Journal

Here is more information on the three flowers we are studying...

Salix Glauca (gray leaf willow) - expanding across the Arctic and is making Greenland more "shrubby."

Salix Glauca (gray leaf willow)
Salix Glauca (gray leaf willow) is one of the three plant species we are studying. It is a very woody shrub.

Salix Glauca (gray leaf willow) female catkin (where all the seeds are)
This Salix Glauca (gray leaf willow) is female because it has a female catkin. This plant is not unisex like most, but actually has a male and female plant.

Vaccinium Uliginosum (blueberry) - before the berry turns blue they are white and referred to as "that which causes the teeth to be removed" because they leave black spots. They are also referred to as Nanuq which means polar bear in Greenlandic. These names were created by the Inuit. The branches can also remove blubber and other stains in clothing in case you ever have a blubber stain you are having a hard time removing.

Vaccinium Uliginosum (blueberry) in bloom
Vaccinium Uliginosum (blueberry) in bloom. The flowers will then close, become hard, and turn into blueberries. The plant from a distance looks purple.

Chamerion Latifolium (Niviarsiaq,river beauty, dwarf fire weed) - locals use this in salads and to make tea. If you cook the leaves they taste like spinach

Chamerion Latifolium (Niviarsiaq,river beauty, dwarf fire weed) before it is in bloom
Chamerion Latifolium (Niviarsiaq,river beauty, dwarf fire weed) before it is in bloom. This flower lives near running water and sandy beaches

Chamerion Latifolium (Niviarsiaq,river beauty, dwarf fire weed) in bloom
Chamerion Latifolium (Niviarsiaq,river beauty, dwarf fire weed) in bloom. This flower lives near running water and sandy beaches

Details
Author
Emily Dodson
Date
Location
Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Expedition
Climate Change and Pollinators in the Arctic
Weather Summary
Sunny and Warm
Temperature
64

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Comments

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 03:01

Lisa Seff

Hi Emily,Nice pictures and info on the plants your studying and thanks for the tip on removing blubber stains, that might come in handy when I'm up in Barrow! -Lisa

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 04:22

Peggy McNeal

Interesting. The gray leaf willow looks very similar to chaparral we have here in Southern California. Is it increasing its range and making Greenland more shrubby due to climate change?

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 14:15

Jillian

Hi Emily,Are there any challenges in Greenland with invasive species? And...is your team also looking at possible changes to these three species as they adapt, or don't adapt to a changing climate? Thanks

Tue, 08/05/2014 - 09:35

Emily Dodson

Not currently, but it is a bit concern for the future due to the climate warming and more people visiting. People have tried to bring in trees and honey bees, but they are not doing well.

Tue, 08/05/2014 - 09:35

Emily Dodson

It has the potential to make Greenland more shrubby because it is making other Arctic areas more shrubby