Download Common Plants of the North Slope

NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH
Department of Wildlife Management
P.O. Box 69
Barrow, Alaska 99723
Phone: (907) 852-0350
FAX: (907) 852 0351
Taqulik Hepa, Director
Common Plants of the North Slope
Plants are an important subsistence resource for residents across the North Slope. This
document provides information on some of the common plants found on the North
Slope of Alaska, including plants not used for subsistence. Plant names (common,
scientific and Iñupiaq) are provided as well as descriptions, pictures and traditional
uses. The resources used for identification are listed below as well as other resources for
information on plants.
DISCLAIMER: This guide includes traditional uses of plants and other vegetation. The
information is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or be used as a guide for selfmedication. Neither the author nor the North Slope Borough claims that information in this
guide will cure any illness. Just as prescription medicines can have different effects on
individuals, so too can plants. Historically, medicinal plants were used only by skilled and
knowledgeable people, such as traditional healers, who knew how to identify the plants and
avoid misidentifications with toxic plants. Inappropriate medicinal use of plants may result in
harm or death.
LIST OF PLANTS
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Alaska Blue Anemone
Alder / Nunaŋiak or Nunaniat
Alpine Blueberry / Asiat or Asiavik
Alpine Fescue
Alpine Forget-Me-Not
Alpine Foxtail
Alpine Milk Vetch
Alpine Wormwood
Arctic Daisy
Arctic Forget-Me-Not
Arctic Groundsel
Arctic Lupine
Arctic Poppy
Beach Greens
Bearberry / Aŋurvak or Aŋurvat or Kavlaq
Bog Rosemary
Bog Saxifrage
Brook Saxifrage
Chickweed
Coltsfoot / Milukataq, Mapkutitaaġruaq or Milukutakpak
Cordate-leaved Saxifrage
Cotton Grass / Pikniq, Pikniik, Pitniq, or Pitniik or Aqłakataq
Cottonwood or Balsam Poplar
Crowberry or Blackberry / Paunġak, Paunġaq, Pauġat, or Pauġak
Cuckoo Flower
Dwarf Birch
Dwarf Fireweed / Tilaaggik
Eskimo Potato / Masu or Masuqutaq
Finger Lichen / Kivviġiruaq
Fleabane
Glacier Avens
Golden Whitlow Grass
Grained Saxifrage
Hairy Arctic Milk Vetch
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Heather / Piļġaurat, Pilġaurat, Piļaurat, Piļaġaqutaq, or Ikkuqutit
Horsetail
Jacob's Ladder
Kinnickkinnick / Tinnik
Labrador Tea / Papaksraq, Tilaaqiaq, Tilaaqqiq, Tilaaqqit, Tilaakiq, Sakiaguraq or
Sakiagauraq
Lapland Rosebay
Large-flowered Wintergreen
Lingonberry or Lowbush Cranberry / Kimmigñaq, Kimmiŋñaq or Kimmigñauraq
Locoweed / Aigaq
Mare's Tail
Marsh Fleabane
Marsh Marigold
Moss Campion
Mountain Avens
Mountain or Arctic Sorrel / Quŋuliq or Quŋulliq or Quŋulik or Quŋullik
Narrow-leaved Saussurea
Nodding bladder-campion
Nodding Saxifrage
Northern Primrose / Piļġaurat
Northern Rock Jasmine
Northern Water Carpet
Oysterleaf
Paintbrush
Pallas Buttercup
Parry's Wallflower / Masu Aiġaq
Pasque Flower
Pendant Grass / Pikniq
Pink Plumes / Ippiq or Ippigich or Qaqauraq
Polar Grass
Puffball
Purple Mountain Saxifrage
Purple Oxytrope
Reindeer Lichen / Niqaaq
Rock Jasmine
Ross' Sandwort
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Rusty Saxifrage
Salmonberry / Aqpik or Akpik
Scurvygrass
Sedge
Siberian Aster
Snow Buttercup / Taqilakisaaq
Sourdock or Arctic Dock / Quaġaq, Quagaq, Quagak, Quaġak or Quagat
Sphagnum Moss / Uġru
Starwort
Stinkweed / Sargiġruaq or Sargiq or Salgiġruaq
Sudetic Lousewort
Tansy or Lake Huron Tansy
Thrift Seapink
Tufted Saxifrage
Tundra Grass
Tundra Rose
Valerian
Water Sedge
Whitlow Grass
Wild Sweet Pea
Willow / Uqpik or Uqpiich
Wood Rush
Woolly Lousewort / Itqiļiaġruk or Itqiļiaġruaq or Qutliiraq
Yarrow
Yellow Lousewort
4
ALASKA BLUE ANEMONE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Anemone drummondii
Family Name: Ranunculaceae
Description: Erect plant stem, slightly hairy, with ternately-dissected, oblong-linear
leaves, smaller in basal whorl than on stem whorl. Solitary flower on each peduncle,
large flower (10-35 mm diameter), apetalous, sepals ovate and whitish to bluish in color,
many stamens
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry, rocky slopes.
Height: 3-5 inches
Traditional Uses:
Taken by Leslie Pierce near the Kukpowruk River
in June.
5
ALDER
Iñupiaq Name: Nunaŋiak or Nunaniat
Scientific Name: Alnus crispa
Family Name: Betulaceae
Description: Tall shrub with ovate leaves having sharply serrated edges. Height of
shrubs decreases with increasing latitude and/or altitude. Nutlet fruits found in hard
cone-like catkins.
Habitat and NSB locations: Near rivers and streams, in mushy tundra.
Height: Shrubs up to 6-9 feet tall.
Traditional Uses: Outer bark scraped off and dried. Turns red when boiled and dried.
Used for dying skins.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of alder specimen collected for the NSB Arctic Harvest
project in the early 1990's.
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ALPINE BLUEBERRY
Iñupiaq Name: Asiat or Asiavik or Asiaviqutaq
Scientific Name: Vaccinium uliginosum
Family Name: Ericaceae
Description: Dwarf shrub, woody branches; leaves dull green, oblong to round,
smooth margins; flowers bell-shaped, white to pink; berry color varies from blue to dark
blue to almost black.
Habitat and NSB locations: Boggy tundra.
Height: 6 inches or more
Traditional Uses: Berries are eaten as is, or in jam or other foods. Leaves added to tea
for flavor.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of blueberry specimen collected for the NSB Arctic
Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Blueberry. Photo taken by Craig George along the Chandler River.
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ALPINE FESCUE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Festuca brachyphylla
Family Name: Poaceae
Description: Tufted grass, narrow leaves coming up from the base, much shorter than
the flowering stalks; spikelets purplish-green
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy, rocky tundra.
Height: Up to 30 cm (1 ft) tall
Traditional Uses: None known
Alpine fescue. Photo taken by Leslie Pierce south of Teshekpuk Lake in July.
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ALPINE FORGET-ME-NOT
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Myosotis alpestris (Alaska state flower)
Family Name: Boraginaceae
Description: Leaves lance-shaped covered with hairs. Flowers small, blue 5-lobed with
yellow center.
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy or rocky soil or dry tundra.
Height: 6-8+ inches
Traditional Uses: None known
Alpine forget me not. Photo taken by Robert Suydam near Point Hope in August.
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ALPINE FOXTAIL
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Alopecurus alpinus
Family Name: Poaceae
Description: Spikelet is fuzzy and purple-gray.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet sand, gravel or tundra.
