# alpine azalea (*Kalmia procumbens*) The alpine azalea is a small, beautiful flower that grows in cool, rocky places. Its lovely pink blooms can brighten up the mountains and attract curious butterflies. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![alpine azalea](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Kalmia_procumbens_bush_upernavik.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kim Hansen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kalmia_procumbens_bush_upernavik.jpg) ## Appearance The alpine azalea is a tiny, prostrate shrub forming dense mats. It has small, dark green, leathery leaves and produces solitary, bell-shaped flowers. These delicate pink to purple blossoms often feature a darker stripe down each petal, standing out against its rocky habitat. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ericales - **Family:** Ericaceae - **Genus:** Kalmia ## Interesting facts - It was once named 'Loiseleuria' after a cool French botanist! - Its tiny purple-pink flowers look like perfect little bells! - The seeds of this plant can stay dormant for many years! - This super tough plant can grow even above the tree line! ## Special abilities - **Frost Shield:** Alpine azalea has tiny, leathery evergreen leaves that can withstand freezing temperatures, helping it survive harsh alpine winters. - **Sun Hugger:** This plant grows very low to the ground, allowing it to stay warmer and avoid strong winds in exposed mountain environments. - **Nutrient Scavenger:** Alpine azalea has shallow, efficient root systems that capture scarce nutrients in its poor mountain soils. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 2-10 cm - **Spread:** 10-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Moderate - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Alpine Bumblebee (*Bombus alpinus*) — collecting nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** Northern Bumblebee (*Bombus hyperboreus*) — seeking nectar in its flowers - **Shelter:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — ants create nests within its dense mats ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not touch or eat any flowers without asking an adult first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify alpine azalea? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is alpine azalea? 2-10 cm ### How wide does alpine azalea spread? 10-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on alpine azalea? 0.5-1 cm ### When does alpine azalea bloom? Late spring to summer ### Is alpine azalea edible? No ### Is alpine azalea toxic? Moderate ### What is alpine azalea's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Bremner Historic Mining District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bremner-historic-mining-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Guard Island Light](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/guard-island-light) — US · Historic District - [Mount Washington State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-washington-state-park) — New Hampshire, US · State Park [View all places to see alpine azalea](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/alpine-azalea) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Alpine Azalea: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alpine-azalea)