Heterotrophs
The Bearberry is an evergreen plant that is about 2 ft 8 inches tall. Bearberry is commonly found in dry, non-nutrient soils such as sand, soils on rock outcrops and shallow soils. Bearberry gets its name because bears like to feast on these berries.It is a plentiful plant in the wild that can be found in many different regions in the northern hemisphere.
Caribou Moss grows in the Arctic and northernmost regions of the world and is a gray-green spongy lichen. It uses the sunlight to produce its own food, while the spongy threads surrounding the masses protect the algae. Caribou and Reindeer feed upon this lichen during the coldest months of the year. It is one of the few foods they have to eat when the temperatures drop, and some scientists believe that the lichens are actually killing the caribou and reindeer if the lichen has absorbed any dangerous chemicals or bacteria. This in turn can poison people who consume tainted caribou meat.
The Labrador Tea plant grows up straight in the southern regions of the tundra but grows over the ground like a carpet in the northern areas. Native Americans use the leaves of this plant to brew a tea that is highly rich in Vitamin C. They can also be scattered throughout clothing to keep moths away. Bees are attracted to them but animals do not eat them for they are slightly poisonous.
Tufted Saxifrage is a small perennial plant that grows in thick mats on the tundra. Several flowers sprout form each plant and each flower has 5 petals. A small fruit containing many seeds is contained in the center of the petals. The well developed stem system of the Tufted Saxifrage allows it to store carbohydrates and respond quickly to the changing temperatures.
The Arctic Willow enjoys cold climates and grow as prostrate (prostrate plant is a woody plant, most of the branches of which lie upon or just above the ground, rather than being held erect), shrub, or carpet. It stretches from 52 N to 65 N and from 60 W to 165 W. This plant creates no fruit, however it does produce seeds. Due to the permafrost on the ground, the roots of this plant are very shallow, which makes it very susceptible to root damage. The chemical fertility is also low in soil on the tundra, but the Arctic Willow has been able to adapt the these conditions and is common in the Arctic.