Eight-petaled Dryas (Dryas octopetala), an evergreen plant found in abundance on the North Slope and Alpine tundra of Alaska and Northwest Territories of Canada, is closely related to White Mountain Avens (Dryas integrifolia) which are smaller and native to the limestone barrens of northern Newfoundland, extending into the high Arctic.

Named for eight creamy-white overlapping petals, dryas octopetala also sport a bright yellow center attracting bees, butterflies, and even birds. These plants are ground-hugging with leathery dark green leaves, usually grow no more than six inches high, and develop a plume-like seedhead after the flowers pass. They bloom in late spring to early summer, but are hardy enough to survive temps as low as -45 or colder. On the tundra (at least in this area) they survive in very sandy soil with scant rainfall. This photo was taken on the tundra surrounding the Native village of Atqasuk on Alaska’s North Slope.