Variety from boreal and arctic zones, corresponding to northern and high-altitude populations with generally smaller size, even more compact habit, and morphological adaptations to extreme climatic conditions — prolonged winters, very short growing seasons, strong winds.
Leaves sometimes more narrowly spatulate, tomentum generally dense. Botanical interest for specialized collections in arctic-alpine plants, distinguished from the type mainly by its geographical origin and ecophysiological adaptations rather than by always clear and constant morphological characteristics.