Plant Association Information
Cassiope tetragona plant association (Four-angled cassiope)
Click on the headings below to view details about this plant association.
Cassiope tetragona (30% cover) codominates this association with Arctostaphylos alpina (20% cover), Diapensia lapponica and Vaccinium uliginosum (5% cover). Other shrub species include Empetrum nigrum and Dryas octopetala (Appendix 4). Herbaceous species include Arnica lessingii, Carex bigelowii and Hierochloe alpina. Lichen cover averages 40% and moss cover is less than 10%. Hylocomium splendens has 30% cover.
This association occurs in alpine areas and forms small patches within a mosaic of other dwarf shrub associations. The soils are well drained and rocky on colluvial and bedrock slopes.
Associated Plant Species: Arctostaphylos alpina,
Arnica lessingii,
Carex bigelowii,
Cassiope tetragona,
Diapensia lapponica,
Dryas octopetala,
Empetrum nigrum,
Hierochloe alpina,
Hylocomium splendens,
Vaccinium uliginosum