Antifreeze

It’s amazing to me how some plants are just unbothered in cold temperatures. We’ve had many nights in the 20s recently, and some in the low ‘teens, but these hardy things have managed to keep green leaves and even flower. In spite of a slowed metabolism, there must be powerful compounds keeping the cells from freezing and allowing them to still photosynthesize. While other plants have gone dormant, either in stems, roots, or down to just a seed, the ones that chug along have the advantage of very little competition this time of year. Shout-out especially to seaside goldenrod with a live basal rosette, growing in the sidewalk in Sunset Park. Bravo!