Mosses

They grow close to the ground and close together, helping them to resist the effects of cold weather, and reduce damage caused by snow and ice particles driven by the cold winds.

The plants are small and roots are shallow to skim the thin unfrozen layer on top of the permafrost.

Water is lost through the leaf surface, so small leaves help the plants retain moisture.

Plants have the ability to grow under a layer of snow, and to carry out photosynthesis* in extremely cold temperatures.

Some plants, like lichens (right), can survive on bare rock.

They use the long hours of sunlight to develop and produce flowers quickly in the short season.

For warm weather they are normal and growing beautiful flowers until winter comes again.