Arctic Rockcress

Arabidopsis arenosa subsp. arenosa

Arctic Rockcress (Arabidopsis arenosa subsp. arenosa) is a hardy, low-growing subarctic and boreal plant. It is commonly found in the Arctic, the Arctic tundra and Arctic fells. Its succulent leaves, in a distinctive arrowhead-shape, grow to a height of up to 16 inches. Its beautiful four-petaled, white flowers, have been described as “fairy lamps”, and its distinctive three-parted seed capsule often contains hundreds of black seeds. It is drought and salt-tolerant and can adapt to a wide range of conditions, from wet, nutrient-rich meadows to dry, infertile areas. Arctic Rockcress is a valuable resource for pollinators in the Arctic, providing much needed nectar and pollen for bees and other insects.