Salix Arctica
This is the Arctic Willow, family Salicaceae, and it is the northernmost-growing woody plant in the world! Ranging from the icy North coast of Greenland to high-altitude conditions in Asian and North American mountain ranges, this hardy willow grows extremely slowly in the harsh conditions, on average it may be 15 centimeters (6 in.) in height, but in easier climates like in the Pacific Northwest American coast, it has been found growing up to 50 cm (20 in) tall! The leaves appear round and shiny, sometimes covered in fuzzy silver hairs. As a member of the willow family, the plant is dioecious with the male and female catkins growing on separate plants. The female flower cluster is red, and the male is yellow.
These small trees can live as long as 275 years as far as we know! The stems are edible, although on older plants the bark may be thick and must be removed.
