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 9 underground shrubs DHJanzen101142.jpg high resolution
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| The arctic willow (Salix arctica, Salicacae) is a far cry from the shrubs and even trees that you know as willows in less arctic climates. This plant may easily be many decades old, but all it pokes above the soil into the boundary layer are its inflorescences (on 18 June, during its several weeks when flowering is possible). A browsing mammal may get these inflorescences, but the stems with their stored reserves are safe below the soil, and the dry winter wind will not desiccate them. Its pollen is carried by wind, and some on bumble-bees. Note the Epilobium in the background out of focus at the top left of the image. | ||
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