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Nov 5, 2018 · Despite its harsh climate, Antarctica is home to a small number of native plants. While many species of algae and bryophytes live in and around Antarctica, vascular plants are few and far between. Plant species in Antarctica have adapted to their isolated environment in unique ways.
Information about the vascular plants, lichens, mosses, algae, and fungi found in Antarctica. Grow Low, Grow Fast, Hold On! An overview of Arctic plant adaptations.
Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic are home to a variety of plants and microbes. These include lichens, mosses and liverworts, algae, kelp and microscopic organisms.
Larger plants include mosses and lichens (a combination of algae and fungi) found along the coast and on the peninsula. Green, nonflowering liverworts live on the western side of the peninsula. Brightly colored snow algae often form on top of the snow and ice, coloring it red, yellow, or green.
There are no trees or shrubs, and only two species of flowering plants are found: Antarctic hair grass (Deschampsia antarctica) and Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis). These occur on the South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands and along the western Antarctic Peninsula.
Sep 24, 2015 · Dr Regina Eisert. Scientists also research what lives on the land. Antarctica is a polar desert. Terrestrial life is limited to the very small. There are no trees or shrubs, so vegetation is mainly mosses, lichens and algae. Springtails are one of the largest living terrestrial organisms – however, these invertebrates are only 1–3 mm in length!
Plants living in Antarctica must overcome two major factors: the cold temperatures and the lack of rainfall – they must have a regular water supply or the ability to go dormant for periods of time. Lichen is formed by a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi.
