QUESTION:
Do/can any vegetables grow in Antarctica?
        
        Students in Ms. Landmann's 5th Grade Class
        Rio del Mar Elementary
        Aptos, CA

  

ANSWER from Chris Ruhland, Tad Day's Research Team
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Thu, 27 Feb 1997 18:37:02 -0500

Dear Students,

No, there are only two "higher" plants in Antarctica right at the 
moment.  They are Antarctic Hairgrass and Pearlwort.  In the past, 
scientists have attempted to grow "cold adapted" plants in some of 
the lower latitudes of Antarctica, but very few (if any!) have 
survived.  Now, with the Antarctic Conservation Act, it is illegal to 
import plants to Antarctica and attempt to grow them.  If memory 
serves me correctly, I believe you can be fined up to $10,000 for an 
ACA violation of this type. 

Thanks......

Chris