Tha an teirm tundra a' tighinn tro Ruis tundra (tûndra) bho Kildin Sami facal тӯндар (tūndâr) a 'ciallachadh" uplands "," gun chrann beinn ". Tha vegetation tundra air a dhèanamh suas de chraobhan dwarf, sedges agus grass, mosses, agus lichens. Bidh craobhan sgapte a' fàs ann an cuid de roinnean tundra.
"àiteachan àrd", "slighean beinne gun chraobhan"