Height: Up to 1 ft tall
Traditional Uses: none known
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Alpine foxtail. Photo taken by Leslie Pierce in the Colville River delta in early August
10
ALPINE MILK VETCH
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Astragalus alpinus
Family Name: Fabaceae
Description: Leaves basal; pinnate with 8-11 leaflet pairs, on stems creeping along the
ground. Inflorescence in loose cluster at top of stalk; stalk not much longer than leaves.
Dark blue or bluish-violet flowers, paler at base, in racemes; darker sepals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra or sandy or gravelly areas.
Height: Up to 6 inches tall.
Traditional Uses: None known
Alpine milk vetch. Photo taken by Leslie Pierce near Point Lay in early July.
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ALPINE WORMWOOD
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Artemisia glomerata
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Leaves forming low-lying mat; tri-lobed, hairy. Inflorescence capitate,
densely wooly, with yellow-ish disk flowers.
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy or rocky areas.
Height: 3-4 inches
Traditional Uses: None known
Alpine wormwood. Photo taken by Leslie Pierce near Point Lay in early July.
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ARCTIC DAISY
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum integrifolium
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Small, linear cluster of leaves at base, few along single stem. Single flower
with long, white, 3-toothed ray flowers and bright yellow disc flowers.
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy or rocky areas.
Height: 4-6 inches
Traditional Uses: None known
Arctic daisy. Photo taken by Leslie Pierce south of Teshekpuk Lake.
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ARCTIC FORGET-ME-NOT
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Eritrichium nanum
Family Name: Boraginaceae
Description: Very small leaves covered with white hairs. Flowers small, blue 5-lobed
with yellow center.
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy or rocky soil or dry tundra.
Height: 1-2 inches
Traditional Uses: None known
Arctic forget me not. Photo
taken by Leslie Pierce near
the Kukpowruk River in
June
Arctic forget me not. Photo taken by Jo
Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
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ARCTIC GROUNDSEL
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Senecio atropurpureus
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Leaves mostly basal and hairy with few on flowering stalk. Solitary flower
head with yellow ray flowers and hairy, purplish bracts below.
Habitat and NSB locations: Moist meadows.
Height: Up to 6 inches.
Traditional Uses: None known
Photo: See photo from the Circle District Historical Society webpage.
Arctic groundsel. Taken by
Renee Hoover near Point Lay in
early July.
Arctic groundsel. Photo taken by Jo
Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
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ARCTIC LUPINE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Lupinus arcticus
Family Name: Fabaceae
Description: Leaves palmately arranged, with 7-9 leaflets. Stems covered with white
hairs. Flowers blue or dark blue with hairy sepals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry to damp slopes, gravel bars.
Height: 6-12 inches
Traditional Uses: None known. Plant is poisonous. DO NOT EAT.
Arctic lupine. Photo taken
near Nuiqsut by NSB-DWM
staff.
Arctic Lupine. Photo taken by
Leslie Pierce on the Kukpowruk
River in June.
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ARCTIC POPPY
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Papaver macounii (also have P. hultenii [salmon colored] and P.
lapponicum)
Family Name: Papavaraceae
Description: Highly dissected, green leaves at base; bright yellow flower with four
petals at end of stem.
Habitat and NSB locations: Found in dry places on the tundra or near roadsides,
etc.
Height: About 6-8 inches
Traditional Uses: None known
Arctic poppy. Photo taken by
Renee Hoover near Point Lay in
early July.
Papaver hultenii. Photo taken by Karen Hegyi
near Barrow.
17
BEACH GREENS
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Honckenya peploides
Family Name: Caryophyllaceae
Description: Fleshy, oval, yellow-green leaves. Tiny, inconspicuous, greenish flowers.
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy beaches along the coast of the North Slope.
Height: 2-3 inches
Traditional Uses: Young leaves eaten raw or cooked. Good source of Vitamin C.
Beach greens. Photo taken by Leslie
Pierce near Point Lay in early July.
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BEARBERRY, RED (ALSO BLACK BEARBERRY)
Iñupiaq Name: Aŋurvak or Aŋurvat
Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos rubra (also A. alpina or Black Bearberry or Kavlaq )
Family Name: Ericaceae
Description: Low matted, woody shrub. Spatulate leaves deciduous, thin, leathery,
slightly serrated margins, green with reddish edges. Leaves turn red in the fall. Flowers
are white (or greenish-white) bell-shapes. Fruit is round berry: A. alpina fruit is black
and A. rubra fruit is red.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra or rocky areas.
Height: 2-4 inches
Traditional Uses: Berries eaten as is and made into jams. Used for kidney and
bladder problems.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Red Bearberry and Black Bearberry collected for the
NSB Arctic Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Red Bearberry taken by Leslie Pierce near
the Kukpowruk River in June.
Black Bearberry taken by Craig George
along the Chandler River.
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BOG ROSEMARY
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Andromeda polifolia
Family Name: Ericaceae
Description: Dwarf, woody shrub; narrow green leaves curled under at edges; pink,
urn-shaped flowers, clustered at end of branches on a pink flowering stem.
Habitat and NSB locations: Boggy and wet tundra.
Height: 2-3 inches
Traditional Uses: None known. Plant is poisonous. DO NOT EAT.
Bog rosemary taken by Jo Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
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BOG SAXIFRAGE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Saxifraga hirculus
Family Name: Saxifragaceae
Description: Short plant with a bright yellow flower with orange speckling in the
center of the petals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Grows in wet tundra.
Height: about 3-5 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Bog saxifrage taken by Leslie Pierce south
of Teshekpuk Lake in late July.
Bog saxifrage taken by Leslie Pierce south of
Teshekpuk Lake in late July.
Bog saxifrage taken by Karen Hegyi
near Barrow.
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BROOK SAXIFRAGE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Saxifraga rivularis
Family Name: Saxifragaceae
Description: Low-growing; leaves basal and palmate with 3-7 lobes. Flowers with 5
white to reddish-purplish petals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet areas, snow beds.
Height: 1-2 inches
Traditional Uses: None known
Photo: See this picture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
22
CHICKWEED (OR MOUSE-EAR CHICKWEED)
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Cerastium beeringianum
Family Name: Caryophyllaceae
Description: Mat-like hairy plant with short greenish-yellow leaves. Many branches
with flowers at end of branches; 5 white petals with two lobes (looks like 10 petals),
slightly longer than sepals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy or gravelly areas.
Height: 2-4 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Photo: See this picture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
Chickweed taken by
Sandy Hamilton on the
Colville Delta
Chickweed flower taken by Karen Hegyi
near Barrow.
23
COLTSFOOT
Iñupiaq Name: Milukataq, Mapkutitaaġruaq or Milukutakpak
Scientific Name: Petasites frigidus
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Leaves are toothed and triangular, found near base of plant. Brown in the
spring, turning glossy-green in the summer. Underside of leaves covered with white
fuzz. Flower stalk green or reddish. Flowers white with purplish center, developing long
white bristles near the end of summer.
Height: About 6 to 12 inches.
Habitat and NSB locations: Found in wet areas on the tundra, throughout the North
Slope.
Traditional Uses: The leaves are eaten in salads, used on external sores and arthritis,
and made into a tea for a persistent cough.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Coltsfoot leave specimens collected for the NSB Arctic
Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Coltsfoot early in
the season, taken
by Leslie Pierce
near Barrow.
Field of coltsfoot
later in the season,
taken by Leslie
Pierce near
Barrow.
Coltsfoot taken by Leslie
Pierce in the Colville
River delta in early
August.
