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Diapensia lapponica L.

Diapensia, Pincushion plant

Diapensiaceae (Pincushion-Plant Family)

USDA Symbol: DILA

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A low-growing plant, forming dense tufts, with white, bell-shaped flowers borne singly on short stalks.

This plant is strikingly showy when in flower. The low, mat-forming habit is typical of many plants in harsh arctic and alpine environments. Diapensia is especially common above the timberline on Mount Washington, New Hampshire. The species name refers to Lapland, where the plant also occurs.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , ME , NH , NY , VT
Canada: NL , NS , QC
Native Distribution: Manitoba; Quebec and Newfoundland south to New York; also in much of far north.
Native Habitat: Bare ledges, gravel patches, and mountain summits.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), GL(N), SPM(N)

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Diapensia lapponica is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Arctic Blue
(Plebejus glandon)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA
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Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Diapensia lapponica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Diapensia lapponica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Diapensia lapponica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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