Medicinal plants in the Alpine Zone (above 4000 meter) of Nepal

Alpine vegetation contains stunted bushy shrubs. The major plant species are Rhododendron anthopogon, Rhododendron lepidotum, Juniperus recurva, Juniperus indica, Juniperus communis together with Ephedra gerardiana, Berberis spp. and Cotoneaster accuminata. In the river valleys, Hippophae spp., Salix spp., Saxifraga spp., Arenaria spp. and Androsace spp. and alpine grasses are available. Alpine zone also contains herbal resources such as Primula spp., Gentiana spp., Corydalis spp. and Saussurea spp. Beyond around 5200 meter, there remains snow all around the year and only mosses and lichens are found here and there. The plant life is nonexistent generally above 6000 meter in the nival zone and artic desert. At one instance plant life has been detected in as high as 6100 meter, the plant species being Stellaria decumbens and Parrya lanuginosa.