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

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.