Tufted Saxifrage

Description:

An Arctic specialist, the tufted saxifrage has yellowish-white flowers that grow on 5-10cm long stems. There is a much more low-lying version with greenish-cream flowers that grow on very short stems, which is pictured here. They have a well-developed root system that stores carbohydrates, allowing them to respond quickly to the cold.

Habitat:

Grows on ledges and gravelly areas. Found in the Arctic, though further south than that, it is found in the Alps, Norway, Iceland, Alaska and Canada.

Notes:

I found small tufts of these plants in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard. They were not as common as the purple saxifrage.