New desiccation-tolerant plants, including a grass, in the central highlands of Mexico, accumulate trehalose

Abstract

A grass endemic to Mexico, Sporobolus atrovirens, was identified for the first time as a desiccation-tolerant resurrection plant. Nine species of desiccation-tolerant vascular plants were found in the highland area of Mexico, including four species of ferns (Cheilanthes and Pellaea species) and three species of Selaginella. Two other grasses collected were known desiccation-tolerant species distributed from South America (Cordoba) to North America (Georgia). The ferns Ch. bonariensis, Ch. integerrima, Ch. myriophylla and P. sagittata are newly reported as desiccation-tolerant plants. The osmoprotectant trehalose which has been recorded as rare in plants was found in air-dry foliage of representative species of widely different taxa (9–291 µM g^–1 dry weight). The flora of desiccation-tolerant species in Mexico is discussed in connection with its ability to accumulate trehalose.