Alaska Arctic Plant Communities

30. Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia subtype typical

Bioclimate Subzone: D

Floristic Subprovince: Northern Alaska

Substrate Chemistry: Nonacidic

Position along mesotopographic gradient: Snowbed, early-melting

Summary of Habitat: Moist nonacidic early-melting snowbeds in subzone D

Described from:

 

Common plant functional types and species:

Hemiprostrate dwarf shrub: Cassiope tetragona;

Prostrate dwarf shrubs: Dryas integrifolia; Salix reticulata;

Sedge: Carex scirpoidea; Carex bigelowii;

Forb: Pedicularis capitata; Papaver macounii spp. discolor; Bistorta vivipara; Astragalus umbellatus; Parrya nudicaulis;

Moss: Tomentypnum nitens; Hylocomium splendens; Distichium capillaceum; Ditrichum flexicaule; Sanionia uncinatus; Rhytidium rugosum; Hypnum procerrimum;

Lichen: Flavocetraria nivalis; Flavocetraria cucullata; Cetraria islandica; Dactylina arctica; Masonhalea richardsonii;

 

General Comments:

 

Other names from the Alaska literature: