Vegetation that grows/survives the Arctic environment makes for a unique crowd.  The rocky ground is characterized by permafrost, which is frozen year-round.  Only a thin layer of soil thaws and refreezes each year.  The resulting shallow root systems, along with low temperatures and short growing seasons, are not discouraging enough for these low and slow-growing plants (although, some are not technically plants, e.g., lichens).  

When I met these tough little beauties that had withstood the harsh elements and found themselves home in the (shallow) shelter from strong wind, I felt that they are speaking to me about their stories, the slow and long ones.