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

Mount Rainier glowed bright amber as it popped up from behind a stand of subalpine fir.

From Outside Online

Trails such as the five-mile Greys Lake Trail drop hikers on the shores of subalpine lakes, where craggy summits, like the 11,127-foot Hole in the Mountain Peak, loom above.

From Outside Online

Topping out at 11,823 feet, the trail gives visitors a great chance to check out subalpine and tundra zones.

From Outside Online

Among the trees are the quaking aspen, Douglas spruce, Engelmann spruce, and subalpine fir.

From Project Gutenberg

Another thousand feet and the Subalpine fir replaces its two near relatives.

From Project Gutenberg

They are found in most perfect condition in the subalpine region, at an elevation of from eight thousand to nine thousand feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Between the subalpine areas and the river valleys there are several large ancient burns which are partly reforested.

From Project Gutenberg

Subalpine species adapted to withstand the burden of deep snow take their place.

From Project Gutenberg