Antarctic Flora
Journey to Antarctica and uncover the surprising diversity of life beyond its iconic wildlife. From colorful lichens to hardy mosses and the continent’s only native flowering plants, discover how flora survives and thrives at the edge of the habitable world.
Video Transcript
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Amongst the grandeur of polar landscapes, some of nature's most precious treasures are hidden in plain sight.
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The field microscope is your gateway into another world and quickly changes your perspective on everything as it reveals layer upon layer of fascinating details that one would otherwise easily miss.
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Antarctica is home to its own fascinating ecosystems.
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The soil is poor, the growing season short, and there are no bees or bats to pollinate.
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Still, there is some interesting resilient plant life that thrives.
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While lichens and moss represent the majority of Antarctic flora, there's one hearty plant that defies the odds.
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Antarctic hair grass, most commonly seen amongst the penguin colonies.
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Somehow, it's evolved to endure the most extreme weather on Earth.
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The beautiful Antarctic pearlwort resembles a southern version of one of the Arctic's saxifraga, growing in ground cover cushions and producing a tiny sunny yellow flower.
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The flora of Antarctica offer a glimpse into a complex living world, every bit as impressive in its own way as the forests of earth's more temperate zones.
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You're sure to be both humbled and awed by the majestic life you'll find on these extraordinary expeditions.
