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Alpine ID: 15 Plants to Find above Treeline

June 27, 2023 by Angie Hilsman 5 Comments

This post was first written on August 5, 2021 by Angie Hilsman and was updated with additional information on June 27, 2023 by Lily LaRegina.

Bob Popp, retired Vermont State Biologist, points out different alpine plants to caretakers during the 2023 alpine ecology training walk on Mt. Mansfield.
Bob Popp, retired Vermont State Biologist, points out different alpine plants to caretakers during the 2023 alpine ecology training walk on Mt. Mansfield. Photo by Lily LaRegina

State botanist Bob Popp kneels beside a flat rock, just in front of the Mt. Mansfield Visitor Center. He points out mountain cranberry and bluets to a dozen GMC staff — 11 of whom are recently hired seasonal caretakers.

The mountain cranberry and bluets are alpine plants, rare and fragile species that grow above treeline. These plants can take a long time to grow in such an exposed environment, with wind, cold, and ultraviolet rays deterring growth and other vegetation. But they’re especially important; their roots will hold down soil and otherwise curb erosion at these altitudes.

“There are only 13 square miles of alpine zone across New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine,” Bob explains to the caretakers. In Vermont, about 125 acres (0.2 square miles) of alpine zone remain; eight alpine species are classified as either endangered (4) or threatened (4) in Vermont, Bob says.

The caretakers need to know this. Throughout the summer, they live and work along the Long Trail system. Caretakers’ workdays include maintaining campsites and trails, but a lot of their work will focus on protecting fauna and flora, like these alpine plants. They’ll do this with hiker education, or one-on-one conversations meant to involve hikers in trail stewardship.

This can make a world of difference for alpine plants. Much of this vegetation is hardly noticeable, mimicking lawn grass and tucked around rocks. The plants are easily trampled by foot traffic or hindered when soil is compacted by hikers and pets. Caretakers will urge hikers to walk on the rocks to protect these precious plants.

Bob and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Ranger Ken Sturm lead the staff across Mansfield’s ridgeline to learn more about alpine plants. While the orientation is a yearly part of caretaker training, it’s not insider knowledge. Here’s what caretakers learned about alpine plants. Brush up on your ID to become an informed hiker and effective trail steward.

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Azure Bluets

Alpine bluets
Azure bluets. Photo by: Angela Hilsman

These small blue flowers are plentiful in the alpine. They’re not rare at all, says Bob. In fact, bluets can be found in every New England state; they grow in alpine zones and on any open ledges, meadows, or fields.

Alpine Sandwort

Alpine Sandwort
Bob Popp points to a green plant called alpine sandwort. The brown plants are a moss species. Photo by: Angela Hilsman

Alpine sandwort is what’s known as a disturbance colonizer. That means that this alpine plant grows where there is a lot of disturbance, such as foot traffic. You can usually find it tucked underneath rocks along the trail.

You’ll find that identifying plants by their common names can be tricky. This is because such labels can vary by region. The alpine sandwort also goes by the names mountain sandplant and Greenland stitchwort. Scientific names — which include the genus and species — are more accurate because they are used universally. The scientific name for alpine sandwort is Minuartia groenlandica.

Bearberry Willow (Endangered)

Bearberry Willow
Bearberry willow is an endangered species in Vermont. Photos by: Angela Hilsman

Bearberry willow is an endangered species in Vermont, although it is more commonly found in Maine and Canada. This particular bearberry willow plant (pictured) is more than 100 years old, Bob says. “It appears in photos from the early 1900s.”

Bigelow’s Sedge

Bigelow's Sedge
Hailey Lynch points out the Bigelow’s sedge, an alpine plant that looks a lot like lawn grass. Photo by: Angela Hilsman

Bigelow’s sedge is pretty common around the alpine zone. These plants spread by underground stems to form meadows. It also looks a lot like grass. Due to the similarity, this sedge is often unappreciated by trail users; hikers are one if its biggest threats.

Black Crowberry (Rare)

Black crowberry grows on the alpine terrain of the ridgeline of Mt. Mansfield. Photo by Lily LaRegina

Black crowberry gets its name from the dark berries it grows. While the fruits are edible — and enjoyed by dozens of bird species and black bears — they’re not super flavorful. This alpine plant is rare in Vermont, but is not on the threatened species list.

