Tundras are the coldest of the biomes. They are so cold the ground remains frozen all year round—a condition known as permafrost. Plants living there grow low and in clusters, often with small, fuzzy leaves and stems that help conserve heat and moisture. Animals have adapted by growing thick fur or feathers to stay warm.

Plants

Scientific NameCommon NameEOL Web AddressAdditional Resources
Juncus tenuisPoverty Rushhttps://eol.org/pages/631100https://plants.usda.gov/core/plantProfile?symbol=JUTE
Carex eburneaBristleleaf Sedgehttps://eol.org/pages/1124526https://plants.usda.gov/core/plantProfile?symbol=CAEB2
Arctostaphylos uva-ursiBearberry https://eol.org/pages/583640/names
https://plants.usda.gov/core/plantProfile?symbol=ARUV
https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/arcuva/all.html
Eriophorum callitrixArctic Cottongrasshttps://eol.org/pages/1119456https://plants.usda.gov/core/plantProfile?symbol=ERCA13
Cladonia rangiferinaReindeer Lichenhttps://eol.org/pages/196466https://plants.usda.gov/core/plantProfile?symbol=CLRA60

Animals

Scientific NameCommon NameEOL Web AddressAdditional Resources
Lemmus trimucronatusNorth American Brown Lemminghttps://eol.org/pages/11022277 
Vulpes lagopusArctic Foxhttps://eol.org/pages/46559217https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Vulpes_lagopus/
Bubo scandiacusSnowy Owlhttps://eol.org/pages/45510727https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/snowy-owl