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CORDATE-LEAVED SAXIFRAGE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Saxifraga punctata
Family Name: Saxifragaceae
Description: Leaves basal and close to ground; thick, round (cordate) shape with wide
teeth; green with purplish edges; lighter green underneath and fuzzy. Flowers in group
at top of taller, fuzzy stalk, 5 white petals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry areas.
Height: 4-6 inches.
Traditional Uses: Young leaves stored in seal oil and eaten with fish or meat. Good
source of vitamin C and the
precursor to vitamin A.
Saxifraga punctata taken by Leslie
Pierce near Barrow.
Photo taken by Jo Heathcote near
Teshekpuk Lake.
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COTTON GRASS
Iñupiaq Name: Pikniq, Pikniik, Pitniq, or Pitniik or Aqłakataq
Scientific Name: Eriophorum spp. (E. augustifolium or Many-spiked cotton grass, E.
russeolum or Solitary cotton grass, E. scheuchzeri or Scheuchzer's cotton grass, or E.
vaginatum or Hare's tail grass)
Family Name: Cyperaceae
Description: Tall sedge (not a grass) with skinny, grass-like leaves. Spike of brownishyellow flowers which develop into seeds with white cottony hairs by mid-summer. E.
augustifolium has many spike-like "cotton heads" on the stem. The other three species
have a solitary spike. E. vaginatum is smaller with smaller leaves forming a tussock in
drier areas.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry to moist tundra. Often near ponds.
Height: 6-12 inches
Traditional Uses: Lower stems eaten raw or with seal oil.
Cotton Grass taken by Chris Finkler near
Barrow.
Cotton grass near pond taken by Chris
Finkler.
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COTTONWOOD OR BALSAM POPLAR
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Populus balsamifera
Family Name: Salicaceae
Description: Bark gray with deep furrows; green leaves broad lance-shaped, paler
beneath.
Habitat and NSB locations: River valleys south along the Brooks Range.
Height: Up to 40 feet tall
Traditional Uses: none known
Cottonwood taken by Craig George along the Chandler River.
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CROWBERRY OR BLACKBERRY
Iñupiaq Name: Paunġak, Paunġaq, Pauġat, or Pauġak
Scientific Name: Empetrum nigrum
Family Name: Empetraceae
Description: Very short, linear, green leaves on creeping branches. Tiny inconspicuous
flowers. Fruit a large purplish-black berry.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet or boggy tundra.
Height: 2-4 inches
Traditional Uses: Purplish-black berries are eaten as is; leaves used to ignite fire.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Crowberry specimen collected for the NSB Arctic
Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Photo: See this picture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
Crowberries taken by Craig George along the Chandler River.
28
CUCKOO FLOWER
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Cardamine pratensis
Family Name: Brassicaceae
Description: Leaves pinnate; basal leaves with more rounded leaflets, upper leaves
with more linear leaflets. Flowers with 4 petals, white to rose-colored with veins visible,
on tall stalk.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet areas.
Height: Up to 10-12 inches.
Traditional Uses: none known
Cuckoo flower taken by Leslie Pierce in Point Lay in early July.
29
DWARF BIRCH
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Betula nana
Family Name: Betulaceae
Description: Low-lying dwarf shrub; young twigs covered with resin spots. Leaves
dark green, round, with rounded-toothed margins.
Habitat and NSB locations: Boggy tundra. Across the North Slope, except on the
northern coast.
Height: 6-8 inches (B. glandulosa up to 7 feet)
Traditional Uses: none known
Dwarf birch
taken by
Craig George
along the
Chandler
River.
Shrub Birch (or B. glandulosa) taken by
Leslie Pierce on the Kukpowruk River in
June.
30
DWARF FIREWEED OR RIVER BEAUTY
Iñupiaq Name: Tilaaggik
Scientific Name: Epilobium latifolium
Family Name: Onagraceae
Description: Stems low-growing, purplish-gray. Leaves alternate, fleshy, gray-green.
Large flowers at end of stems, petals purple to dark rose; sepals darker.
Habitat and NSB locations: Gravel bars and along streams.
Height: 3-6 inches
Traditional Uses: Leaves used for tea. Young leaves are also eaten raw or boiled.
Flowers used to make honey and jelly.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Dwarf Fireweed specimen collected for the NSB
Arctic Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Dwarf
Fireweed.
Photo taken
by NSBDWM staff
near the
Meade
River.
Dwarf Fireweed. Photo taken by
Renee Hoover near Point Lay in
early July.
31
ESKIMO POTATO OR ALPINE SWEETVETCH
Iñupiaq Name: Masu or Masuqutaq
Scientific Name: Hedysarum alpinum
Family Name: Fabaceae
Description: Tall plant growing from horizontal root; root edible (see Note below).
Leaves pinnate (in oblong pairs) on widely spaced branches; smooth on top with
obvious veins underneath. Pods are smooth and net-veined. Flower stalks are tall; long
clusters of pinkish to purple pea-shaped flowers, narrow near the top.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry, rocky tundra.
Height: 1-2 feet
Traditional Uses: Sweet in September, roots eaten raw or boiled in water or mixed in
soup.
NOTE: Beware, this plant is similar to H. mackenzii (or Wild Sweet Pea) which has
larger, reddish-purple flowers (not in narrow clusters), hairy pods and leaves with
whitish, fuzzy undersides and hidden veins. H. mackenzii can be toxic and cause severe
digestive problems.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Eskimo Potato specimen collected for the NSB Arctic
Harvest project in the early 1990's.
32
FINGER LICHEN
Iñupiaq Name: Kivviġiruaq
Scientific Name: Dactylina arctica
Family Name: Parmeliaceae (in Fungi Kingdom)
Description: Tan to yellowish colored lichen. Often found in a bunch; hollow, rounded
structures.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra; often found with mosses.
Height: 1-2 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Finger lichen taken by Leslie Pierce near Barrow
33
FLEABANE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Erigeron eriocephalus
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Linear, oblong, mostly basal leaves. Solitary flower head on hairy stem;
purplish ray flowers, darker purple sepals, yellowish center (or disk) flowers.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra.
Height: 3-4 inches.
Traditional Uses: None known
Fleabane taken by Leslie Pierce south of
Teshekpuk Lake in late July.
34
GLACIER AVENS
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Geum glaciale
Family Name: Rosaceae
Description: Basal leaves, pinnately dissected with 11-15 leaflet pairs and long silky
hairs. Large flowers with 5 yellow petals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra
Height: 3-4 inches
Traditional Uses: None known
Glacier Avens taken by Leslie Pierce near the Kukpowruk River in June.
35
GOLDEN WHITLOW GRASS
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Draba alpina
Family Name: Brassicaceae
Description: Basal whorl of leaves; oblong to lance-shaped, slightly hairy. Flowering
stem much taller, reddish-tinged; inflorescence dense, small yellow 4-petaled flowers
bunched at top.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry areas.
Height: 2-3 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Golden whitlow grass taken by
Karen Hegyi near Barrow.
36
GRAINED SAXIFRAGE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Saxifraga foliolosa
Family Name: Saxifragaceae
Description: Basal, oblong leaves with several teeth. Single flower with 5 white (to
reddish) petals (clawed near base with yellow spots) at top of tall flowering stalk. Tiny
pink bulbets on stem below flower.
strong>Habitat and NSB locations: Wet, rocky areas or snow beds. Also found along
creeks.
Height: 6 inches.
