Mountain Avens

Mountain Avens (Dryas integrifolia/octopetala)

Also known as: arctic and alpine dryad, white mountain avens



Bloom time: June - July

Additional photos:

• Dryas integrifolia/octopetala first bloom
  credit: Linda Kershaw

General:

• These plants are ground-hugging, sun-loving, semi-shrubs.
• Arctic mountain avens (Dryas integrifolia) leaves are 1-2 cm long, narrow with smooth edges and a somewhat shiny upper surface.
• Alpine mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) leaves are longer (up to 3.5 cm) and wider, with scalloped or wavy edges.

Leaves & Twigs: The small, leathery, evergreen leaves are wrinkled on the upper surface and hairy underneath.

Flowers & Fruits:

• White, saucer-shaped flowers are 2-3 cm wide, growing on stalks 2-15 cm tall.
• Seed plumes are twisted in tight red/gold bundles that open into fluffy round seed heads as they mature.

Habitat: These species prefer rocky barren areas, alpine meadows and ridges. Arctic mountain avens can also tolerate moist conditions, where it takes on a creeping form.

PlantWatch Pointers: Select a typical patch of plants, if the plants are very abundant, mark off a l-metre-square section to observe.

To Observe:

• First bloom: when the first flowers are open in the observed plants.
• Mid bloom: when 50% of the flowers are open in the observed plants.

Distribution Map:



This species is monitored in:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Quebec
• Yukon

This floral emblem for the Northwest Territories was important for the Inuit - the twisting of the mountain avens seed head marked the best time to move inland to hunt caribou.