subalpine

[ suhb-al-pahyn, -pin ]

adjective

1. pertaining to the regions at the foot of the Alps.
2. Botany. growing on mountains below the limit of tree growth, and above the foothill, or montane, zone.

subalpine

/ sʌbˈælpaɪn /

adjective

1. situated in or relating to the regions at the foot of mountains
2. (of plants) growing below the treeline in mountainous regions

Word History and Origins

Origin of subalpine¹

First recorded in 1650–60; sub- + alpine

Example Sentences

Mountain goats are tied to rugged alpine and subalpine habitats.

From Seattle Times

In Farmington Canyon north of Salt Lake City, where BWA was first documented in Utah, subalpine fir is experiencing widespread mortality.

From Science Daily

Alpine and subalpine Sphagnum peatlands are endangered in Australia and listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, due to their restricted geographic distribution, biodiversity declines, and challenges in their restoration and regeneration.

From Science Daily

Collecting the lake sediment samples in a beautiful subalpine lake was cold, arduous work, Clark-Wolf said.

From Science Daily

Larch season differs in Washington from year to year, but generally, the first couple of weeks in October feature peak subalpine larch colors, while western larches change later.

From Seattle Times