Tundra Botany Madeline Brooks

Abiotic Factors Most of the soil in a tundra has permafrost, which is soil that is frozen year round. The soil found in a tundra is unique because it stores a lot of carbon. However, it isn’t used for agricultural productivity. For six to ten weeks in the summer, the sun shines almost 24 hours a day. It doesn‘t warm up the tundra. For the rest of the year, it is always cold and snowy. None of these abiotic factors help plants live in a tundra.

10 Different Plants Found in a Tundra Biome and Their Adaptions

Arctic Moss (Calliergon giganteum ) Arctic moss grows very slowly. When it’s not growing, it stores nutrients so that it can make leaves quickly each spring. It is adapted to strong winds because it grows close to the ground. Because it can grow under water, it is protected from the cold, dry air of the tundra.

Arctic Willow (Salix arctica) In its strongest growth season, it forms a pesticide to keep insects like the Arctic woolly bear away. It has also adapted to the permafrost by growing a shallow root system. The leaves of the arctic willow have also adapted to the cold weather by growing long fuzzy hairs.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Bearberry is a low growing plant so it can avoid the wind. It also has silky hair and leathery leaves to keep it warm.

Caribou Moss (Cladonia rangiferina) Caribou moss is actually a lichen. Lichen can survive for long times without water. They just dry out and go dormant when there is little water or light. They can begin to grow again after long periods of dormancy.

Diamond- leaf Willow (Salix pulcha) The diamond- leaf willow only grows a few inches tall. It grows across the ground like a carpet. This protects the plant from the wind.

Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum) In the Northern part of the tundra, the Labrador tea grows across the ground. In the southern part, it grows straight up.

Pasque Flower (Anemone patens) It grows close to the ground so it can avoid the wind. It also is covered with fine silky hairs that insulate it.

Tufted Saxifrage (Saxifraga caespitosa) It has a well-developed underground root system for storing carbohydrates, so that they can respond quickly to the cold weather.

Prairie Crocus (Anemone patens) It grows close to the ground to avoid the wind. It also is covered in fine hairs so it can be insulated.

Arctic Poppy (Papaver laestadianum) The flower heads face up so that it can soak up the heat of the sun.