Traditional Uses: None known
Photo: See this picture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
Grained saxifrage taken south of Teshekpuk Lake by Jo Heathcote
37
HAIRY ARCTIC MILK VETCH
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Astragalus umbellatus
Family Name: Fabaceae
Description: Leaves pinnate, with 7-11 oblong to ovate leaflet pairs. Yellow flowers in
racemes above leaves.
Habitat and NSB locations: Stony slopes or dry meadows.
Height: Up to 1 foot tall.
Traditional Uses: Root edible.
Hairy arctic milk vetch taken by Leslie
Pierce near Point Lay in early July.
Hairy arctic milk vetch taken by Jo
Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
38
HEATHER
Iñupiaq Name: Piļġaurat, Pilġaurat, Piļaurat, Piļaġaqutaq, or Ikkuqutit
Scientific Name: Cassiope tetragona
Family Name: Ericaceae
Description: Tiny leaves close to four-sided branches; reddish-brown early in season,
turning green later. Flowers white, small, bell-shaped at end of branches.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra.
Height: 3-4 inches
Traditional Uses: To make fire and cook without wood (pick older ones, not green );
Also used for incense and to keep mosquitoes away.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Heather specimen collected for the NSB Arctic Harvest
project in the early 1990's.
Heather taken by Renee Hoover near Point Lay in early July.
39
HORSETAIL
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Equisetum spp.
Family Name: Equisetaceae
Description: Brownish stems turning green later in summer. Tough, thick stems
hollow with cylindrical sheaths at nodes along stem. Margins of sheath toothed and
often darker colored. Top of stem with cone-like structure. Some species have branching
at nodes.
Habitat and NSB locations: Moist areas.
Height: 6-8 inches or more.
Traditional Uses: none known
Mare'sTail taken by Jo Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
40
JACOB'S LADDER
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Polemonium spp.
Family Name: Polemoniaceae
Description: Tall plant, leaves pinnately dissected with 10-15 leaflet pairs. Hairy in P.
boreale; not hairy in P. acutiflorum. Flowers large in open inflorescence at end of stem;
petals blue to violet with five lobes and yellow center.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet meadows
Height: 4-10 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Jacob's ladder taken by Renee Hoover near Point Lay in
early July.
Jacob's ladder taken by Renee Hoover near Point Lay in
early July.
41
KINNICKKINNICK
Iñupiaq Name: Tinnik
Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Family Name: Ericaceae
Description: Plant matted, dwarf shrub with trailing woody, branches. Leaves
evergreen, leathery, ovate to spatulate, flat-margined; lustrous above, slightly hairy
below. Flower bell-shaped, white to pink; fruit dull, red, dry and mealy with stone.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra
Height: 2-3 inches
Traditional Uses: Berries are not very tasty, but are eaten boiled and added to other
foods.
Photo: See photo in the USDA Plants Database.
42
LABRADOR TEA
Iñupiaq Name: Papaksraq, Tilaaqiaq, Tilaaqqiq, Tilaaqqit, Tilaakiq, Sakiaguraq or
Sakiagauraq
Scientific Name: Ledum palustre
Family Name: Ericaceae
Description: Low shrub with slightly hairy twigs. Leaves linear, strongly curled
margins; shiny greenish-gray above, wooly below. Flowers in umbel-like clusters at end
of branches, with five white to pinkish petals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry, marshy tundra.
Height: 3-4 inches
Traditional Uses: Leaves for tea flavoring.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Labrador Tea specimen collected for the NSB Arctic
Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Laborador Tea taken by Leslie Pierce
near the Kukpowruk River in June.
Labrador tea taken by Jo Heathcote
south of Teshekpuk Lake in July.
43
LAPLAND ROSEBAY
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Rhododendron lapponicum
Family Name: Ericaceae
Description: Low dwarf shrub, thick woody stems; leaves dark greenish-gray, ovate to
oblong, covered on both sides with resin dots. Flowers in loose clusters at end of
branches, five purplish petals with long purplish stamens.
Habitat and NSB locations: Stony areas, dry or wet.
Height: 3-4 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Lapland Rosebay taken by
Leslie Pierce near the
Kukpowruk River in June.
44
LARGE-FLOWERED WINTERGREEN
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Pyrola grandiflora
Family Name: Pyrolaceae
Description: Leaves thick, rounded; flowers large, 5 petals white or greenish-white
with protruding curved, style. Anthers yellow.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra
Height: 3-4 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Large flowered wintergreen taken
by Leslie Pierce south of Teshekpuk
Lake in late July.
45
LINGONBERRY OR LOWBUSH CRANBERRY
Iñupiaq Name: Kimmigñaq, Kimmiŋñaq or Kimmigñauraq
Scientific Name: Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Family Name: Ericaceae
Description: Low-matted plant with small, oval, evergreen leaves of glossy green (or
reddish to burgundy); small, pink, bell-shaped flowers with small red berries in clusters
at end of branches.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry meadows.
Height: 1-2 inches
Traditional Uses: Berries eaten freshly picked or made into jam. Leaves and stems
boiled for tea.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Lingonberry specimen collected for the NSB Arctic
Harvest project in the early
1990's.
Lingonberries taken by Leslie
Pierce south of Teshekpuk Lake
in late July.
Lingonberry flower taken by Jo Heathcote south
of Teshekpuk Lake.
46
LOCOWEED
Iñupiaq Name: Aigaq
Scientific Name: Oxytropis borealis
Family Name: Fabaceae
Description: Leaves pinnately dissected, with 8-12 leaflet pairs. Inflorescence a
raceme with 5-10 flowers. Flowers pale blue with pointed keel (Astragalus flowers have
blunt keel).
Habitat and NSB locations: Found along rivers on dry tundra.
Height: Up to 6 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Photo: See this picture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
47
MARE'S TAIL
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Hippuris vulgaris
Family Name: Haloragaceae
Description: Stout stem with whorls of 6-12 pale green, thin leaves at internodes.
Habitat and NSB locations: Shallow water.
Height: 6 inches or more
Traditional Uses: none known
Photo: See this picture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
Mare's Tail taken by Leslie Pierce near Point Lay
48
MARSH FLEABANE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Senecio congestus
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Tall plant with fuzzy, reddish, hollow stems; large fuzzy green leaves,
lance-shaped with toothed indentations. Flower heads in clumps at top of stems,
covered with hairs; yellow ray and disk flowers.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet areas
Height: 1-3 feet
Traditional Uses: none known
Marsh Fleabane taken by
Chris Finkler near
Barrow
49
MARSH MARIGOLD
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Caltha palustris
Family Name: Ranunculaceae
Description: Long stem emerging from water or running along wet tundra. Few leaves
along stem; rounded or kidney-shaped. Flowers have 5 yellow sepals with greenish
center.
Habitat and NSB locations: Submerged in pond or very moist areas.
Height: 4-6 inches, or several inches above the water.
Traditional Uses: The long white roots are eaten boiled. Leaves can be eaten when
cooked, but are poisonous when raw.
Marsh Marigold taken by Leslie Pierce near Point Lay in early July.
50
MOSS CAMPION
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Silene acaulis
Family Name: Caryophyllaceae
Description: Dense mat of short, linear, flat, green leaves; tube flowers with 5-lobed,
pink to purple petals and darker sepals
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy areas.
Height: Up to 3 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Moss campion taken by Lindsey Kendall near Point Lay in early July.
51
MOUNTAIN AVENS OR ARCTIC DRYAD
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Dryas integrifolia
Family Name: Roseaceae
Description: Low growing plant with small, narrow, dark green leaves; shiny above
and hairy below; edges slightly rolled under. Large flowers with eight white petals and
yellow stamens; seeds with long white hairy plumes.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry to moist tundra.
