A plant that survives months in complete darkness in a frozen winter in the Arctic has managed to hack its way into living through extreme conditions.
During the winter months in the Arctic, where temperatures can reach between – 65F and -20F, it’s dark and cold for several months. Above the Arctic Circle, there Is little or no sun at all, but it’s a stark contrast to summer, where the sun shines around the clock.
There are two main seasons in the Arctic, winter lasting nine months and a short summer of just three. Spring and autumn in between only stick around for a few weeks each.
Despite the harsh conditions, one plant has managed to master holding on to life itself.
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As the summer arrives, the warmth begins to melt the ice and show, revealing the plants lurking underneath waiting for the short spell of sunshine.
But one strange plant, the compass plant (Silene acaulis), has been hailed “one of the greatest survivors” after being able to live for 300 years, a BBC Earth program reveals.
It’s said the ‘secret weapon’ lying in the middle of the dome is its central heating system. The plant will absorb the sun’s energy around the clock, storing the sunlight, even when the temperature of the air is around freezing, the inside temperature can reach 86F.
Although the plant doesn’t heat evenly, it follows the path of the sun on the horizon, therefore, flowers on the dome appear on the south side first before the north area.
Early explorers first cracked how the plant blossomed in this way, and used the plant to find their way south and north – just like a compass.
However, other plant life across the Arctic waits for it to warm up, as well as melting snow to disperse, to thrive.
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