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Story: Alpine plants

Red snow

Red snow

Reddish-pink patches in high-altitude snowfields like this one in upper Canyon Creek, Canterbury, are caused by blooms of single-celled algae, often Chlainomonas species. Although these species are green algae (Chlorophyta), they appear red or pink as they contain red pigments.

About this item

Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

© Copyright image. All rights reserved. Permission from Manaaki Whenua: Landcare Research New Zealand Limited must be obtained before the re-use of this image.

How to cite this page:

Hugh Wilson. 'Alpine plants', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Mar-09
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/alpine-plants/4/3