cryoflora

biology
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/science/cryoflora
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Also known as: cryophyte, cryovegetation
Also called:
cryovegetation, or cryophytes
Related Topics:
algae
red snow

cryoflora, algae that live in snow and ice. The well-known and widely distributed red snow (q.v.) is caused by Chlamydomonas nivalis and diatoms; brown snow by desmids, diatoms, and blue-green algae; green snow by Euglena or Chlamydomonas; and “black” snow by Scotiella nivalis and Raphidonema.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Charly Rimsa.