Androsace alpina

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Androsace alpina
A typical Androsace alpina cushion in flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ericales Family: Primulaceae Genus: Androsace Species: A. alpina
Binomial name
Androsace alpina (L.) Lam.
Synonyms
Aretia alpina L. Androsace glacialis Hoppe Androsace tiroliensis F.Wettst.

Androsace alpina is an alpine plant, endemic to the Alps and widely grown in rock gardens. In the wild, it grows on silicaceous substrates, particularly granite, and is one of the few plants in the Alps to grow above 4000 metres, including near the summit of the Matterhorn (only Ranunculus glacialis and perhaps Saxifraga biflora grow higher).

The flowers of A. alpina are white or pink (often both on the same plant), and in the short flowering season can be so densely packed that they completely shade the foliage. It is largely for this reason that A. alpina has become popular among horticulturists.