186 THE HIGH ALPINE PLANTS 



(Saxifraga oppositifolia, Linn.) (Plate XXXVI., 

 Fig. 1) in Chapter III. (p. 78). We may, however, 

 notice here that the tufted leafy branches of this 

 plant form a loose cushion, less compact than those 

 of many of the High Alpines. Though the Purple 

 Saxifrage is found at great elevations in Switzerland, 

 it is not a true High Alpine, for it is also common 

 in the Alpine and Subalpine zones. 



The large size of the flowers in comparison with 

 the leaves (Plate XXXVI., Pig. 1) is a striking feature 

 of the plant. Often when this Saxifrage is in full 

 bloom, the crowded flowers almost completely hide the 

 cushion. The same feature is characteristic of many 

 other cushion plants, though it is not universal. 



The High Alpine Carpet Plants. 



We have already discussed the peculiarities of a 

 typical carpet plant in the case of the White Dryas 

 (p. 106), the Trailing Azalea (p. 109), and other Alpines 

 described in Chapter IV. 



The Trailing Azalea is essentially a High Alpine 

 plant. Another High Alpine which will be found 

 described in Chapter IX., the Crowberry {Empetrum 

 nigrum, Linn.), is a low, spreading shrub which, while 

 not a true carpet plant, has some characteristics in 

 common with typical instances of that kind of habit. 



In the High Alpine region, the Willows form 

 perhaps the most perfect examples of carpet plants 

 to be found in the whole Alps. 



