Little if any vegetation but dwarf willow grows in this region. Hardy species like three-leaved rush, dwarf willow, and stiff sedge thrive despite the poor soils. Plants include purple saxifrage, dwarf willow, sedges, grasses, lichens and mosses. The dwarf willow is one of the smallest woody plants in the world. Common plants include dwarf willow and Arctic cotton, in addition to grasses and lichens. Plants along the shoreline include dwarf willow and alder, plus 125 different wild flowers. With increasing altitude, the dwarf willow and lichens become more prominent, forming a second zone.