Plant Life in the Tundra
Although the tundra appears to be a very barren place, it actually has many different species of plants. Most of these plants are small and grow in between rocks and low to the ground to protect themselves from the strong winds and freezing temperatures. The word Tundra itself has a Finnish root (no pun intended) 'tunturia', which means a plain without trees. Trees can't grow on the tundra because of the strong winds, the short growing season, and permafrost. The structure of vegetation is relatively simple and the soil is poor in nutrients. Underneath the soil is permafrost, which is a hard frozen layer of dirt and rocks. This also makes it difficult for plants to grow. On the left is an image of permafrost.
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The plants that grow in the tundra can be put into several categories: shrubs, grasses, flowers, mosses, and lichens. The primary type of shrub is a willow shrub. Some grasses include cotton grass and Alpine Blue grass. Lichens unique organisms made up of a fungus and algae that live together. Grazers such as elk and caribou may feed off of lichen. Other plants include Saxifrage, Moss Campion, arctic moss, Caribou moss, bearberry, Pasque flower, Diamond leaf willow, Labrador Tea, and marsh marigold. Bearberry is a food source for bears and birds.
Shown below are Saxifrage, cotton grass, and lichen.
Shown below are Saxifrage, cotton grass, and lichen.
Because of the harsh conditions of the tundra, many plants have various adaptations to stay alive. Some may have dark red leaves. Dark colors absorb light, and because of the frigid weather, the plants must absorb as much heat as possible in order to survive. Other plants become dormant in the winter. They remain alive but stop growing. Because of how short the summer season is, plants grow and bloom in a short period of time. When traveling to the tundra at the right time, you may be lucky and see a wide open plain filled with blooming flowers.
Below are some images of bearberry, a plant that has dark leaves, and a polar bear resting its head on a lichen-covered rock in winter.
Below are some images of bearberry, a plant that has dark leaves, and a polar bear resting its head on a lichen-covered rock in winter.
Below are more images of plants:
Flowering Moss Campion, Pasque flower, and marsh marigold
Flowering Moss Campion, Pasque flower, and marsh marigold
Below are tufted Saxifrage, caribou moss, and Diamond leaf willow.
Below are Alpine blue grass, arctic moss, Labrador Tea flower, and other images of the tundra.