Alpine Azalia

Common name: Alpine Azalia

Scientific name: Loiseleuria procumbens

Dimensions:
  Flower: About ¼" (6 mm) wide
  Plant height: Creeper, with branches up to 4" (10 cm) long

Blooming period: June-August

Habitat: Occurs all the way around the north pole (circumboreal), including higher mountain summits of New Hampshire in rocky exposed areas

Description: Terminal clusters of 2-5 small, bell-shaped flowers, each flower on a short stalk attached at axils of crowded upper leaves. Leaves of this woody, much- branched spreading alpine plant ¼ to ?" (6 mm to 8 mm) long, opposite, leathery, evergreen, narrowly elliptical, on short stalks, with rolled edges. This bushy, mat-like plant, particularly common above tree line on Mount Washington and neighboring peaks, is considered threatened in New Hampshire. Heath family. (June 19)