Characteristic Plants Alpine Snowbank These plants are frequently found in this community type. Those with an asterisk State Rank S1 Diagnostics are often diagnostic of this community. Sites occur in protected habitats above Dwarf Shrub Community Description treeline; bilberries are dominant; tundra Alpine bilberry* Dwarf bilberry* Dwarfed alpine shrubs form low dwarf birch, mountain-heath, and/or Moss-plant mats, with herbs interspersed. moss-plant are characteristic. Mountain cranberry Alpine bilberry and/or dwarf Mountain-heath bilberry are dominant, but moss- Similar Types Pale laurel plant and mountain-heath can form Subalpine Heath - Krummholz occurs extensive patches among the bilberry. at lower elevation and lacks the strictly Herb Bunchberry The relatively protected habitat amid alpine species typical of this type. Alpine Azalea otherwise exposed alpine vegetation Dwarf Heath - Graminoid Alpine Ridge Canada mayflower allows some lower elevation is similar (and often adjacent) but lacks proportion of herbaceous species and Common hairgrass* species to exist, including Canada the characteristic snowbank species occurs on seeps, with a well developed Stiff clubmoss mayflower, bunchberry, mountain (moss-plant and mountain-heath), as bryophyte layer. Bryoid wood fern, bluebead lily, large-leaved well as those typical of lower elevations. Awned hair-cap moss goldenrod, and common hairgrass. Diapensia Alpine Ridge can also be Conservation, Wildlife, and Juniper hair-cap moss Bryoids may be locally abundant, and adjacent, but is dominated by diapensia. Management Considerations include hair-cap mosses and red- Alpine Cliff vegetation has a higher The major documented occurrence Associated Rare Plants stemmed moss. of this type in Maine is on Katahdin. Alpine azalea Location Map Hiker impacts to this type appear Alpine bearberry Soil and Site Characteristics minimal, because most of its area is Bearberry willow Sites occupy protected upper away from trails. Monitoring of impacts Bigelow’s sedge mountain slopes above treeline, such where alpine snowbank vegetation Boreal bentgrass as upper cirque walls. Snow lingers occurs near trails could help determine Lapland rosebay here after it has melted from the rest management needs. Mountain-heath of the alpine zone. Northern comandra Bilberry - Mountain Heath Alpine Snowbank Mt. Katahdin is the only known nesting area in the state for the rare American Associated Rare Animals pipit, which utilizes a variety of natural American pipit community types above treeline. Examples on Conservation Distribution Lands You Can Visit Restricted to Maine’s highest mountains • Mt. Katahdin, Baxter State Park (New England - Adirondack Province), – Piscataquis Co. extending west to New Hampshire and along the Appalachians.

Landscape Pattern: Small Patch

Mountain Cranberry, Labrador Tea, and Reindeer Lichens

Maine Natural Areas Program 168 169