Colobanthus quitensis
| Colobanthus quitensis | |
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| Antarctic Pearlwort at St. Andrews Bay, South Georgia | |
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C. quitensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Colobanthus quitensis |
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| Synonyms | |
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C. alatus, C. aretioides, C. billardieri, C. cherlerioides, C. crassifolius, C. crassifolius var. aretioides, C. maclovianus, C. meingeni, C. quitensis var. alatus, C. saginoides, Sagina crassifolia, S. quitensis, Spergula affinis? |
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Colobanthus quitensis (Antarctic pearlwort) is one of two flowering plants found in the Antarctic region.[1] It occurs on the continental edge, as well as the South Orkney Islands and the South Shetland Islands. It has yellow flowers and grows about 5 cm (two inches) tall, with a cushion-like growth habit that gives it a moss-like appearance.
Due to climate change, more seeds are germinating, creating a large number of seedlings and plants. Reports indicate a fivefold increase in these plants, which have extended their ranges southward and cover more extensive areas, wherever found. This species extends south of 56° south.[2] Deschampsia antarctica (Antarctic hairgrass) is the only other native flowering plant in the region.[3]
Synonyms include Sagina quitensis.
