It would seem that at the South Pole, in a distant cold Antarctica, absolutely nothing can grow.They say that the climate is very similar to Mars, the only difference is the amount of water.And the very expression "plants of Antarctica," someone will seem ridiculous, stupid joke.However, this is not true.Plants Antarctica exist, though not as extensive list of species.Yes, and visual appeal, they can not boast.
Historical information about the flora of Antarctica
Today it is no secret that during the Mesozoic continent of Antarctica was the largest center of formation of flora.However, global cooling dramatically impoverished fauna of this continent, compelled to migrate much of the flora in the north to the warmer zone.
a long time, the answer to the question "what plants have in Antarctica" was listing: mosses, bacteria, lichens, fungi, algae and wild plant species are only a few of the herbs of the highest order.However, in 1829, after a decade after the discovery of Antarctica, the whole world was surprised the news that the South Shetland Islands was discovered the first flower.However, the aura of the highest form of plant propagation is limited to 64 degrees south latitude on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Every year open more new information about the flora of the harsh edges.Scientists surprised the world by reports of new plants found here.And now to the question "what plants grow in Antarctica" answer is not as easy as it once was, when scientists are not so actively engaged in research work here.
freshwater algae South Pole
Antarctic ecozone - this amazing region - represented by blue-green algae.They, along with bacteria and mosses cover the bottom of freshwater reservoirs.These plants form Antarctica mucous thick crust.
blue-green algae - one of the oldest plants of the continent.After all, their fossilized remains were found on the surfaces of minerals delivered to the "mainland" by scientists.In the summer of freshwater algae cover the entire surface of reservoirs.They have adapted to settle even in the snow, slightly melted in the sun.Microscopic red, yellow and green algae form a cluster when its bright lawn, colored spots on top of which resemble the artist's palette.
amazing natural phenomenon - Red Snow - there just because of microscopic red algae.It is their strong gusts of wind torn from the surface, rising in the air, mixed with grains of snow, and dropping back to the ground, creating the illusion of red snow.
According to the calculations of scientists, is home to nearly seven hundred different types of algae.Most of them are diatoms.
Algae Antarctic
In Antarctic seas can be found giant seaweed in length from one hundred fifty to three hundred meters, which are called maktotsitas.The very name of these plants speaks for itself, because in the translation of the word sounds like "krupnokletochnik."And in fact, the size of the cells makrotsitasa are huge in comparison with the cells of other plants.
Sea Antarctic densely populated these amazing plants.They form colonies are real underwater forest!
lichens in Antarctica
most widely after the algae flora of Antarctica is presented with lichen - their then there are more than three hundred species.Lichens are the plants of the lower class, presenting him a symbiosis of fungi and algae.Some species of the Antarctic flora boast their superdrevneyshey pedigree - it has more than ten thousand years.In the area of the Antarctic lichens manage to grow among the rocks.And, catching the sun's rays are rare, they carry out photosynthesis here.
astonishing variety of colors of lichens.There they meet a pale green, bright orange, zhёltenkie, nondescript gray and black ... absolutely!Perhaps the most lichens can be found here is a black pigment - a rare phenomenon in the world.This is for the simple reason that such coloration helps plants absorb the maximum amount of sunlight and heat, which is so rare in the South Pole.
Lichens adapted to the winds of enormous power that has shaken here.Therefore, they hold fast to the rocks, which grow to form a dense crust.Scrape or pull out the plants can only be with a knife.They are called - "crustaceous lichens."
There are leafy lichens, which even form some external similarity of flowers, bushy that grow like miniature bushes.But others have chosen for themselves, and do a creative place for resettlement - the surface of the moss.
growing lichen in the Antarctic climate long as their development is inhibited by low temperatures and strong winds.No they are almost on boulders and young glacial sediments.However, you can often find lichens on for a long time free of ice rocks.This fact allows researchers to study the history of glaciation in Antarctica.
Antarctic mosses
In third place on species diversity are mosses.Seventy, and according to other sources, eighty different species of these plants surprise botanists around the world.The islands are free of ice, peat mosses form a whole.
addition to the usual on Antarctica have marchantiophyta.There are thirty of their species.Most mosses are endemic plants, because Antarctica is a continent that was for many centuries isolated from the rest of the world.These include Sarconeurum glaciale, Schistidium antarctici and Grimmia antarctici.
Mosses and lichens are so adapted to the harsh Antarctic climate to the strong winds and low temperatures, which survive even in the windswept rocky slopes.
However, most mosses, previously inhabited the land, gradually "moved" into water - lakes, where the environment for their habitat is more favorable.
Fern
This interesting plant as fern, can be found at the South Pole.It is one of the oldest in the flora of the land.This plant is not in bloom, so does not require pollination, which is very important for the fauna of Antarctica.Without giving seeds, ferns reproduce by spores, like mushrooms.Strong winds prevailing in Antarctica, spread their pollen, spores, spreading plant.
flowers that live in Antarctica
If the question of what plants are found in Antarctica, someone will answer the flowers, it can raise a laugh.Nevertheless, he is right.Nearly a dozen stunted flowering plants can be found here.
For example, many flowering plants are known to Antarctica as pickerel and colobanthus quitensis forming their settlements small clearings-lugovinki.
Antarctic hair grass
It is a herbaceous flowering plant has another name - Deschampsia Antarctica.He refers to the family of grasses, or mjatlikovyh.To grow on the mountain slopes in the sun and rocky soils, the plant reaches a height of 20 centimeters.His tenacity and will to live to be envied not every plant can withstand such severe frosts during flowering, which easily transfers pickerel.Quite a short growing season and the amazing adaptability of hair grass allows him to survive in the extreme conditions of the Arctic south.
colobanthus quitensis
Kolobant crassifolia or pearlwort - so is also called the flower - belongs to the family clove is inconspicuous white flowers and light green leaves.The height of adult plants is small - from a half to five centimeters.Antarctic bryozoans called plant also because it is remarkably similar to moss and has a shape resembling a pillow.
Vegetation of Antarctica - food organisms
It would not have been poor fauna of the Arctic, but there are interesting exhibits.Antarctic ecozone as elsewhere, it is often to living organisms in food products.For example, referring to flowering plants Kerguelen cabbage, which is used as an edible vegetable.Experts say that the cabbage is not only delicious and nutritious, but very rich in vitamins.At the very least, as an effective means of scurvy, it has managed to prove itself.
cereal plant of the genus bluegrass with the interesting name "tuesok" may well be used as feed for sheep.Most often it occurs in the plant close to the Antarctic islands.
Herbaceous plants Antarctica photos which are presented here, hit blёklostyu, pallor, some colorless.This happens because the pollination of flowers is carried by the wind rather than insects, so colorful flowers to attract bees, butterflies, bumblebees, etc. simply do not need - and nature is given a rest.
changes in the flora of Antarctica
In connection with investigations of this remote area of the planet today, and noted an interesting fact, as the appearance of the plants here, had never grows.Scientists are inclined to believe that the seeds of many of them were brought to the mainland on the shoes or bags researchers.
also believed that earlier, before the cold snap, there grows a lot of plants that did not survive the harsh climate of steady.But global warming is likely that miraculously preserved seeds suddenly awakened to life.Although such cases are isolated yet.
