Flora in the Alps – Junipers and Dwarfism

The Italian Val Ferret is one of the wildest and most beautiful parts of the Tour du Mont Blanc and around this time of year larch trees in the valley show their beautiful autumnal colours. However, it doesn’t take much effort to climb high enough and leave the tall trees behind. Above the treeline, bright colours of low alpine vegetation dominate the rugged mountain landscape. Resulting in a wonderful mixture of red autumnal leaves of blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) and green needles of dwarf junipers (Juniperus communis ssp. Alpina).

A useful strategy

While junipers can grow up to ten meters high in lower regions, in the alpine the dwarf version of this conifer never grows higher than 30 centimeters. After all, above treeline it has limited growth potential due to the frequently occurring low temperatures, but staying small is also a brilliant strategy to survive at these altitudes.

Being so small has great advantages in the cold and rough mountain environment;

• staying small is a way to protect yourself from dehydration, because small leaves help prevent evaporation of precious moisture
• staying low to the ground – preferably behind a rock or in a dimple – works as a protection against the harmful effects of the wind
• dwarfs can capture warmth, for example by hugging a warm rock
• in winter dwarfs in the high mountains usually disappear underneath a thick layer of snow. The snow provides insulation and protects the plant against strong winds.
  

  

A common phenomenon

Not only junipers stay close to the ground in the (sub)alpine zone. Most alpine plants keep a low profile, it seems to be the best way to face the elements and survive at high altitudes. No wonder that dwarfism is a common phenomenon in alpine plant populations.

More about alpine plants and their adaptations to high altitude

Flora in the Alps – Adaptations to High Altitude

The Incredible Houseleek (September 14, 2019)

Edelweiss – The Symbol of the Alps (Sep 26, 2018)

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Simone van Velzen

In her work as an alpine naturalist Simone adds an exciting new dimension to your Tour du Mont Blanc trek with insights into the incredibly rich flora and fauna of the Alps. Simone studied Wildlife Management at the Van Hall Institute in the Netherlands. After her studies she left her home country (which is flatter than a pancake) and moved to British Columbia. In the Canadian Rockies, she discovered the astonishing richness of mountain environments. Her passion for mountain nature was born. And when she returned to Europe, she based herself in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the perfect setting for exploring and studying the natural history of mountain environments. As an alpine naturalist she writes for outdoor magazines and leads excursions in the natural world.

If you step into the natural world with Simone, her passion for all living things—wild flowers to lichen, birds to mammals—can’t help but rub off on you. She’s excited to meet you on your Tour du Mont Blanc and share the amazing natural wonders in the Alps.

Latest posts by Simone van Velzen (see all)

• The Alps: A Biodiversity Treasure Trove - December 10, 2020
• Flora in the Alps – Spotlight on the Alpenrose - June 25, 2020
• Tour du Mont Blanc Hightlight: The Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve - May 21, 2020