Leaf and floral heating in cold climates: do sub-Antarctic megaherbs resemble tropical alpine giants?

Sub-Antarctic megaherbs exhibit significant leaf and floral heating, with temperatures up to 11°C higher than ambient conditions, challenging the typical low-statured plant forms seen in cold climates. This discovery suggests thermal benefits akin to tropical alpine giants, driven by brief periods of solar radiation and enhanced by hairy, corrugated leaves and darkly pigmented inflorescences. Researchers used thermal imaging techniques on Campbell Island (52.3°S) to measure leaf and inflorescence temperatures, correlating them with environmental variables such as solar radiation, wind speed, and humidity. The findings highlight the potential adaptive significance of these plant traits in extreme environments.

Little, L., Eidesen, P. B., Müller, E., Dickinson, K. J. M., & Lord, J. M. (2016). Leaf and floral heating in cold climates: do sub-Antarctic megaherbs resemble tropical alpine giants? Polar Research, 35(1), 26030. https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.26030