What types of plants grow in Nunavut’s tundra?

Nunavut is located entirely above the northern timberline, meaning its landscape is dominated by tundra vegetation rather than forests. Because the territory experiences long, cold winters and short, cool summers, plant life is characterized by hardy, low-growing species that have adapted to survive in thin soils and permafrost conditions.12

The vegetation in Nunavut’s tundra includes:

• Lichens and Mosses: These are common throughout the landscape, often forming thick carpets or growing on rock surfaces.12
• Flowering Plants: A variety of flowering plants thrive during the short growing season. The purple saxifrage is notably recognized as the territorial flower of Nunavut.13
• Shrubs: Small, hardy shrubs are prevalent, including dwarf birches and various berry-bearing species found in heath tundra areas.12

These plants are essential to the local ecosystem, providing food for wildlife such as caribou and musk oxen. Due to the fragility of these food chains, the tundra is highly susceptible to environmental damage.12