This study aims to link clonal traits and local-scale environmental variables in 169 herbaceous species plots distributed in the Vanoise Massif (inner part of the French Alps). The clonal traits considered are: duration of clonal integration, length of spacers, and spacer production rate, using the database Clopla1 (Klime & al. 1997). We find a significant correlation between the patterns of those functional traits, and environmental variables. Altitude, position in the mountainside, slope, and concave meso-topography are the main structuring factors of these clonal traits. Vegetative growth ability (frequency of multiplication, duration of ramet integration) tends to increase with increasing climatic stress, although it is less significant for spacer length. This work aims to link, at large scale, clonal structure and environmental factors with harsh and contrasted conditions of stress, and disturbance. The adaptive value of those traits is discussed in the theoretical framework relating environmental restraints and clonality.