Why are plants in extreme environments often ball-shaped?
Extreme environments, such as high Mediterranean or Alpine mountains, arid or pre-Saharan environments, or the coastline, are often colonised by perennials with a characteristic ball shape. These spectacular hemispherical pads, pressed against the ground, can sometimes be virtually exclusive in the landscape, giving the slopes and plateaux a surprisingly sculptural appearance.
These cushion-like shapes are not a simple accommodation or reaction to an external factor, as would be the case with anemomorphoses, changes in the shape of plants and plant landscapes under the effect of prevailing winds. This is an adaptation of plants, written into their genetic make-up and the result of millions of years of evolution.
Limit transpiration, create a microclimate within the clump, spread out flowering and optimise pollination...Come and discover this article published by T. Gauquelin in The Conversation, In this way, we can make the most of the rare resources and numerous constraints of extreme environments.