Alpine Azalea

Kalmia procumbens

''Kalmia procumbens'', commonly known as alpine azalea or trailing azalea, is a dwarf shrub of high mountain regions of the Northern Hemisphere that usually grows no more than 10 centimeters tall.
Trailing Azalea Another alpine shrub from Baosbheinn. Baosbheinn,Kalmia procumbens,Scotland,Torridon,Trailing Azalea

Appearance

Individuals of this species are shrubs grown for two to five rose-pink flowers. Its leaves are opposite and its evergreen leaves are leathery blades to 8mm long and have incised margin. Edges are rolled under green on the top and white with dense short hairs underneath.
Trailing Azalea Showing full plant, a "massive" and very aged plant. The growth habit allows it to maintain a temperature of 10 degrees higher within the middle of the plant compared the the frozen outside. Baosbheinn,Kalmia procumbens,Scotland,Torridon,Trailing Azalea

Naming

Originally named by Linnaeus as ''Azalea procumbens'', it is also named after French botanist L.L.A. Loiseleur-Deslongchamps - ''Loiseleuria procumbens''.

Distribution

''Kalmia procumbens'' is not well known though it is widely distributed. These plants are common in the subarctic regions and high mountains of the northern hemisphere. In North America it reaches the southern limit of its range in the mountains of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Washington. It is easy to propagate.

Habitat

''Kalmia procumbens'' prefers alpine or subalpine, rocky exposed habitat. It grows above treeline with mountain heathers and at lower elevations in bogs.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderEricales
FamilyEricaceae
GenusKalmia
SpeciesK. procumbens
Photographed in
United Kingdom