5 minute read
Rocky Mountain Alpine Flowers
- Ann H. Zwinger and Beatrice E. Willard, Land Above the Trees
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story and photos by Marlene Borneman
In 1959, American botanist Beatrice E. Willard began studying the alpine tundra with great passion and intensity. Her goal was to document the recovery of the alpine tundra following human impacts. Her studies led Rocky Mountain National Park to construct permanent walkways to popular viewpoints along Trail Ridge Road to keep visitors from trampling the tundra while at the same me teaching them about fragile alpine ecosystems. Her studies became known worldwide and influenced public policy in the protection and preservation of alpine tundra.
Mountain thistle, Sky Pilots, and Alpine Sunflowers
Photo by Marlene Borneman
Still located at the Rock Cut today is a scientific plot used to continue studies on the many variables impacting tundra ecosystems. The paved Tundra Communities Trail, a 0.6 round trip, offers an opportunity to see the fragile plant life. Besides human impacts, other threats to the tundra include climate change and airborne pollutants.
Alpine cushion plants in a fellfield
Photo by Marlene Borneman
With one-third of Rocky composed of alpine tundra, it is worth acquiring knowledge about the extraordinary plants that not only live but thrive in alpine communities. Alpine refers to high altitude, in Colorado starting between 11,000-11,500 feet. It is a life zone that is absent of trees but abundant in miniature flowering plants. There are two types of tundra: arctic tundra and alpine tundra. Arctic tundra is where the subsoil is permanently frozen all year called permafrost. Alpine tundra is the type found in the park. Alpine tundra is depicted by high elevations, cold temperatures for extended periods, and strong winds and storms with a very short growing season. So how do these tiny plants survive in this harsh environment?
Tiny Alpine Forget-Me-Nots
Photo by Marlene Borneman
Alpine plants are characterized as hardy and resilient, survivalists that have adapted to the challenges of the extreme cold, winds/storms, short growing season and often drought conditions. In fact, alpine plants are leaders in adaptation. These plants hug the ground so when high winds and storms appear they simply blow over the plants but do not blow them down. Long, deep tap roots allow these plants to search for water and keep the plants anchored to the thin soil. Fine hairs can cover the leaves, the stems, and the flowers that capture heat and moisture. These hairs also fend off injurious insects that may cause harm and act as a sunscreen in the intense sun.
Moss Campion
Photo by Marlene Borneman
Old Man of the Mountain, also known as alpine sunflower, is a good example. This flower is covered with white, long, woolly thick hairs, thus its name Old Man of the Mountain referring to an old man's beard. It is a monocarpic plant, meaning it takes many years to mature, then blooms once and dies.
Alpine Sunflower, or Old Man of the Mountain
Photo by Marlene Borneman
The tundra consists of several plant communities. Fellfields are fields of rocks on tundra slopes where winds are strong. Cushion plants grow here hugging the ground finding warmth between the rocks. Moss campion, alpine forget-me-nots, alpine stitchwort are common plants growing in fellfields.
Fellfield, or field of rocks, on the tundra
Photo by Marlene Borneman
Snowbeds are where snow persist late into summer. Hardy plants can start growing even under snow. The alpine buttercup starts its growth under the snow often blooming through the snow. Some plants prefer to find a home in boulderfields where large boulders toppled over each other, creating pockets of soil and shelter for plants. Steeper talus and scree slopes that have weathered down smaller rocks are where plants find just enough soil to plant their feet. Their roots actually help stabilize these ever-moving slopes.
Alpine meadow full of Arrowleaf Ragwort
Photo by Marlene Borneman
Alpine meadows are created by rolling hills in the tundra. Here the winds are less fierce and there is more soil to spread out. Taller plants can grow in these wider spaces. The arrowleaf ragwort thrives in alpine meadows and often spreads out in large bunches. Marshes and bogs exist in the tundra ecosystem. They are created when there are slopes at the bottom of mountains where melting snow or springs feed the ground most of the summer. Plants that revel in wet and cold live here. Marsh marigolds, globe flowers and alpine laurel are a few examples.
Marsh Marigolds thrive in an alpine bog
Photo by Marlene Borneman
Rocky shows off a few unique alpine flowers. The Rocky Mountain Blue Columbine, also known as the Dwarf Alpine Columbine, is endemic to Colorado. It is an uncommon flower to see in the alpine making it special when found. The flower has blue sepals with white petals and blue spurs at the tips. It is a small plant growing two to eight inches. The alpine columbine often hides under the shelter of boulders and rocky cliffs.
Rocky Mountain Blue Columbine, or Dwarf Alpine Columbine
Photo by Marlene Borneman
Another member of the Aquilegia genus that is uncommon to see in the park is the Western Red Columbine. This delicate columbine Is found only on the west side of the park. The moss gen an is rare to see in Rocky because of its tiny size and characteristic of closing at the slightest cloud cover. The nodding saxifrage and the weak saxifrage can be elusive. These plants like to grow among rocky outcroppings and are often un-noticed. There are a couple of native orchids that grow in the subalpine and alpine. The common white bog orchid can be found in alpine where the ground is wet and moist. The exquisite Hooded Lady's Tresses orchids prefer the higher elevations of the subalpine.
The elusive Moss, or Pygmy Gentian
Photo by Marlene Borneman
Rocky Mountain National Park is celebrating The Year of the Tundra Campaign in 2021. What does this mean? In carrying on Beatrice Willard's remarkable accomplishments, the park has increased education and awareness of the fragile tundra ecosystem that is such a distinctive feature of the park. The volunteer group Tundra Guardians along with Rangers are out in the alpine tundra areas interacting with visitors to increase understanding of protecting the fragile ecosystem so future generations can enjoy. There are new signs: "Tundra Protection Area, Closed" along Trail Ridge Road where the tundra has been overused and plant life destroyed.
Recovery may take hundreds of years. Tundra revegetation projects are also underway. It is better late than never to take action in caring for this remarkable environment.
Marlene has been photographing Colorado's wildflowers while on her hiking and climbing adventures since 1979. Marlene has climbed Colorado's 54 14ers and the 126 USGS named peaks in Rocky. She is the author of Rocky Mountain Wildflowers 2Ed, The Best Front Range Wildflower Hikes, and Rocky Mountain Alpine Flowers, published by CMC Press. She has created the alpine flower quiz for this issue of HIKE ROCKY magazine.
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