# Mountain Misery (*Chamaebatia foliolosa*) Mountain Misery is a small shrub that grows in rocky places. It has soft, green leaves and pretty white flowers that bloom in the spring. This plant is special because it can survive in tough mountain conditions! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Mountain Misery](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chamaebatia_foliolosa_2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chamaebatia_foliolosa_2.jpg) ## Appearance The Mountain Misery is a low-growing, mat-forming shrub with deeply divided, fern-like green leaves. Its foliage is notably sticky and resinous, often appearing somewhat glossy. Small, white, five-petaled flowers bloom above the dense mats, adding a bright contrast to its darker leaves. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Rosales - **Family:** Rosaceae - **Genus:** Chamaebatia ## Interesting facts - If you brush against Mountain Misery, its pungent, resinous scent will often cling to your clothes for hours! - It got its name 'Mountain Misery' because its extremely sticky leaves make hiking through it quite challenging! - Its unique, deeply divided leaves resemble tiny green ferns, even though it's not actually a fern! - Native Americans traditionally used the plant's leaves externally for various medicinal poultices and washes. ## Special abilities - **Fire Fighter:** Mountain Misery can quickly regrow from its robust root crown after a wildfire, making it highly fire-adapted. - **Deep Drinker:** It has a deep taproot that helps it reach water far below ground, allowing it to thrive in very dry areas. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-30 cm - **Spread:** 30-90 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Black-tailed Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-tailed-bumble-bee) (*Bombus melanopygus*) — Visits its white flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Helps spread pollen between Mountain Misery plants. - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — May browse on its leaves, especially new growth. - **Shelter:** [Spotted Towhee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-towhee) (*Pipilo maculatus*) — Nests or finds cover within its dense, spreading mats. ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [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. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [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. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [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:** 2/5 · Low Do not eat any part of this plant, as it can make you feel sick. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mountain Misery? 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 Mountain Misery? 10-30 cm ### How wide does Mountain Misery spread? 30-90 cm ### How big are the flowers on Mountain Misery? 1-2 cm ### When does Mountain Misery bloom? Late spring to summer ### Is Mountain Misery edible? No ### Is Mountain Misery toxic? Mild ### What is Mountain Misery's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Alder Creek Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alder-creek-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Atwell Mill Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atwell-mill-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Black Mountain Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-mountain-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Empire Mine State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/empire-mine-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park - [Giant Forest Lodge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/giant-forest-lodge-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Giant Forest Village-Camp Kaweah Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/giant-forest-village-camp-kaweah-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District [View all places to see Mountain Misery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/mountain-misery) ## 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: [Mountain Misery: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mountain-misery)