Height: 2-3 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Mountain avens taken by
Leslie Pierce near the
Kukpowruk River in June.
Mountain avens taken by
Jo Heathcote south of
Teshekpuk Lake
Mountain Avens
taken by Leslie Pierce in the Colville River delta in
early August.
52
MOUNTAIN OR ARCTIC SORREL
Iñupiaq Name: Quŋuliq or Quŋulliq or Quŋulik or Quŋullik
Scientific Name: Oxyria digyna
Family Name: Polygonaceae
Description: Leaves round or kidney-shaped, low growing; bright red in early
summer, turning green by mid-summer. Flowers clustered on taller red stalk, with
small, dark pink petals and sepals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Near creeks or streams, wet areas.
Height: 8-12 inches
Traditional Uses: Leaves good source of vitamin C; eaten raw or soaked in seal oil.
Can also make tea by boiling leaves, plus add a few red flowering stems for a nice pink
color and sugar to sweeten. Can be a chilled as well. Root not eaten.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Mountain Sorrel specimen collected for the NSB
Arctic Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Oxyria digyna taken by Leslie Pierce near Freshwater Lake, Barrow
53
NARROW-LEAVED SAUSSUREA
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Saussurea viscida
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Long, lance-shaped leaves radiating out from stem. Flowers growing up
from the center; purple petals with hairy, black bracts.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra.
Height: 3-4 inches.
Traditional Uses: none known
Narrow-leaved saussurea taken
by Leslie Pierce south of
Teshekpuk Lake
Narrow-leaved saussarea taken by Jo Heathcote
south of Teshekpuk Lake
54
NODDING BLADDER-CAMPION
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Melandrium apetalum
Family Name: Caryophyllaceae
Description: Leaves linear, smaller along stem than at base. Single oval flower
drooping on stem, with inflated sepals, lilac petals slightly longer than sepals. Usually
more than one plant growing together. M.affine has green inflated sepals and white
petals protuding from the oval flower.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra.
Height: 8-12 inches.
Traditional Uses: none known
Melandrium apetalum taken by Chris
Finkler near Barrow.
Melandrium affine taken by Renee Hoover in Point
Lay in early July.
55
NODDING SAXIFRAGE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Saxifraga cernua
Family Name: Saxifragaceae
Description: Small plant with a single white flower at the tip of the stem. Rosette of
bright, green, 5-7 lobed leaves at the base with small purplish leaves and bulbets along
the stem.
Habitat and NSB locations: Found in gravelly areas on the tundra.
Height: Up to about 4" tall.
Traditional Uses: none known
Nodding saxifrage taken by Chris
Finkler near Barrow.
Nodding saxifrage (among Coltsfoot
leaves) taken by Leslie Pierce near
Barrow.
56
NORTHERN PRIMROSE
Iñupiaq Name: Piļġaurat
Scientific Name: Primula borealis
Family Name: Primulaceae
Description: Leaves small, ovate, slightly toothed, growing at base. Flowering stem
taller; tube flowers clustered at top with five lilac to white bi-lobed petals and yellow
tube.
Habitat and NSB locations: Salty shorelines.
Height: 3-4 inches.
Traditional Uses: none known
Primula borealis taken by Leslie Pierce near Point Lay in early July.
57
NORTHERN ROCK JASMINE OR PYGMYFLOWER
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Androsace septentrionalis
Family Name: Primulaceae
Description: Leaves in basal whorl, oblong to lance-shaped, slightly toothed. Plant
with several flowering stalks, green to reddish; flowers in cluster at top. Small, tubeshaped flowers with white, 5-lobed petals with yellow center. Green sepals with reddish
edges.
Habitat and NSB locations: Rocky areas
Height: 3-4 inches
Traditional Uses:
Taken by Leslie Pierce in Point Lay in June.
58
NORTHERN WATER CARPET
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Chrysosplenium tetrandrum
Family Name: Saxifragaceae
Description: Light green leaves rounded and kidney-shaped with shallow lobes;
flowers with green sepals; cup-like fruit with brown, smooth seeds visible.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet areas.
Height: 3 inches.
Traditional Uses: none known
Northern water carpet taken by Leslie Pierce south of Teshekpuk Lake.
59
OYSTERLEAF
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Mertensia maritima
Family Name: Boraginaceae
Description: Succulent (fleshy), oval, blue-green leaves on trailing stems along the
ground. Small, blue flowers in clusters at end of stems.
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy, gravelly beaches along the coastal areas of the
North Slope.
Height: 2-3"
Traditional Uses: none known
Mertensia
maritima
taken by Chris
Finkler near
Barrow.
60
PAINTBRUSH
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Castilleja caudata
Family Name: Scrophulariaceae
Description: Plant with single stem; leaves alternate, lance-shaped, slightly hairy.
Flowers greenish-yellow with yellowish hairs.
Habitat and NSB locations: Tundra meadows or along streams.
Height: 6-8 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Photo: See thispicture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
Taken by Leslie Pierce near Point Lay in early July. Paintbrush (yellow flowers,
Castilleja caudata) mixed with dwarf fireweed.
61
PALLAS' BUTTERCUP
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Ranunculus pallasii
Family Name: Ranunculaceae
Description: Plant submerged in pond; leaves club-shaped to 3-lobed; white flowers
float on surface.
Habitat and NSB locations:
Height:
Traditional Uses: none known
Pallas' buttercup taken by Karen Hegyi near Barrow.
62
PARRY'S WALLFLOWER
Iñupiaq Name: Masu Aiġaq
Scientific Name: Parrya nudicaulis
Family Name: Brassicaceae
Description: Leaves all basal; oblong to spatulate, slightly toothed, grayish-green.
Flower stalk leafless; loose raceme of large purple to lavender flowers; tube flowers with
4 lobes, tube lighter in color; sepals shorter than tube and darker in color.
Habitat and NSB locations: Moist, sandy or rocky areas.
Height: 6-8 inches
Traditional Uses: Roots and leaves are
edible.
Parry's wallflower taken by Leslie Pierce near
the Kukpowruk River in June.
Parry's wallflower taken by Jo
Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
63
PASQUE FLOWER
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Pulsatilla patens
Family Name: Ranunculaceae
Description: Leaves and stem covered with silky hairs. Leaves highly divided (2 or 3parts with many segments) with hairs on the margins. Single, large flower with 5 light
blue or purple petals, with dark stamens and yellowish centers.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry, sandy areas.
Height: 4-5 inches.
Traditional Uses: none known
Pasque flower taken by Jo Heathcote
south of Teshekpuk Lake.
64
PENDANT GRASS OR ARCTIC PENDANT GRASS
Iñupiaq Name: Pikniq
Scientific Name: Arctophila fulva
Family Name: Poaceae
Description: Yellowish-green stems; flowers in large open, drooping panicles. Turn
bright red in the fall.
Habitat and NSB locations: Lakeshores and stream banks, in shallow water.
Height: 1-2 feet high.
Traditional Uses: none known
Photo: See this picture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
Arctophila taken by Karen Hegyi near Barrow.
65
PINK PLUMES
Iñupiaq Name: Ippiq or Ippigich or Qaqauraq
Scientific Name: Polygonum bistorta (also P. viviparum)
Family Name: Polygonaceae
Description: Leaves long, thick and elliptical-shaped; dark green above, gray below;
edges curled under slightly. Flower spike on green to reddish-brown stalk taller than
leaves; tight cluster of pink flowers with dark anthers. P. viviparum with flowers near
bottom of spike that develop into bulbs.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet places, snowbeds.
