The transitional zone between the tundra and the Boreal Forest stretches unbroken from the Mackenzie to the Strait of Belle Isle but reaches its greatest breadth in Ungava and Labrador. This is undoubtedly a response to the low summer temperatures of this region. From the standpoint of tree species this is part of Boreal Forest, the most common trees being white spruce (Picea glauca), black spruce (P. mariana), larch (Larix laricina) and white birch (Betula papyrifera). The trees of this zone are in scattered stands and stunted, very few attaining useful size hence the popular designation, "land of little sticks". The creeping form of the common juniper (Juniperus communis) is also found as well as dwarf willow and ground birch.
This is a region of lakes and muskegs, the latter being undrained basins now filled with peat moss. Around the edges dense stands of tamarack and black spruce are found the trees being smaller and smaller toward the centre of the bog. In the central treeless area are found Labrador tea, leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) and cranberry.
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