See text Dryas is a genus of perennial cushion-forming evergreen dwarf shrubs in the family Rosaceae, native to the arctic and alpine regions of Europe, Asia and North America.

The genus is named after the dryads, the tree nymphs of ancient Greek mythology.

[4] The species are superficially similar to Geum (with which they share the common name avens), Potentilla, and Fragaria (strawberry).

The hybrid Dryas × suendermannii, with cream coloured flowers, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[citation needed][7] Dryas comprises three species, but the genus is in need of taxonomic revision:[1][8][9] The status of the following species is unresolved:[9] Two hybrids have been described:[9] The status of the following hybrids is unresolved:[9] Some Dryas plants have root nodules that host the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Frankia.