Diapainsia
Diapensia lapponica L.
Diapensia lapponica, known as Diapainsia, is a circumboreal plant in the Diapensiaceae family. It is the only species in the genus Diapensia with a circumpolar distribution, found in Arctic and alpine regions across North America, Europe, and Asia. The plant likely evolved from a white-flowered ancestor and now thrives in exposed, rocky, high-wind areas free of snow. It is slow-growing and sensitive to higher temperatures, typically found in misty or foggy habitats.
Description
Diapensia lapponica is adapted to harsh, high-altitude environments and cannot compete with taller vegetation. It is difficult to cultivate in lowland gardens and often dies when transplanted. However, cold-treated or wild-collected seed can germinate indoors. The plant's seed and leaves are rich in lipids. It is distributed across Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Vermont, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Great Britain, Krasnoyarsk, Maine, and New Hampshire.
Other common names
DiapainsiaDiapensiaLapland DiapensiaLapland Pincushion PlantPincushion Plant
Distribution
Greenland · Labrador · Newfoundland · Manitoba · Nova Scotia · Northwest Territories · Nunavut · Ontario · Quebec · Saint Pierre and Miquelon · SE · Vermont-US · IS · NO · Finland · Great Britain · Iceland · Krasnoyarsk · Maine · New Hampshire · New York · North European Russi · Norway · Québec · Sweden · Vermont · West Siberia · GL
Synonyms
Diapensia japonicaDiapensia obtusifoliaDiapensia lapponica var. genuina