Height: 12-18 inches
Traditional Uses: Young leaves are put in seal oil or eaten raw in salads. Roots can be
cooked or eaten raw. Leaves contain vitamin C and the precursor to vitamin A. Used as
an astringent.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of pink plumes collected for the NSB Arctic Harvest
project in the early 1990's.
Pink plumes taken by Leslie
Pierce near Point Lay in early
July.
Pink plumes taken by Jo Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
66
POLAR GRASS
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Arctagrostis latifolia
Family Name: Poaceae
Description: Grass with stout stem; leaves mostly along stem, up to 1 cm broad.
Flowers in panicle, mostly purplish.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet meadows or along rivers, ponds or streams.
Height: 1-2 feet
Traditional Uses: none known
Photo: See this picture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
Arctagrostis taken by
Leslie Pierce south of
Teshekpuk Lake.
67
PUFFBALL
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name:
Family Name: Lycoperdaceae (Kingdom Fungi)
Description:
Habitat and NSB locations: Moist tundra.
Height: 1-2 inches.
Traditional Uses: Edible when young (white in the middle); pithy and full of
powdered spores when older. NOTE: Mushrooms can be difficult to identify. Do not eat
any wild mushrooms unless an expert has identified them for you.
Puffball taken by Leslie Pierce south of Teshekpuk Lake.
68
PURPLE MOUNTAIN SAXIFRAGE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Saxifraga oppositifiolia
Family Name: Saxifragaceae
Description: Low-growing, mat-forming plant; many branches covered with dense,
short, opposite, tiny dark green leaves in 4 rows; leaves oblong with keel. Flowers sitting
on end of stem; petals reddish-violet to purple with 5 petals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Moist gravelly or rocky areas.
Height: 1 to 2 1/2 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Purple mountain saxifrage taken by Leslie Pierce near the Kukpowruk River in June.\
69
PURPLE OXYTROPE
Iñupiaq Name: Aiġaq
Scientific Name: Oxytropis nigrescens
Family Name: Fabaceae
Description: Leaves and stems with long, gray hairs; low-lying plant with 9-13 foliate
leaves, leaflets oblong to ovate; 2-4 flowers on pedicel; calyx densely covered with black
hairs; petals purplish to blue.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry, rocky areas.
Height: 1-2 inches
Traditional Uses:
Taken by Leslie Pierce near Point Lay.
70
REINDEER LICHEN
Iñupiaq Name: Niqaaq
Scientific Name: Cladonia rangiferina
Family Name: Cladoniaceae (in Fungi Kingdom)
Description: Light-colored (grayish-whitish) lichen, with many branches
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra.
Height: 1-2 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Reindeer lichen taken by Leslie Pierce near Barrow
71
ROCK JASMINE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Androsace chamaejasme
Family Name: Primulaceae
Description: Rosette of small, hairy, fleshy, linear to oblong leaves. Two to four
flowers on top of stalk; tube flowers with white petals and yellow center; sometimes
pinkish.
Habitat and NSB locations: Rocky areas.
Height: About 3 inches.
Traditional Uses: none known
Rock
Jasmine
taken by
Leslie Pierce
near Point
Lay in early
July.
Rock Jasmine taken by Jo Heathcote south of
Teshekpuk Lake.
72
ROSS' SANDWORT
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Minuartia rossii
Family Name: Caryophyllaceae
Description: Leaves short, linear, blunt and triangular in cross-section; packed
together in bunches. Flowers solitary, sepals purplish; petals white.
Habitat and NSB locations: Rocky, dry areas.
Height: 2-3 inches.
Traditional Uses: none known
Ross Sandwort taken by Jo Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
73
RUSTY SAXIFRAGE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Saxifraga hieracifolia
Family Name: Saxifragaceae
Description: Leaves oblong, broad, thick and slightly toothed. Flowering stalk much
taller than leaves and very stiff, covered with hairs; flowers greenish to purple along top
of stalk; sepals and petals triangular-shaped.
Habitat and NSB locations: Moist tundra.
Height: 6-18 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Rusty saxifrage taken by Leslie Pierce near Barrow.
74
SALMONBERRY (OR CLOUDBERRY)
Iñupiaq Name: Aqpik or Akpik
Scientific Name: Rubus chamaemorus
Family Name: Roseaceae
Description: Leaves large, rounded, palmately-lobed; green above with reddish edges.
Single flower large with 5 white petals; berries shaped like raspberries, start out reddishtinged and hard, ripen into juicy, salmon-colored berry. Male and female flowers on
different plants.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet tundra or bogs.
Height: 2-4 inches
Traditional Uses: Eaten freshly picked or boiled, or they were stored in oil. Today
they are made into jam, pies or other desserts.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Salmonberry specimen collected for the NSB Arctic
Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Salmonberry taken by
Leslie Pierce near Point
Lay in early July.
Salmonberry taken by Leslie Pierce south of Teshekpuk Lake.
75
SCURVYGRASS
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Cochlearia officinalis
Family Name: Brassicaceae
Description: Leaves spade-shaped in a small flattened rosette near the ground. Groups
of white flowers at the end of long stems
Habitat and NSB locations: Gravelly locations throughout the coastal areas of the
North Slope.
Height: About 2-3".
Traditional Uses: Leaves are a good source of Vitamin C. Eaten raw or boiled.
Scurvy grass taken by Leslie Pierce near
Barrow.
76
SEDGE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Carex spp. (C. atrofusca, C. bigelowii, C. capillaris, C. chordorrhiza,
C. glacialis, C. glareosa, C. loliacea, C. lugens, C. lyngbyei, C. media, C. misandra, C.
membranacea, C. nardina, C. obtusata, C. ramenskii, C. rariflora, C. rostrata, C.
rotundata, C. rupestris, C. saxatilis, C. scirpoidea, C. subspathacea, C. stans, C.
tenuiflora, C. vaginata and others) (see Water Sedge, C. aquatilis, below)
Family Name: Cyperaceae
Description: Grass-like leaves on strong stems, usually triangular, sometimes
rounded. Flowers in one to several large, stiff spikes at end of stem (or culm); brown or
blackish to green. Some species have male and female spikes, with the male spike
generally located at the top of the stem. Carex species have a bract below each female
flower.
Habitat and NSB locations: Usually found in moist areas, but some species are
found in dry areas.
Height: From 2 inches to 1 foot or more.
Traditional Uses: none known
Sedge taken by Leslie Pierce near the
Kukpowruk River in June.
Sedge taken by Jo Heathcote near
Teshekpuk Lake.
Sedge taken by Jo Heathcote near
Teshekpuk Lake.
77
SIBERIAN ASTER
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Aster sibiricus
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Leaves oblong to lance-shaped; serrated on edge near tip. Large flower
head with purple ray flowers and yellow disk flowers in center.
Habitat and NSB locations: Rocky areas.
Height: 6-8 inches
Traditional Uses: none known:
Siberian aster taken by Jo Heathcote near Teshekpuk Lake.
78
SNOW BUTTERCUP
Iñupiaq Name: Taqilakisaaq
Scientific Name: Ranunculus nivalis (also have R. pygmaeus, dwarf buttercup,
and R. pallasii)
Family Name: Ranunculaceae
Description: Bright green, 3 to 5-lobed leaves and bright yellow flowers. Usually the
first flower to bloom for the season.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet meadows or areas.
Height: About 3" high, but can shoot up to 8" in height later in the summer.
