Which plants and plantlike organisms grow in Antarctica?

Antarctica’s cold desert climate supports approximately 800 species of plants and plantlike organisms, which are primarily cold-tolerant and capable of surviving long periods of darkness and dormancy. Because of the harsh environment, the continent lacks vascular plants, with the exception of two native species.123

The flora of Antarctica consists mainly of the following:

• Lichens: There are about 350 species of lichens, which are well-adapted to the climate and often grow on dark, heat-absorbing rocks.1
• Bryophytes: This group includes about 100 species of mosses and liverworts, which are most common in maritime regions.1
• Fungi and Microorganisms: The continent hosts various molds, yeasts, bacteria, and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), including unique stone-dwelling forms that live within porous rocks.13
• Algae: Freshwater algae are widespread, and the surrounding seas are highly productive, featuring abundant diatoms and other plankton.1

While subantarctic islands support a greater variety of vascular plants, the Antarctic continent itself is largely barren, with floral development restricted primarily to the Antarctic Peninsula and coastal fringes.143