Cotton Grass
Eriophorum (Cottongrass, Cotton-grass or Cottonsedge) is a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants in the family Cyperaceae, the Sedge family. They are found throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere in acid bog habitats, being particularly abundant in Arctic tundra regions
Eriophorum (Cottongrass, Cotton-grass or Cottonsedge) is a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants in the family Cyperaceae, the Sedge family. They are found throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere in acid bog habitats, being particularly abundant in Arctic tundra regions
Lichens
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a fungus (the mycobiont) and a photosynthetic partner (thephotobiont or phycobiont) growing together in a symbiotic relationship. The photobiont is usually either a green alga (commonly Trebouxia) orcyanobacterium (commonly Nostoc). The morphology, physiology and biochemistry of lichens are very different from those of the isolated fungus andalga in culture. Lichens occur in some of the most extreme environments on Earth--arctic tundra, hot deserts, rocky coasts, and toxic slag heaps.
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a fungus (the mycobiont) and a photosynthetic partner (thephotobiont or phycobiont) growing together in a symbiotic relationship. The photobiont is usually either a green alga (commonly Trebouxia) orcyanobacterium (commonly Nostoc). The morphology, physiology and biochemistry of lichens are very different from those of the isolated fungus andalga in culture. Lichens occur in some of the most extreme environments on Earth--arctic tundra, hot deserts, rocky coasts, and toxic slag heaps.
Heath
A heath or heathland is a shrubland habitat found mainly on low quality acidic soils, and is characterised by open, low growing woody vegetation. There are some clear differences between heath and moorland. For example moorland has a very peaty topsoil, and it is also free-draining, whereas a heath is not.
A heath or heathland is a shrubland habitat found mainly on low quality acidic soils, and is characterised by open, low growing woody vegetation. There are some clear differences between heath and moorland. For example moorland has a very peaty topsoil, and it is also free-draining, whereas a heath is not.
Woody Shrubs
Woody shrubs of the tundra are often dwarfed and only a few inches in stature. The stems of the willow shown below are prostrate and sheltered from the cold and wind by a cover of dead and living non-woody plants. In the photo below only the flower of the willow protrudes above its protective cover.
Woody shrubs of the tundra are often dwarfed and only a few inches in stature. The stems of the willow shown below are prostrate and sheltered from the cold and wind by a cover of dead and living non-woody plants. In the photo below only the flower of the willow protrudes above its protective cover.
Perennial forbs
Perennial forbs spend the cold dark winters in a dormant stage. The foliage dies down to ground level or disappears completely; the living buds are protected below ground. During the short growing season in the Arctic, energy is stored in underground structures such as bulbs. When warmth returns to the high latitudes, the plant is ready to grow quickly from its energy reserves and, in good years, flower and set seed in the few weeks when temperatures are above 50° F and daylight lasts 24 hours.
Perennial forbs spend the cold dark winters in a dormant stage. The foliage dies down to ground level or disappears completely; the living buds are protected below ground. During the short growing season in the Arctic, energy is stored in underground structures such as bulbs. When warmth returns to the high latitudes, the plant is ready to grow quickly from its energy reserves and, in good years, flower and set seed in the few weeks when temperatures are above 50° F and daylight lasts 24 hours.