10 Unique Plants That Flourish in the Tundra Biome
10 Unique Plants That Flourish in the Tundra Biome
Arctic Willow (Salix arctica)
The creeping arctic willow, native to North America, forms its own natural pesticide, has a shallow root system, and long fuzzy hairs on its leaves. Its oval-shaped leaves and spiky flowers help combat weather.
Dwarf Willow (Salix herbacea)The dwarf willow, also known as the snowbed willow, is a small tree that survives extreme tundra climates by staying close to ground and maximizing sunlight. It thrives in well-drained riverbanks and steep slopes, producing diverse flowers.
Arctic Poppy (Papaver radicatum)The arctic poppy, found in the North American Arctic, has a lighter-colored flower and a runners-like root system, providing camouflage and water access over larger surfaces.
Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum)
Cotton grass, a common plant in the tundra biome, has slender, grass-like leaves and stems. Its dense hairs protect and survive plants, and it was once used as wicks in Inuit culture for lamps or candles.
Tundra Rose (Dasiphora fruticosa)The tundra rose, also known as shrubby cinquefoil, is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that thrives in various conditions, including drought, erosion, and air pollution.
Saskatoon Berry (Amelanchier alnifolia)Saskatoon berry plants offer various seasonal benefits, including white flowers, leaf colors, and fiber-rich berries. Similar to apples, they continue to ripen even after picking. Bird species rely on these berries, while pollen and nectar attract bees and insects.
Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens)
The pasqueflower, a tundra plant with fine hairs, grows low to the ground and blooms cup-shaped, dark-purple to white-colored flowers. Found in the Northwest U.S. to northern Alaska, it prefers sandy or gravely soil and has been used as a healing agent.
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)Bearberry plants, named for their red berries, grow on rocks and sand, thriving in harsh climates. They have thick bark with fine hairs, dense, leathery leaves, and can reach six to eight inches in height.
Arctic Crocus (Anemone patens)
The arctic crocus, a vibrant plant with purple and white combinations, attracts pollinators, grows close together, and has shorter roots to conserve energy.
Labrador Tea Shrub (Ledum groenlandicum)
Labrador tea, a plant found in wet bogs and tundra biome, adapts to its climate by growing up in warmer latitudes and closer to ground in colder ones, believed to reduce blood glucose and improve insulin sensitivity.