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Loiseleuria procumbens (Alpine azalea)
Weyand, Phyllis

Loiseleuria procumbens

Loiseleuria procumbens (L.) Desv.

Alpine Azalea, Alpine-azalea, Dwarf Azalea

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonym(s): Azalea procumbens, Chamaecistus procumbens, Kalmia procumbens

USDA Symbol: LOPR

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)

From the tufted branchlets of this matted shrub are borne pairs of tiny, oblong, closely-set leaves and abundant clusters of dainty flowers. Each flower, a rose to white bell, is perched upright in the cluster. Plants are no taller than 1/2 ft. A creeping, much-branched, mat-forming, dwarf shrub with 2-5 pink, bell-shaped flowers in terminal clusters and evergreen leaves with rolled edges.

In the Northeast this showy, prostrate shrub is especially common above the tree line on Mount Washington, New Hampshire. It is frequently found with Lapland Rosebay (Rhododendron lapponicum) or Diapensia (Diapensia lapponica).

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , ME , NH , NY , WA
Canada: NL , NT , NU , QC , YT
Native Distribution: Circumpolar, s. through most of AK & Yukon
Native Habitat: Alpine & arctic tundra; gravelly slopes

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Cool, moist, rocky or peaty, acid soils.

Benefit

Warning: The leaves, seeds, and roots of some plants of the Lobelia genus contain poisonous substances and have caused fatalities in humans and animals when ingested. All plants in the genus may contain toxins and should not be ingested. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FACW FACW FACW
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 34 - Go Botany (2019) Native Plant Trust
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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