Cushions

[astragalus]

Carlo, you triggered a memory of something I had read a long time ago but it took a while to pinpoint it.
In the January, 1957 issue of (then called ARGS) Bulletin, Vol.15, No.1, pg 7, was an article titled "Growth - Forms of Alpine Plants", by Donald R. Yeager of the Highland Park Herbarium in Rochester, New York.  I've just reread it and it's as fascinating now as it was when I first read it.  Under the heading of Cushion or Mat Plants, he divides cushions into radial-flat and radial-sphere cushions.  He cites Saxifraga, Androsace, Draba, Silene, Arenaria, Stellaria and Eritrichium as having cushion growth.  He describes the cushion growth as you did - vigorous tap root, much articulated system of compressed sprouts - numerous radial arranged branches of nearly the same height, with tips of shoots usually the only parts of plants having foliage. Then he subdivides into Hemisphere cushions, Turf cushions Creeping cushions and Rosette cushions. Hemishere cushions are again divided into radial hollow spheres (such as Draba hoppeana et al) and Radial non-hollow spheres (such as Sax caesia, Sax squarrosa et al).  He gives examples of each of his divisions.  I tried to get this included in the NARGS published book "Rock Garden  Plants of North America", c 1996,  (which consisted of reprints from ARGS Bulletin).  That attempt failed but I did manage to get in the beautiful line drawing of Astragalus tridactylicus.  If you're interested in the article and can't get ahold of it, Joe might be able to scan it for you. We leave for the Dolomites the end of the week so please let me know soon.

[Carlo]

I AM definitely interested in the article and appreciate your offer. This stuff fascinates me.

Some time ago, I saw a graphic representation of the various alpine plant forms (in some level of detail). I've been looking for it since to no avail. I intend to use it to create keywords for my catalog of photographs.

Thanks.

[astragalus]

Unfortunately this article didn't come with any illustrations.  I'll try and scan this to you before we leave. Is your email the same?

[christian pfalz]

hi, acantholimon cusion in bloom now....



cheers
chris

[Lesley Cox]

A lovely plant Chris. It shows what I often find with cushions planted out in the garden rather than in pots. It flowers first on the sunny side then gradually the shady side comes into bloom. In a pot it can be turned frequently to have an even flowering. Dianthus erinaceus and Erinacea anthyllis are two that display this habit strongly.

[christian pfalz]

lesley, i like the prickly cushions, and i´ve got a lot of them...to much 
best effects in the ground, you know, in pots or throughs not so good for a long time...
cheers
chris

[Rogan]

A few cushions / mats seen on my last trip to Lesotho - Helichrysum species growing at approximately 9,500 ft.

[christian pfalz]

hello rogan, fantastic habitat pictures...thanks a lot...
cheers
chris

[Lesley Cox]

Super cushion Rogan, especially the first one. Do you know which species?The foliage looks like that of milfordiae but the flower isn't right.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great pix Rogan !!! 

[christian pfalz]

hi all, an detail from acantholimon hohenackeri...


kind regards
chris

[Lesley Cox]

THat species seems to be very free-flowering Chris, a very nice plant.

[christian pfalz]

lesley, thanks a lot...
cheers
chris

[cohan]

A few cushions / mats seen on my last trip to Lesotho - Helichrysum species growing at approximately 9,500 ft.

wow-wow!-boy do i like those, esp the first photo

[Rogan]

"Super cushion Rogan, especially the first one. Do you know which species?The foliage looks like that of milfordiae but the flower isn't right."

Referring to Hilliard and Burtt, The Botany of the Southern Natal Drakensberg, I'd say it is Helichrysum pagophilum. Here's a close-up of a few flowers and the woolly foliage: