5) Dianthus, Lychnis, Silene and other Caryophyllaceae

In contrast with the lush, colourful showiness of Silene acaulis, here is another local (and circumpolar) alpine that pretty much represents the other end of the scale!

... for kicking off this discussion, anyway. Due to its circumpolar distribution, Silene acaulis is one that I'm sure will be familar to forumists worldwide. It seems to me to be omnipresent in the alpine zone in this area, challenged in abundance perhaps only by Dryas octopetala... ? (NB. These are only my biased observations from limited exposure to the area. Please feel free to question, challenge, or vehemently deny! :))