Chamæphytes

Chamæphytes are a plant life-form in the Raunkiaer classification, defined by perennating buds situated close to the ground, typically within 25 cm of the soil surface. In many species these buds lie beneath leaf litter or are protected by snow, and the plants themselves are often low-growing, including prostrate shrubs, cushion-forming plants, and compact perennials. The category encompasses a range of forms, many of which are evergreen.

Because their meristems are near the ground, chamaephytes are especially common in cold, windy, and drought-prone environments where taller growth would be disadvantageous. They are adapted to long, harsh seasons and rely on stored reserves in perennating buds for regrowth.

Geographically, chamaephytes are widespread but particularly characteristic of alpine and Arctic zones. They also occur in deserts, Mediterranean scrub, and other regions where seasonal extremes favor compact, low-growth life-forms.

Examples commonly cited for the chamaephyte life-form include Silene acaulis (moss campion) and Saxifraga oppositifolia (purple saxifrage), both forming cushion or mat-like growth in tundra and alpine habitats. Many dwarf shrubs and prostrate species, including various heaths and coastal cushions, also fall into this category.

In ecological and biogeographical work, the chamaephyte life-form helps describe plant strategies for surviving frost, drought, and disturbance, complementing other Raunkiaer categories such as phanerophytes and hemicryptophytes.