Traditional Uses: None known. Plant is poisonous. DO NOT EAT.
Snow buttercups
taken by Leslie
Pierce near
Barrow.
Snow buttercup taken by Jo Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
Dwarf buttercup taken by Leslie Pierce near NARL
outside of Barrow in June.
79
SOURDOCK OR ARCTIC DOCK OR WILD SPINACH
Iñupiaq Name: Quaġaq, Quagaq, Quagak, Quaġak or Quagat
Scientific Name: Rumex arcticus
Family Name: Polygonaceae
Description: Leaves oblong to lance-shaped; green turning reddish through summer.
Tall flowering stem tough and reddish at base. Inflorescence a panicle of small greenish
to reddish flowers.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet marsh
Height: 10-14 inches
Traditional Uses: Leaves, the younger green ones, are edible and slightly sour. Eaten
raw or soaked in seal oil. Root is used for medicinal tea.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Sourdock specimen collected for the NSB Arctic
Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Sourdock taken by Chris Finkler near
Barrow.
Sourdock taken by Steve Hastings
near Barrow.
80
SPHAGNUM MOSS
Iñupiaq Name: Uġru
Scientific Name: Sphagnum spp.
Family Name: Sphagnaceae
Description: Stems form a thick mat, leaves in rosettes around the flexible stems.
Color varies from yellows to reds to greens.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet, boggy areas.
Height:3-4 inches
Traditional Uses: Used for diapering material for infants.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Sphagnum specimen collected for the NSB Arctic
Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Photo of Sphagnum moss with a few grasses and
mushrooms. Photo by Chris Finkler near Barrow.
Close up picture of Sphagnum moss. Photo by
Karen Hegyi near Barrow.
81
STARWORT
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Stellaria spp. (S. humifusa and S. laeta)
Family Name: Caryophyllaceae
Description: Leaves small, lance-shaped, slightly hairy, in pairs along slender stem.
Flowers small with 6 bi-lobed white petals.
Habitat and NSB locations: Moist areas.
Height: 3-4 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Stellaria taken by Jo Heathcote south
of Teshekpuk Lake in July
82
STINKWEED OR WILD SAGE
Iñupiaq Name: Sargiġruaq or Sargiq or Salgiġruaq
Scientific Name: Artemisia tilesii
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Leaves deeply divided into 3-5 "teeth," green to gray-green; spike of
small yellowish-brown flowers.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra or sandy, rocky areas.
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Traditional Uses: Dry leaves or freeze. Boil in water. Drink 1 cup for colds,
congestion, and sore throats, or chew and swallow juice only. Brown leaves picked in full
are powdered and used as poultice on infected sores and cuts.
IHLC Specimen: Photo of Stinkweed specimen collected for the NSB Arctic
Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Stinkweed taken by Leslie Pierce near
Point Lay in early July.
Stinkweed taken by Leslie Pierce in Colville River Delta in
early August.
83
SUDETIC LOUSEWORT
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Pedicularis sudetica
Family Name: Scrophulariaceae
Description: Leaves basal, small and pinnately dissected. Flower spike dense, hairy;
top petal pink with purple apex; lower petal whitish to pink with dark pink spots.
Habitat and NSB locations: Wet tundra.
Height: 3-4 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Sudetic lousewort taken by Jo Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
84
TANSY OR LAKE HURON TANSY
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Tanacetum bipinnatum or Chrysanthemum bipinnatum
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Stem single. Leaves 2-3 times pinnately dissected. Solitary flower head;
yellow; hairy bracts.
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy areas.
Height: 6-8 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Tansy taken by Leslie Pierce in the Colville
River delta in early August.
Tansy taken by Jo Heathcote south of
Teshekpuk Lake.
85
THRIFT SEAPINK
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Armeria maritima
Family Name: Plumbaginaceae
Description: Small,tufted plant with tall flowering stems; small, linear, grayishgreen leaves. Flowers in short hemispherical, tight spikelets; petals pink to purple.
Habitat and NSB locations: Found near shorelines in dry, sandy areas.
Height: 4-5 inches
Traditional Uses:
Taken by Jo Heathcote south of
Teshekpuk Lake.
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TUFTED SAXIFRAGE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Saxifraga caespitosa
Family Name: Saxifragaceae
Description: Small, lobed, green leaves with reddish edges growing in tuft or cushion.
Tiny white flowers held up above the cushion at the end of reddish stems.
Habitat and NSB locations: Found in dry areas on the tundra.
Height: ~ 2 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Saxifraga caespitosa taken by Leslie Pierce near Barrow.
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TUNDRA GRASS
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Dupontia fischeri
Family Name: Poaceae
Description: Grass with yellow-green inflorescence, often with purplish tinge.
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy or wet areas, or near beaches.
Height: Up to 1 foot high.
Traditional Uses: none known
Photo: See this picture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
Taken by Leslie Pierce south of Teshekpuk
Lake.
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TUNDRA ROSE OR ARCTIC CINQUEFOIL
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Potentilla hyparctica
Family Name: Roseaceae
Description: Low-lying plant; leaves are dark green and 3-lobed; deeply toothed and
hairy. Flowers have 5 bright yellow petals
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra.
Height: 3 inches.
Traditional Uses: Leaves used for tea.
Tundra rose taken by Leslie Pierce near
Barrow.
Tundra rose taken by Karen Hegyi near
Barrow.
Tundra rose taken by Jo Heathcote south
of Teshekpuk Lake.
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VALERIAN
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Valeriana capitata
Family Name: Valerianaceae
Description: Single stem with pairs of leaves at nodes. Leaves broad, lance-shaped, 3lobed, middle larger lobe slightly toothed. Flowers in dense cap at top of stem; white to
lilac, narrow, tubular-shaped.
Habitat and NSB locations: Moist tundra.
Height: 8-12 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Valeriana taken by Leslie Pierce in
the Colville River delta in early
August.
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WATER SEDGE
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Carex aquatilis
Family Name: Cyperaceae
Description: Long, grass-like leaves on thick, rounded stems. Flowers in several large,
stiff spikes at end of stem (or culm); brown or blackish; two green leaf-like bracts
extending beyond spikes.
Habitat and NSB locations: Marshy areas and ponds.
Height: 1 foot or more
Traditional Uses: none known
Water sedge taken by
Leslie Pierce south of
Teshekpuk Lake.
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WHITLOW GRASS
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Draba nivalis (see D. alpina, Golden Whitlow Grass, above)
Family Name: Brassicaceae
Description: Basal whorl of leaves; oblong to lance-shaped, slightly hairy. Flowering
stem much taller, reddish-tinged; inflorescence dense, small white 4-petaled flowers
bunched at top.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry areas.
Height: 2-3 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Whitlow grass taken by Leslie Pierce near
Barrow.
Draba taken by Leslie Pierce in Point Lay in
June (may be D. cinerea or D. borealis)
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WILD SWEET PEA
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Hedysarum mackenzii
Family Name: Fabaceae
Description: Stems mostly unbranched; leaves pinnately dissected with 3 to 7 leaflet
pairs; leaves hairy below. Inflorescence much higher than leaves; large flowers purple to
dark purple;
Habitat and NSB locations: Rocky slopes, gravel bars.
Height: 6-18 inches
Traditional Uses: Not the edible species. H. mackenzii is thought to be poisonous.
The edible Masu is H. alpinum which is found farther south.