Blueberries

Bob Zaino, Vermont State Ecologist, points out flowering blueberries during an alpine plant ID walk with the 2023 caretakers on the ridgeline of Mt. Mansfield.
Bob Zaino, Vermont State Ecologist, points out flowering blueberries during an alpine plant ID walk with the 2023 caretakers on the ridgeline of Mt. Mansfield. Photo by Lily LaRegina

You may recognize some of your favorite summer fruits up in the alpine, but don’t go picking them all, says Bob. Try a bite, but leave the alpine blueberries, which will ripen by late summer, for all visitors.

Conifers

Bob Popp, retired Vermont State Biologist, uses a hand scope to examine a sprig of black spruce during the 2023 alpine ecology training walk on Mt. Mansfield. Photo by Lily LaRegina
Bob Popp, retired Vermont State Biologist, uses a hand scope to examine a sprig of black spruce during the 2023 alpine ecology training walk on Mt. Mansfield. Photo by Lily LaRegina

There are a few conifer species, or evergreens, that grow in the alpine zone. However, you’ll notice they don’t get as tall as they do below treeline. You may even notice that trees are stunted the higher up the mountain you climb. That’s because they too are fighting against wind exposure, and it takes a lot more energy to grow. Some trees you’ll find in the alpine include:

You may first notice the balsam fir by its scent, but another telltale is the way its flat needles grow straight out of the branch instead of growing out in clusters (like pine needles do). If you were to hold the branch horizontally in front of you, you’d also notice that the branch is flat; needles grow only on the sides of the branch, not all around it.

Spruce generally have sharp needles, but you’ll also notice that needles grow on every side of a black spruce branch (unlike on the balsam fir). Differentiating it from a red spruce can be tricky at these summits; under a hand lens, you may notice small, gland-tipped hairs that are indicative of the black spruce. The needles are also shorter and are a whitish-green color compared to the longer, more yellow-green needles of the red spruce, says Bob.

Diapensia (Endangered)

Diapensia
Diapensia. Photos by: Angela Hilsman

Diapensia is another endangered Vermont plant. It’s leathery leaves help it to prevent water loss, an adaptation to living at high altitudes. It also is a classic example of a “cushion” growth form, in which the plant grows in small, low clusters for protection from the wind and cold.

Labrador Tea

Labrador Tea
Labrador tea. Photo by: Angela Hilsman

While Labrador tea grows in the alpine zone, it also prefers bogs. Few plants can thrive in the acidic bogs, which means the Labrador tea has less competition for more space and other resources. If you flip its leaves, you’ll find hairs; this adaptation helps the Labrador plant lock in moisture.

alpine bog on Mt. Mansfield.
This bog is located in the alpine zone on Mt. Mansfield. Photo by: Angela Hilsman

Fun fact: there are bogs located in the alpine zone, but do you know what makes a bog? The answer, says Bob, is that the only source of water feeding a bog is rain. There are no streams or underground springs to bring in nutrients. Nearby mosses release hydrogen ions into the water, which is why this bog is so acidic.

Leatherleaf

Leatherleaf
Leatherleaf. Photo by: Angela Hilsman

Leatherleaf most certainly gets its name from its leathery, narrow leaves. This shrub also thrives in bogs, and it can stabilize this wet habitat so that other bog-loving plants thrive as well.

Mountain Cranberry

Mountain Cranberry
Mountain cranberry. Photo by: Angela Hilsman

Mountain cranberry are categorized as cushion plants. They grow in cushion formation to lock in moisture and for protection against the elements. Their waxy leaves also help lock in moisture.

Three-Leaved Goldthread

Three-leaf Goldthread
Three-leaved goldthread. Photo courtesy: Wild Adirondacks

This delicate plant is known for its strong medicinal properties. Its rhizomes, or underground stems, are traditionally used for treating stomach cramps. The goldthread can be found all over New England in many different habitats.

Three-Toothed Cinquefoil

Three-toothed Cinquefoil
Three-toothed cinquefoil. Photo by: Angela Hilsman

The three-toothed cinquefoil gets its name from its distinctive leaf pattern. Its leaves are also evergreen, which means that when the snow starts to melt, these plants can jumpstart photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process in which plants turn sunlight into energy.


