What continent has the fewest flowering plants?

Only two flowering plants thrive on the continent of Antarctica because it is 99% ice covered year around. These two plants are the Antarctic hairgrass (Deschampsia antarctica) and pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis).

Antarctic Hairgrass has fine green leaves and is perennial. It lives for around two years. Young plants have folded leaf blades which grow into green erect stems. It grows to 3-5cm. When a mature plant begins to die it turns a yellowish-white color.

The second plant, Antarctica pearlwort is found on the continental edge, South Orkney Islands and the South Shetland Islands. It has small vibrant yellow flowers and grows about two inches tall with a moss-like appearance.

Only in remote areas of the islands and coastal areas of the Antarctic Peninsula can other plant life thrive due to the extreme low temperatures and dry winds. Plant life consists of very basic mosses and lichens. Antarctica has no trees or shrubs.