Arctic Poppy Plants Strive to Survive Harsh Weather Scientists have found them just 51 cm south of the North Pole.
Inuit Qeqertaat or Kaffeklubben Island is a gray-black gravel strip on the northern coast of Greenland. Danish explorers in the early 20th century named this land, according to National Geographic. During their survey to discover species that can survive in this rocky area, climate change researchers and explorer Brian Buma’s team from National Geographic found a common moss species (tortula mucronifolia), a yellow Arctic poppy, and the papaver radicatum species (related to poppies), growing just a few centimeters south of the moss.
Brian Buma collecting samples from different layers of the Arctic glacier. This area is considered the world’s “ice desert” with very little rainfall. The glacier samples reflect the snowfall over many years.
Here, Greenlandic archaeologist Aka Simonsen also discovered an Inuit stone circle approximately 700 years old, possibly the northernmost archaeological site.
Aka Simonsen preparing to leave camp with Brian Buma just as the weather begins to change. Only a few hours after arriving at the northernmost island, the team planned to leave, intending to return the next day. However, returning became difficult after several days of bad weather turned into a storm, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. The July storm dumped nearly a meter of snow, with snowfall accumulating to several meters. The harsh conditions forced the entire team to remain at their base for a week.
A solitary Arctic poppy plant near the coast of Inuit Qeqertaat. National Geographic explorers spotted them right after the poppy cluster mentioned above. From this, they concluded that poppies grow sparsely at the northern edge along with a few purple saxifrages (saxifraga oppositifolia). 
An Arctic poppy thriving on the northern coast of Greenland. Most plants in this area grow in clumps, “leaning” on each other for protection against harsh weather. Like a satellite dish, they slowly turn to face the sun. During the expedition, scientists found this poppy cluster about 20 inches (51 cm) south of the Earth’s North Pole.
Purple saxifrage (saxifraga oppositifolia). This is the highest flowering plant in Europe, according to National Geographic.
A type of carnation plant growing through the snow. Like many other plant species found in the Arctic, hairy stems help protect them from extreme cold temperatures.
A scientist identifying moss and other tiny Arctic plant systems through a handheld magnifying glass. He examines every detail to find factors that help them adapt to the cold weather, such as the tiny hairs covering the plant stems.
Scientists can use detailed digital maps to chart how the ecosystem is changing as the Earth warms.
