GEOGRAPHY
Bio - Flora
Plants with the Longest Lifespans
This list features the plants with the longest lifespans of any species on Planet Earth.
RANK | PLANT | LIFESPAN | DESCRIPTION |
1 | Posidonia Oceanica (Seagrass) | Up to 100,000 years | A marine flowering plant that forms extensive meadows in the Mediterranean, known for its ecological importance and longevity. |
2 | Welwitschia Mirabilis | Up to 1,500 years | A unique desert plant found in Namibia and Angola, it consists of only two leaves that continue to grow throughout its life. |
3 | Lichens | Up to 1,000 years | Symbiotic associations between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, lichens can survive for centuries, thriving in extreme environments. |
4 | Cacti (Cactaceae) | Up to 200 years | Certain cacti species, like the saguaro cactus, can live for over a century, adapting to arid environments with unique survival strategies. |
5 | Bamboo (Bambusa spp.) | Up to 120 years | Some species of bamboo can live for over a century, with rapid growth cycles that can produce new shoots every year. |
6 | Green Algae (Chara spp.) | Over 100 years | These freshwater algae can live for decades and play a significant role in aquatic ecosystems, contributing to water quality and habitat. |
7 | Orchids (Orchidaceae) | Up to 100 years | Some orchids can live for a century, particularly those that grow in stable environments; they are known for their diverse forms and beauty. |
8 | Coral (Scleractinia) | Up to 100 years | While technically animals, corals contribute to underwater plant ecosystems and can live for a century or more, building large reefs over time. |
9 | Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) | Up to 20 years | A large brown seaweed that forms underwater forests; individual plants can live for several years, although they often cycle rapidly. |
10 | Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) | Up to 10 years | Although primarily known as a marine animal, its associated phytoplankton contributes to its long ecological lifespan in polar regions. |
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