Arctic Willow Facts: Tiny Native Plants Of North America!

There are over 400 salix species.

The arctic willow (Salix arctica), also known as the rock plant, is a tiny creeping willow that belongs to the Salix genus and Malpighiales order. These hardy plants are found in North America.

They are found in northern Russia, northern Alaska, and extend beyond the northern limit of land on the north coast of Greenland. Arctic willow grows in a variety of habitats, including tundra, wetlands, and forests. Salix arctica var. araioclada (C.K.Schneid.)

Raup, Salix arctica var. brownei Andersson, Salix arctica var. antiplasta (C.K.Schneid.)

Fernald, Polunin Salix arctica var. pallasii (Andersson), and Salix anglorum var. araioclada (C.K.Schneid) are some of the other kinds of the Arctic willow. Arctic willows are interesting because they have adaptations that allow them to thrive in such a harsh climate.

In this article, we will discuss the features of these plants and their importance in the ecosystem!

Uses Of Arctic Willow

The Arctic willow is eaten by several arctic animals! It provides a haven and nesting habitat for birds and other animals.

Wildlife that can be found feeding on arctic willows includes deer, elk, lemmings, moose, rabbits, Arctic hares, voles, shrews, muskoxen, and muskrats. Animals like the arctic hares and lemmings feed on the bark and twigs—other animals like the ptarmigan feed on the buds.

The Arctic woolly bear moth derives its nutrition from the arctic willow, making it the moth's key host plant.

The moth only lays its eggs on the leaves of this plant. Arctic willow leaves are dark green in color on the bottom and light green in color on the top.

The Arctic willow (Salix purpurea) provides many benefits for the environment as well! It can be used for erosion control, ground stabilization, and wetland restoration. Additionally, the arctic willow improves water quality by filtering pollutants from the water.

The arctic willow (Salix arctica) also has several medicinal uses! It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including toothache, diarrhea, and digestion problems. Arctic willow is also useful to treat wounds.

Humans also make use of the Arctic willow (Salix arctica). The Gwich'in and Inuit use the twigs of this plant to produce fuel.

When the arctic willow flowers are dried or have decayed, they are put together with moss to make wickings for traditional Arctic oil lamps. People also eat parts of the plant as it is a rich source of vitamin C.

Growth Of Arctic Willow

The arctic willow (Salix arctica) grows in bush form or covers an area like a carpet, or grows drooping downwards.

Arctic willows are hardy plants that can tolerate a variety of conditions. They grow best in moist, well-drained soil, but they can also grow in sandy soils.

They typically reach a height of between 6-20 in (15.2-50.8 cm), and they have tiny leaves that are about 1 in (2.5 cm) long. The leaves are small and green with a reddish tint. The flowers of the arctic willow are pink, and they bloom from May to July.

The arctic willow can grow up to 20 in (50.8 cm) high, but it is usually around 6 in (15.2 cm) tall. It does well in moist environments but can also tolerate drier soils.

It should be planted in full sun or partial shade for best results. Arctic willows are a great addition to any landscape, but sometimes they can get out of control if not trimmed regularly. If you have an overgrown arctic willow, it is best to trim it back using hedge, shears, or loopers.

How does the Arctic willow survive in the tundra?

The arctic willow (Salix arctica) has a few adaptations which make survival in the harsh arctic conditions easier.

The arctic willow (Salix arctica) keeps itself close to the ground. It is short and spreads like a carpet on the ground. By doing this, the arctic willow is able to trap heat from the ground and keep itself warm.

Arctic willows are always found in groups in the tundra. They grow close to each other, which increases their chance of survival as they are better protected from the cold and freezing winds.

Since transpiration cools down a plant, Arctic willows also have narrow waxy leaves, which reduces the amount of transpiration. The stems of the plant have long and fuzzy hairs.

This helps to trap heat and acts as a shield against harsh winds. Arctic willows have short, shallow growing roots. This prevents them from growing into the permafrost (ground that is completely frozen).

Food scarcity in the tundra regions has put these plants in the spotlight. They are a basic source of food for several arctic animals and insects. This reduces their lifespan. Over the years, this woody plant has developed the ability to produce pesticides on its own.

Scientific Facts About Arctic Willow

The two different flower parts, male and female flowers, are found in separate plants.

They are called male catkins and female catkins since the plant has catkin inflorescence. The male catkins are yellow in color, whereas the female catkins are pink or red. The female catkins differ from male catkins in their ability to capture heat, making female catkins warmer.

Due to the shape of its leaves, the plant is also called the tongue-shaped plant by the Inuits.

The Arctic willow (Salix arctica) is the only woody plant in the world capable of growing way above the tree line to the northern limit of land on the north coast of Greenland.

Salix arctica grows slowly in the arctic regions. The average lifespan of this species is 80 years. The longest living Salix arctica is in eastern Greenland and is 236 years old.

Apart from being a food source for several animals, Salix arctica has also helped to study the climatic conditions of the Arctic regions. Scientists utilized the growth rings to synthesize climatic data.

An experiment conducted in 2003 showed that the impact of warming on arctic willows (Salix arctica) was not accompanied by significant changes. The changes were only observed in the production of fruits and flowers.