Deschampsia antarctica

Deschampsia antarctica, the Antarctic hair grass, is one of two flowering plants native to Antarctica, the other being Colobanthus quitensis (Antarctic pearlwort).

Deschampsia antarctica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Pooideae
Genus:	Deschampsia
Species:	D. antarctica
Binomial name
Deschampsia antarctica É.Desv.[1]
Synonyms[1]
Airidium elegantulum Steud. Deschampsia elegantula (Steud.) Parodi Deschampsia henrardii Kloos

Ecology

An early illustration of the species under its previous name Aira antarctica

Deschampsia antarctica mainly occurs on the South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands, and along the western Antarctic Peninsula.^[2] Deschampsia antartica distribution largely depends on the area's nutrient supply of the soil and its water distribution.^[3] Deschampsia antarctica has been recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records as the southernmost flowering plant. In 1981, a specimen was found on the Antarctic Peninsula's Refuge Islands at a latitude of 68°21′S.^[4][5] Since 2009, both D. antarctica and C. quitensis have been spreading rapidly, which studies suggest has been the result of rising air temperatures and a reduction in the number of fur seals.^[6]

In Antarctica, the plant can be found forming low clumps in wet, protected habitats.^[2]

See also

• Antarctic flora