Flora of the polar environment
In the Arctic, growing conditions for vegetation are very varied. In the southern reaches of the Arctic, plant communities can be vigorous, with small trees and stands of low growing shrubs. The further north one travels, the shorter and more sparse the ground cover becomes until in the high artic, which is a true desert, the plants are scattered across rocky ground and the most numerous plants are the lichens. Here the carpets of flowers are only found below bird cliffs or other areas of high fertility.
Adaptations
Arctic flora has adapted to the harsh winds and extreme temperatures. There adaptations include dark colours to absorb hear, small leaves to retain heat and growing low to the ground to retain heat. Many of the plants are also Perennials and produce lots of flowers in there short growing season.
Arctic flora has adapted to the harsh winds and extreme temperatures. There adaptations include dark colours to absorb hear, small leaves to retain heat and growing low to the ground to retain heat. Many of the plants are also Perennials and produce lots of flowers in there short growing season.
Arctic Willow
Arctic willow is a dwarf shrub that is food for caribou,oxen and arctic hare. The Inuit people call it the" tongue plant" because of the shape of their leaves. Arctic Willow is a tiny creeping willow. It is adapted to survive in harsh Arctic and subarctic environments, and has a circumpolar distribution round the Arctic Ocean.
Arctic Poppy
This plant is about 10-15 cm tall, with a single flower per stem. The flower heads follow the sun, and the cup-shaped petals help absorb solar energy. The arctic poppy is extremely tough, but its flower petals are delicate. The whole plant is covered with black hairs. It does this to attract insects to the center of its bloom.
Pasque flower
The Pasque flower has several stems that rise 6-8 inches off the ground. On each stem is one flower with 5-8 petals. The range of color in the petals is from dark lavender to almost white. This plant ranges throughout the northwestern United States and up to northern Alaska. Its covering of fine silky hairs provides insulation.
Arctic willow is a dwarf shrub that is food for caribou,oxen and arctic hare. The Inuit people call it the" tongue plant" because of the shape of their leaves. Arctic Willow is a tiny creeping willow. It is adapted to survive in harsh Arctic and subarctic environments, and has a circumpolar distribution round the Arctic Ocean.
Arctic Poppy
This plant is about 10-15 cm tall, with a single flower per stem. The flower heads follow the sun, and the cup-shaped petals help absorb solar energy. The arctic poppy is extremely tough, but its flower petals are delicate. The whole plant is covered with black hairs. It does this to attract insects to the center of its bloom.
Pasque flower
The Pasque flower has several stems that rise 6-8 inches off the ground. On each stem is one flower with 5-8 petals. The range of color in the petals is from dark lavender to almost white. This plant ranges throughout the northwestern United States and up to northern Alaska. Its covering of fine silky hairs provides insulation.