Producers of the Arctic
Lichens
Lichens can survive extreme temperatures such as about 450 degrees Fahrenheit. They are very sensitive to pollution. Lichens are not one organism, they are two, algae and fungi. They can't survive without each other. Lichens are food for caribou. Lichens have adapted to caribou and have been able to blend in with the environment.
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Purple Saxifrage
Arctic WillowArctic willow is also food for arctic hares, caribou and is food for musk ox. They usually grow up to 15 to 20 cm. They are so short do to short growing periods in the winter. Arctic willow is able to grow pesticide to repel insects. It also grows fuzz to protect it from cold temperatures.
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Purple saxifrage is food for arctic hares. They are also food for caribou and the Inuits in the arctic islands in Canada.It contains a lot of vitamin C. These grow in the arctic spring, they last up to 10 to 14 days once in bloom. It doesn't grow that tall so it can survive the winter. There color is really pretty, like a beautiful painting!
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