Arctic-alpine plants

The park is home to about 45 species of Arctic-alpine plants, which are rare at this southerly latitude and low altitude.

As a rule, these plants grow in the Canadian North or on the peaks of the Rocky Mountains in western Canada. During the retreat of the glaciers approximately 10,000 years ago, these plants took up residence on Forillon’s cliffs, which were unsuited for forests. As a result, Arctic-alpine plants were able to grow without being pushed out by more competitive species.

In addition to the cliffs, the alpine meadows located at Cape Gaspé also serve as a habitat for several of these plants.