Open formations of the alpine level of the southeastern Alps, and, to a lesser extent, of the northeastern Alps, composed of cushions of Carex firma and other low-growing rosette or cushion plants among which Saxifraga caesia, Gentiana clusii, Gentiana froelichii, Gentiana terglouensis, Crepis jacquinii, Pedicularis rosea, Saussurea pygmaea, Dianthus monspessulanus ssp. sternbergii, Primula wulfeniana, Chamorchis alpina, Sesleria albicans, Carex mucronata, sometimes in association with mats of Dryas octopetala.