Photo: See this picture on the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
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WILLOW
Iñupiaq Name: Uqpik or Uqpiich
Scientific Name: Salix spp. (S. alaxensis or Felt-leaf willow, S. arbusculoides, S.
arctica or Arctic Willow, S. glauca, S. lanata, S. pulchra, S. reticulata or Net-veined
Willow, or S. rotundifolia or Round-leaved Willow)
Family Name:Salicaceae
Description: Leaves on willows vary from small, rounded, netted (S. arctica, S.
reticulata or S. rotundifolia) to large, lance-shaped (S. alaxensis, S. arbusculoides, S.
glauca or S. pulchra) to large and oval-shaped (S. lanata). Flowers in long catkins; male
and female catkins on separate plants. Male catkins usually fuzzier, with long stamens
(some red-tipped); female catkins usually harder or more firm, fruits turning to seeds
with long hairs.
Habitat and NSB locations: Dry tundra
Height: From several inches in height (S. arctica, S. reticulata or S. rotundifolia) to tall
shrubs 4 feet or higher (S. alaxensis, S. arbusculoides, S. glauca, S. lanata or S.
pulchra).
Traditional Uses: Young leaves and shoots high in vitamin C. Put leaves in seal oil
and eat; good with meat; taste like Iqpik. Chew and lay on bee sting. The bark of willows
contains salicylic acid (found in aspirin). Peel outer bark and suck out juice.
IHLC Specimens: Photo of Salix arctica specimen and Salix alaxensis
collected for the NSB Arctic Harvest project in the early 1990's.
Photo: See these photos from the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas: S. alaxensis, S.
arbusculoides, S. arctica, S. glauca, S. pulchra, S. reticulata, S. rotundifolia,
Taken by Chris
Finkler near
Barrow, willow
shrub about 8-10
inches in height.
94
Male willow catkins taken by
Leslie Pierce near Barrow.
Male willow catkins taken by Jay St. Vincent
near Barrow on June 15, 2008.
Male willow catkins taken by Karen Hegyi
near Barrow.
Female willow catkins, taken by Chris
Finkler near Barrow.
95
Female willow catkins, taken by Leslie Pierce near
Barrow.
Willow catkins, female, taken by Jo
Heathcote south of Teshekpuk Lake.
Male catkins on tall willow shrub
taken by Leslie Pierce on the
Kukpowruk River in June.
96
WOOD RUSH
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Luzula arctica (also L.confusa)
Family Name: Juncaceae
Description: Tufts of grass-like purplish-gray, narrow leaves, mostly basal; flowers in
a dense cap or spike, dark grayish to violet.
Habitat and NSB locations: Moist tundra or beachside cliffs
Height: 4-6 inches
Traditional Uses: none known
Photo: See plant profile in the USDA Plant Database. See this picture of L.confusa on
the Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
97
WOOLLY LOUSEWORT
Iñupiaq Name: Itqiļiaġruk or Itqiļiaġruaq or Qutliiraq
Scientific Name: Pedicularis lanata (also have P. kanei)
Family Name: Scrophulariaceae
Description: Fern-like leaves near base of plant. Flower stalk starts out as fuzzy,
greenish-gray "pom-pom"; dark pink flowers open all over the "woolly" stalk.
Height: About 3 to 5".
Habitat and NSB locations: Found in higher, drier areas on the tundra, throughout
the North Slope.
Traditional Uses: Root is used as a starchy food, eaten raw by itself, or with seal
oil. Flowers are edible.
Woolly lousewort buds taken by Karen
Hegyi near Barrow.
Woolly lousewort
taken by Leslie
Pierce near
Barrow.
Lousewort taken by Lindsey Kendall near Point Lay in early July.
May be P. kanei or P.
langsdorffii.
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YARROW
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Achillea borealis
Family Name: Asteraceae
Description: Fuzzy leaves, that are long, narrow and highly dissected. Flowers in
clusters a the top of stems (a corymb), small white ray flowers (3-4 mm long petals).
Dark margins around the base of the flowers.
Habitat and NSB locations: Sandy soils and meadows.
Height: Up to about 1 foot
Traditional Uses:
Photo: See this drawing on the USDA Plants Database.
99
YELLOW LOUSEWORT OR CAPITATE LOUSEWORT
Iñupiaq Name:
Scientific Name: Pedicularis capitata
Family Name: Scrophulariaceae
Description: Basal leaves, pinnately dissected; leaves along stem less dissected.
Infloresence a cap at top of stem; sepals leaf-like, petals yellowish-colored; upper lip
turning rose-colored, larger and curved; lower lip 3-lobed.
Habitat and NSB locations: Rocky, dry areas.
Height: 3-4 inches
Traditional Uses: Flowers eaten occasionally.
Capitate Lousewort taken by Lyndsay Kendall
near Point Lay in early July.
Capitate lousewort taken by Jo Heathcote south
of Teshekpuk Lake.
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PLANT RESOURCES
ARTICLES
Cortes-Burns et al. 2009. Rare vascular plants of the North Slope. BLM Alaska
Technical Report 58.
BOOKS
Garibaldi, A. 1999. Medicinal Flora of the Alaska Natives. Alaska Native Heritage
Program. University of Alaska Anchorage. 197 pp. Available online at
http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/botany/medicinal-flora-of-the-alaska-natives/.
Hultén, E. 1968. Flora of Alaska and Neighboring Territories: A manual of the
vascular plants. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. 1008 pp.
Johnson, M.J. 1995. Barrow Wildflower Sketchbook: flowering plants of Barrow,
Alaska. North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, Barrow, Alaska. 18
pp.
Jones, A. 2010. Plants That We Eat: Nauriat Niġiñaqtuat. 2nd edition. University of
Alaska Press, Fairbanks, Alaska. 241 pp.
Pielou, E. C. 1994. A Naturalist’s Guide to the Arctic. University of Chicago Press:
Chicago and London.
Pratt, Verna E. 1989. Field Guide to Alaskan Wildflowers. Alaskakrafts, Inc: Anchorage,
Alaska.
POSTER
Ecosystems of Northern Alaska Poster Produced by Torre Jorgenson, ABR, Inc.,
Fairbanks, AK, and Michael Heiner, The Nature Conservancy, Seattle, WA.
WEBSITES
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Alaska Native Heritage Program: Botany Here you will find information on rare
and invasive plant species in Alaska.
Arctic Data Here you will find access to data collected and developed through the
activities of the Conservation of Arctic Flora & Fauna (CAFF) and Protection of the
Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Working Groups of theArctic Council. The aim of
this service is to make available data generated through the activities of CAFF and
PAME. The site is under development and data will be added as it becomes available
Field Guide for Alaska Grasses 2012 by Quentin D. Skinner, Stoney J. Wright,
Robert J. Henzey, Joann L. Henzey, and Sandra K. Wyman. Distributed by Alaska
Department of natural Resources.
Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago An electronic database identifying about
350 species of plants found in the Canadian arctic, including pictures. Authors: S.G.
Aiken, M.J. Dallwitz, L.L. Consaul, C.L. McJannet, L.J. Gillespie, R.L. Boles, G.W.
Argus, J.M. Gillett, P.J. Scott, R. Elven, M.C. LeBlanc, A.K. Brysting and H. Solstad
International Tundra Experiment A collaborative effort of scientists from 11
countries who are monitoring plants of the tundra ecosystem and documenting their
responses to environmental changes.
NSB-DWM Nutrition Studies Information on Traditional Foods
Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas Geobotanical maps and related materials
(including plant photo library) supported by the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
UA MUSEUM OF THE NORTH: INTERACTIVE Carex KEY Useful for
identification of sedge species on the North Slope.
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