Herbfields: Short alpine herbfield
Short alpine herbfields comprise mainly prostrate or mat-forming plants which grow in areas below melting snow drifts.
The soil here is continually saturated with cold water;
as a result the humus from dead plants does not break down, accumulating instead as peaty soil.
This type of herbfield also occurs on gravel deposits and rocky outcrops if moisture is available.
Alpine Marsh-marigold ( Psychrophila introloba ) is commonly seen at the edges of receding snow-drifts. "Psychrophila" means cold-loving.