back in autumn
Key Traits:
Woody-based plants protected by
winter snow in seasonal climates
Distribution:
Widespread in seasonal climates
Example:
Gypsophila repens
, Alps
Growth Form:
Succulent
Structure:
<0.5 m tall plants occurring as
small, single, or cluster forming plants with
high moisture-storing capacity
Key Traits:
Frost-sensitive plants protected by
dense cover of hairs
Distribution:
Predominantly occur in subtrop-
ical mountains
Example:
Austrocylindropuntia
floccose,
,
Bolivian Andes
Forbs—Nonwoody Flowering Plants (Hemicryptophytes)
Growth Form:
Tall “Megaforbs”
Structure:
>0.5 m (up to 4 m) tall forbs with
leafy stem
Key Traits:
Protected by snow; require nutri-
ent surplus
Distribution:
Predominantly in warm temper-
ate mountains
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