The taiga biome – known by some as the Snow Forest – is a fascinating environmental phenomenon; spanning from North America to Eurasia in the highest latitudes, the taiga is an unbelievably difficult place to live, and plants and animals must be uniquely suited to handle the harsh climate and terrain. Surprisingly, there are a number of different plants that can endure the long, brutal winters and short, fleeting summers of the taiga, and they range from large pines to tiny lichens, each serving a role in this amazing ecosystem.
1. Balsam Fir
The Balsam Fir is a common site in the North America taiga, and it is a quintessential favorite for use as a Christmas tree. Their relatively short stature and branches that grow from top to bottom make …show more content…
White Poplar
White poplar trees live fast and die young; they can grow extremely rapidly and are used for paper, shipping crates, and a number of other purposes. Poplars love moisture, which the taiga is more than happy to provide.
14. Hemlock
No – not the poisonous plant. The Hemlock tree is an unrelated evergreen tree that thrives in cold winters and lots of moisture. Common in both Asia and North America, the Hemlock is happily at home in harsh climate of the taiga.
15. Siberian Dwarf Pine
True to its name, the Siberian Dwarf Pine is both short in stature and from the Siberian region of Asia. At their tallest they can reach ten feet, but this can take hundreds or thousands of years (yes, they can live that long!)
16. Willow
Don’t expect to see your classic Weeping Willow in the taiga, but there are many variants of willow that have adapted to the harsh climate. As opposed to their tall brothers, the willows of the taiga are typically ground cover, some averaging only a few inches in height.
17. Wild Rose
The taiga isn’t all tall, hardy trees. The Wild Rose is common in North American parts of the taiga, and its lovely pink flowers are protected from animals by a heavy armor of thorns.
18. Sheep …show more content…
Green Alder
Despite its name, the Green Alder shrub can typically have reddish coloration on its leaves and branches and is found in North American sectors of the taiga. Its small flowers appear quickly during the warm season, and it thrives in moisture.
20. Fireweed
These low-ground plants love the parts of the taiga that have heavy overhead canopy cover, and grow amongst idyllic forest clearings in darker, moist areas. Fireweed is aptly named: it loves to grow in areas that have recently been affected by fires, where it will rapidly cover the ground.
21. Cranberry
Wait…what? Yep, areas of the taiga are more marsh-like and swampy, and so attract plants such as cranberries that thrive in such conditions.
22. Lingonberry
The lingonberry is an essential part of many taiga animals’ meals (and also a favorite for many people!) It is exceptionally hardy, and keeps its leaves year-round, making it an excellent dweller in the taiga.
23. Labrador Tea
Labrador Tea is actually the name of three plants, and you guessed it – the tea that is commonly made from them. They have pretty little white flowers and fuzzy leaves, and can be found in and around boggy areas.
24. Myrica
1. Balsam Fir
The Balsam Fir is a common site in the North America taiga, and it is a quintessential favorite for use as a Christmas tree. Their relatively short stature and branches that grow from top to bottom make …show more content…
White Poplar
White poplar trees live fast and die young; they can grow extremely rapidly and are used for paper, shipping crates, and a number of other purposes. Poplars love moisture, which the taiga is more than happy to provide.
14. Hemlock
No – not the poisonous plant. The Hemlock tree is an unrelated evergreen tree that thrives in cold winters and lots of moisture. Common in both Asia and North America, the Hemlock is happily at home in harsh climate of the taiga.
15. Siberian Dwarf Pine
True to its name, the Siberian Dwarf Pine is both short in stature and from the Siberian region of Asia. At their tallest they can reach ten feet, but this can take hundreds or thousands of years (yes, they can live that long!)
16. Willow
Don’t expect to see your classic Weeping Willow in the taiga, but there are many variants of willow that have adapted to the harsh climate. As opposed to their tall brothers, the willows of the taiga are typically ground cover, some averaging only a few inches in height.
17. Wild Rose
The taiga isn’t all tall, hardy trees. The Wild Rose is common in North American parts of the taiga, and its lovely pink flowers are protected from animals by a heavy armor of thorns.
18. Sheep …show more content…
Green Alder
Despite its name, the Green Alder shrub can typically have reddish coloration on its leaves and branches and is found in North American sectors of the taiga. Its small flowers appear quickly during the warm season, and it thrives in moisture.
20. Fireweed
These low-ground plants love the parts of the taiga that have heavy overhead canopy cover, and grow amongst idyllic forest clearings in darker, moist areas. Fireweed is aptly named: it loves to grow in areas that have recently been affected by fires, where it will rapidly cover the ground.
21. Cranberry
Wait…what? Yep, areas of the taiga are more marsh-like and swampy, and so attract plants such as cranberries that thrive in such conditions.
22. Lingonberry
The lingonberry is an essential part of many taiga animals’ meals (and also a favorite for many people!) It is exceptionally hardy, and keeps its leaves year-round, making it an excellent dweller in the taiga.
23. Labrador Tea
Labrador Tea is actually the name of three plants, and you guessed it – the tea that is commonly made from them. They have pretty little white flowers and fuzzy leaves, and can be found in and around boggy areas.
24. Myrica