Grasses

Cottongrass thrives on the tundra in the summertime.

NPS Photo

 

Cottongrass Tussocks

NPS Photo / Kathi Quinn

Grasses and sedges dominate the tundra of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. They play a critical role in local ecology by supporting the food web and nutrient cycle, while also providing habitat for small rodents, insects, and birds. Across the state of Alaska, sedges represent the largest plant genus, with over 150 species, subspecies, and varieties recognized.

Perhaps the most recognizable tundra sedge is cottongrass, named for the fluffy part that develops on the end of its tall stalk after fertilization. There are 14 species of cottongrass in the state, which are often difficult to distinguish between due to variations within species and hybridization. Most have round stems, though a few have triangular stems, which are reported to grow between 1 to 2 feet.

The most common is Tall Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium). They thrive in damp tundra environments and often make up the round tussocks that dot the landscape and make summer tundra hiking such a challenge! Though they have a short growing season, grasses and sedges release their seeds in the fall where they will survive under the snow all winter and sprout again during spring thaw.

 

More Plants at Bering Land Bridge

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  Plants

  Learn more about the wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses at Bering Land Bridge.

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  Wildflowers

  Many small flowering plants show their bloom in the summer.

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  Shrubs

  Willows and birch are common and abundant in the area.

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  Wild Berries

  Many wild berries grow in the tundra.

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  Mosses and Liverworts

  Mosses thrive in the wet tundra, where they draw their nutrients from the shallow ground.

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  Trees

  Trees! You won't see many of them here.