Salix arctica or Arctic willow
prefers cold, dry climates and therefore the tundra is a perfect place for it to grow.
Adaptations for survival include the following-- this plant can manufacture its own
pesticides to protect it from insect pests. It has a
shallow root system. This is advantageous as the amount of
rainfall in this area is only 6-14 inches per year. By having a shallow root system, the
plant absorbs the rain into these shallow roots which are close to the surface. If the
roots were deep down, the rain might not permeate that far below the surface and the
plant would die. Also, because there is permafrost, the roots wouldn't be able to
penetrate below the surface soil to any great depths. The plant is adapted to the cold
weather by growing long fuzzy hairs. The willow grows
close to the ground. This adaptation is for protection from
the wind. Therefore, these plants are found well above the treeline in harsh
environments. The plant grows like a carpet on the ground.
This adaptation allows it to gain heat energy from the soil. Since this species has
separate female and male plants, since the two sexes grow in proximity to
eachother, this aids in their sexual reproduction success rate to form
seeds. Also, sometimes, the stems can form roots which
touch the ground and can grow into new plants. This plant is very adapted to its harsh,
cold and dry Arctic environment.
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