Only a few types of plants tolerate these conditions. At the water's edge, winter ice scrapes along the shore, cleaning off exposed soil and plants. Therefore, there is commonly a zone devoid of plants within several meters of the shoreline. Those plants that do grow on the limestone pavement have a foothold in cracks in the rock. Trees are not common in this pavement beach.
Shrubs are short or creep along the ground.
The absence of tall shrubs and trees means that wildflowers in this habitat are exposed to full sun and wind. Limestone pavement adjacent to open water, Manitoulin Island, Prairie Point. Bur-marigold , blue vervain , and boneset plants are common at this site. The transition between forest and water can be rapid. Here, the transition takes place over about 50 metres.