Click on each picture above to find out more about each plant
Bearberry: a low growing evergreen with stems that rise 2 - 8 inches off the ground and is covered in a thick bark and fine silky hairs. On the stem are many oval-shaped, leathery leaves that are up to a inch long. They bloom from March-June. Its adaptation is since it is a low growing plant it can stay out of the wind and its silky hairs help keep it warm. The leathery leaves are also an adaptation to the cold of the Tundra.
Tufted Saxifrage: a small plant that has several straight flower stems which can get 3 - 15 centimeters high. Its leaves are very ridged and very hairy and only 5 - 10 millimeters long. Its adaptation is that it has a well-developed underground root system that stores carbohydrates, so they can respond quickly to the cold harsh weather of the tundra.
Arctic Moss: It has well adapted to the cold weather of the Tundra. When it is not growing, it stores nutrients so new leaves can be made quickly the next spring. The moss is adapted to the incredibly strong winds because it grows close to the ground. Since the moss can grow under water it is protected from the cold winds and dry air of the frozen tundra. The plants long life and slow growth process are adaptations to the short growing season in the Tundra.
Caribou Moss: This plant looks like a foam, gray-green spongy moss. It grows to be 1 - 4 inches tall. Although this is called Caribou Moss, it is actually a lichen. The adaptation of the Caribou Moss is that its tissue isn't easily damaged by frost and also they can survive for long periods of time without water. When it dries out it just goes dormant when there is little water or light. Caribou Moss has lots of carbohydrates that give caribou energy to make body heat .
Tufted Saxifrage: a small plant that has several straight flower stems which can get 3 - 15 centimeters high. Its leaves are very ridged and very hairy and only 5 - 10 millimeters long. Its adaptation is that it has a well-developed underground root system that stores carbohydrates, so they can respond quickly to the cold harsh weather of the tundra.
Arctic Moss: It has well adapted to the cold weather of the Tundra. When it is not growing, it stores nutrients so new leaves can be made quickly the next spring. The moss is adapted to the incredibly strong winds because it grows close to the ground. Since the moss can grow under water it is protected from the cold winds and dry air of the frozen tundra. The plants long life and slow growth process are adaptations to the short growing season in the Tundra.
Caribou Moss: This plant looks like a foam, gray-green spongy moss. It grows to be 1 - 4 inches tall. Although this is called Caribou Moss, it is actually a lichen. The adaptation of the Caribou Moss is that its tissue isn't easily damaged by frost and also they can survive for long periods of time without water. When it dries out it just goes dormant when there is little water or light. Caribou Moss has lots of carbohydrates that give caribou energy to make body heat .