Colobanthus quitensis
Antarctic flower
Colobanthus quitensis, also known as the Antarctic pearlwort, is one of two native flowering plants found in the Antarctic region, the other being Antarctic hair grass. It has yellow flowers and grows about 5 centimetres (2 inches) tall, giving it a moss-like appearance. Due to climate change, the species has been spreading rapidly, particularly to areas outside Antarctica.
Description
Colobanthus quitensis has yellow flowers and grows about 5 centimetres (2 inches) tall, with a cushion-like growth habit that gives it a moss-like appearance. It is an angiosperm, meaning that it is a plant that produces flowers, and is capable of asexual reproduction. It relies on wind pollination because of the lack of bees and other pollinating insects in the Antarctic region. Although it is moss-like, Colobanthus quitensis is a tracheophyte, or vascular plant, meaning that it contains vascular tissues called the phloem and xylem.
Symbiosis
Endophytic fungi have been found living inside of the leaves of Colobanthus quitensis, including saprobic and pathogenic fungal species. Research studies have shown that these fungi are able to produce melanin in their hyphae, which may be the reason they are able to withstand freezing temperatures. The presence of these endophytic fungi have been shown to increase plant performance.
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