Antarctic hair grass ( Deschampsia antarctica ) is one of only two flowering plants that grow in Antarctica. The inhospitable lands of the Antarctic belong to no country and are entirely dedicated to scientific research and tourism. Xerophytes have adapted to be able to hold onto large amounts of water for a long period of time or limit water loss. There are only two native vascular plants in Antarctica: Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort. Wildscreen's Arkive project was launched in 2003 and grew to become the world's biggest encyclopaedia of life on Earth. Common name i: Antarctic hair grass: Synonym i-Other names i ›Antarctic hairgrass ›Deschampsia antarctica E.Desv. Although the species is a valuable model for study of environmental stress tolerance in plants, its karyotype is still poorly investigated. We firstly conducted a comprehensive molecular cytogenetic analysis of D. antarctica … (Poaceae) (2n = 26) is one of the two vascular plants adapted to the harshest environment of the Antarctic. Primarily their diet consists of krill and small crustaceans including crab, lobsters, crayfish and shrimps. Antarctica has two vascular plants – Antarctic hair grass (Deschampsia antarctica) and Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis). ANTARCTIC PLANTS. Deschampsia antarctica Scientific classification Deschampsia antarctica Desv. These species are found in small clumps near the shore of the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, where temperatures are milder and there is more precipitation. With the help of over 7,000 of the world’s best wildlife filmmakers and photographers, conservationists and scientists, Arkive.org featured multi-media fact-files for more than 16,000 endangered species. Deschampsia antarctica is the long scientific name for one of the small vascular or land plants found in this neck of the woods. They survive on marine life. The scientific name of all sea spiders is Pycnogonida (pick-no-go-nid-a). He said: “In the past they were at the limit of their range. Antarctica is a continent almost completely covered in ice that is more than 3 km deep in some areas. The other is Antarctic pearlwort ( Colobanthus quitensis ), an herb. Without these capabilities, the plants would die, as their arid environment does not provide enough water to sustain life. A recent study documented the proliferation of these two native plants, especially the hair grass, thanks to newly available nitrogen. Tussock grasses or bunch grasses are a group of grass species in the family Poaceae.They usually grow as singular plants in clumps, tufts, hummocks, or bunches, rather than forming a sod or lawn, in meadows, grasslands, and prairies.As perennial plants, most species live more than one season.Tussock grasses are often found as forage in pastures and ornamental grasses in … Convey said Antarctic hair grass and another species called pearlwort were the only complex plants capable of surviving on the Antarctic mainland. The term xerophyte refers to a plant species that has evolved over time to survive in dry regions, like deserts, with little water. The Rockhopper Penguin is a carnivorous bird meaning they eat meat or animals. Scientific name i: Deschampsia antarctica: Taxonomy navigation › Deschampsia. Terminal (leaf) node. It is commonly called the Antarctic hair grass. This vast white desert swept by powerful winds holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded: –89°C! 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