What Types of Plants Are Found in Antarctica?

Antarctica is often pictured as a vast continent of ice. It is the coldest, driest, and windiest place on Earth, with an ice sheet that covers about 98% of its landmass. The combination of prolonged darkness, nutrient-poor soils, and minimal liquid water makes the survival of vegetation seem nearly impossible. Yet, a few types of plants have adapted, carving out an existence in the small ice-free pockets of the continent.

Antarctica’s Two Native Flowering Plants

Antarctica is home to two species of flowering plants: Antarctic hair grass (Deschampsia antarctica) and Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis). They are the only vascular plants native to the continent, meaning they have specialized tissues for conducting water and nutrients. Their presence is restricted to the more temperate regions of the Antarctic Peninsula and its nearby islands, where conditions are less severe.

Antarctic hair grass grows in small, dense tufts, which helps it conserve warmth and moisture, and its leaves can withstand being trampled by penguins and seals. Antarctic pearlwort is a compact, cushion-like plant that grows up to five centimeters tall and produces small, yellow flowers. Both plants have a short growing season during the brief Antarctic summer to complete their life cycles and rely on wind for pollination.

Dominant Mosses Lichens and Algae

While flowering plants exist, the dominant forms of plant life in Antarctica are mosses, lichens, and algae. Over 100 species of mosses form green carpets in damp areas where snowmelt collects. These plants, along with 25 to 30 species of liverworts, are non-vascular and must absorb water directly from their surroundings.

Lichens are even more widespread, with around 250 species found clinging to exposed rocks and bare soil. Some lichen colonies are thought to be hundreds or even thousands of years old, a testament to their slow growth. There are also over 700 species of terrestrial and aquatic algae, which form the base of many local food webs. One example is Chlamydomonas nivalis, a snow algae that creates “watermelon snow,” tinting snowfields pinkish-red.

Survival Mechanisms in the Antarctic

Plant life in Antarctica requires specialized adaptations. To cope with freezing temperatures, many plants produce antifreeze compounds in their cells, which prevents ice crystals from rupturing cell walls. These plants are also capable of photosynthesis at very low temperatures and in low light conditions during the short summers.

A slow growth rate is another strategy for conserving energy where resources are scarce. The low-to-the-ground, compact growth forms of cushion plants and mosses help trap heat and protect against drying winds. Mosses and lichens can also withstand long periods of dehydration, drying out and then rehydrating when liquid water becomes available.

Antarctic Flora and Climate Change

The plant life of Antarctica is facing rapid change as the continent warms. Along the Antarctic Peninsula, rising summer air temperatures have caused the two native flowering plants to spread at an accelerated rate. This expansion allows Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort to colonize new areas that were previously too cold for survival.

This botanical growth raises concerns for the continent’s ecosystems. The spread of these vascular plants could allow them to outcompete the slower-growing mosses and lichens that have long dominated the landscape. Warming conditions also increase the likelihood that non-native plant species, introduced by visitors, could become invasive, altering the balance of life.