Love the plant life? Talk to a GMC caretaker about the plants you see. You can also improve your plant id with apps like Go Botany and iNaturalist. 

Bob Popp, retired Vermont State Biologist, points out different alpine plants to caretakers during the 2023 alpine ecology training walk on Mt. Mansfield.
Bob Popp, retired Vermont State Biologist, points out different alpine plants to caretakers during the 2023 alpine ecology training walk on Mt. Mansfield. Photo by Lily LaRegina
Alpine zone signage requests folks respect plants by walking on rocks, leashing dogs
Entering the alpine zone on Mt. Mansfield. Photo by: Angela Hilsman
Caretakers walk the ridgeline of Mt. Mansfield during the 2023 alpine ecology training walk, led by retired Vermont State Biologist, Bob Popp, and State Ecologist, Bob Zaino. The trees along the ridgeline grow shorter because they have been stunted by wind exposure and other harsh elements.
Caretakers walk the ridgeline of Mt. Mansfield during the 2023 alpine ecology training walk, led by retired Vermont State Biologist, Bob Popp, and State Ecologist, Bob Zaino. The trees along the ridgeline grow shorter because they have been stunted by wind exposure and other harsh elements. Photo by Lily LaRegina
Bob Zaino, Vermont State Ecologist, refers to the Appalachain Trail Club's "Field Guide to the New England Alpine Summits" during the 2023 alpine ecology training walk with caretakers on Mt. Mansfield.
Bob Zaino, Vermont State Ecologist, refers to the Appalachain Trail Club’s “Field Guide to the New England Alpine Summits” during the 2023 alpine ecology training walk with caretakers on Mt. Mansfield. Photo by Lily LaRegina
Hikers on Mt. Mansfield ridgeline.
Notice the stringing along the trail? Caretakers set that up to encourage hikers to walk on rocks and to stay off alpine plants. Photo by: Angela Hilsman
GMC 2021 seasonal caretakers on Mt. Mansfield
GMC 2021 seasonal caretakers on Mt. Mansfield. Photo by: Angela Hilsman
View from Mt. Mansfield ridgeline
View from Mt. Mansfield ridgeline. Photo by: Angela Hilsman

Filed Under: Education, From the Field, Hiking

Comments

  1. bruce mickle says

    August 12, 2021 at 10:52 am

    thanks for the write-up. It is always great to share wooland photos with subjects identified.Looking foreward to more species information in a spot our young entering hikers can access. Good Job! Alive55man

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. What's that String in the Alpine Zones? - Green Mountain Club says:
    August 4, 2022 at 5:19 am

    […] treeline. Yes, it helps hikers find their way on exposed bedrock. But more importantly, it protects the fragile plants that grow only on the approximately 200 acres of Vermont’s alpine […]

    Reply
  2. Rare Plant Discovery, A Win for Alpine Stewardship - Green Mountain Club says:
    April 4, 2023 at 3:07 pm

    […] Plants in the alpine zone are extremely vulnerable to human impact: only a few footsteps can permanently damage or kill them. That’s why you’ll see white string delineating trail corridors on summits in Vermont and New Hampshire. It helps clearly guide people and dogs to stay on durable surfaces and concentrate their impact away from the most delicate plants. […]

    Reply
  3. State Botanist Bob Popp Retires - Green Mountain Club says:
    May 9, 2023 at 9:43 am

    […] after 33 years as Vermont’s State Botanist. One element of his role has been leading annual alpine plant identification training sessions. Those sessions have been an essential part of the club’s effort to protect […]

    Reply
  4. Kick off Summer With our Vermont Hiking Bucket List - Green Mountain Club says:
    May 25, 2023 at 9:16 am

    […] alpine zone and see how many plants you can identify after reading our blog, “Alpine ID: 15 Plants to Find Above Treeline.” Up your nature knowledge with the help of nature guides, like the Nature Guide to […]

    Reply

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collage of art from artists featured in this piece

Artists of the Long Trail

December 2, 2023

From climbs that take your breath away to the iconic silhouette of Camel’s Hump, the Long Trail inspires artists as well as hikers — and has done so for more than 100 years. The artists profiled below substantiate their love of and inspiration from the Green Mountains on paper – and in the metal … Read more

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