Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Example:
Rheum nobile
, Himalaya
Growth Form:
Medium-Height Forbs
Structure:
>0.25 m, <0.5 m erect plants with
mostly leaved stems with or without rosettes
Key Traits:
Protected by snow
Distribution:
Seasonal climates, rare in equat-
orial and subtropical mountains
Example:
Phacelia sericea
, Rocky Mountains
Growth Form:
Small Forbs
Structure:
<0.25 m erect stems mostly with
leaves; with or without rosettes; caulescent
(stemmed) or acaulescent (stemless) growth
Key Traits:
Lack frost protection by structural
means
Distribution:
Predominantly in midlatitude
mountains
Example:
Pedicularis oederi
, Holarctic moun-
tains
Growth Form:
Dwarf Forbs
Structure:
<0.08 m; mostly with rosettes,
forming loose clusters; caulescent, some
acaulescent; with or without leaves at stem
Key Traits:
Exploit favorable conditions close
to surface
Distribution:
Upper alpine/nival zone of mid-
latitude, arctic, and boreal mountains
Example:
Draba aizoides
, Alps
Graminoids (Hemicryptophytes)
Growth Form:
Tall
Structure:
0.5 to 2 m tall; occurs as tussocks
with densely packed stems or dense stands
(e.g., bamboo)
Key Traits:
Snow-protected in seasonal cli-
mates
Distribution:
Subtropical to midlatitude
mountains
Example:
Chjonochloa macra
, New Zealand
Yushania niitakayamensis
, Taiwan
Growth Form:
Medium Stature
Structure:
<0.5 m tall; dominant in alpine
meadows; narrow to broad leaved
Key Traits:
Meristem protected by leaves and
leaf sheaths growing in clonal populations with
high longevity (>1,000 years)
Distribution:
Midlatitude mountains
Example:
Astelia alpine
, Australian Alps
Growth Form:
Short Stature
Structure:
<0.10 m tall, forming from turf up
to nival belt where they persist as “eternal”
clonal populations; possess narrow- to broad-
leaves and a creeping or densely packed
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