FLORA Vegetation in Victoria's Alps varies with altitude as a result of variations in temperature, a duration of snowfall, frost another influential factors such as soil type, landform and aspect. Each type of vegetation has evolved special characteristics in response to the prevailing conditions at various altitudes. Adaptations include seeds lying dormant over winter, a rapid growth period, seedlings develop root systems early, growth characteristics such as small growth to avoid the high winds or flexible stems so they don't break under the weight of the snow. Plants in the alpine zone have also developed drought tolerances similar to desert areas, in response to the lack of readily available water, which is locked up in snow and ice over the winter months. A diverse number of species are present in the Victorian Alps - approximately 1,050 native flowering plant and fern species have been recorded including 92 grasses (family Gramineae), 64 sedges (family Cyperaceae), 24 rushes (family Subcaceae), 79 orchids (family Orchidaceae), 34 wattles (genus Acacia), 38 eucalypts (genus Eucalyptus), 22 beard-heaths (genus Leucopogon) and 18 butercups (genus Ranunculus). There are also about 150 introduced plant species (LCC, 1977).
