Despite the harsh climate Greenland experiences much of the year, summer brings a burst of light and warmth that prompts tiny wildflowers to flourish on the tundra and green mountain slopes along the island's ice-free coastal fringe. On these departures, expect to see a variety of colorful northern species that may include bright yellow alpine hawkweed, purple saxifrage, magenta dwarf fireweed (which is also called "river beauty," since it grows on gravel bars among braided streams), pink moss campion, rose root, deep-brown alpine bartsia (also known as "velvetbells"), common butterwort and fluffy Arctic cotton grass.