How do plants survive ice?

Plant species have had to adapt to freezing and the presence of ice in many climatic zones. Annual plants avoid ice by seed dispersal but, for biennials and perennials to survive they must cope with ice in various forms. Most plants that are regularly exposed to ice during their life cycles have acquired a dormant or quiescent winter period, when they are more tolerant to freezing temperatures. This Botanical Briefing explores some associations between plants and ice, with an emphasis on processes in plants that alleviate stress imposed by ice cover. Examples are taken from winter cereals which must reach an equilibrium both with ice and with freezing temperatures for survival and economic productivity. (C) 1996 Annals of Botany Company