The forest vegetation, as it exists on other continents, is absent in Antarctica. On the continent some species of nothofagus (southern beech) of South American origin grow, but their life forms are bush (including dwarf ones) and creeping shrub. Also in Antarctica some dwarf species of willow tree grow; they descend from plants introduced to New Zealand in human epoch. The Antarctic willows have small size and branch plentifully, and in spring their flowers represent the important source of nectar for local insects. Willows form special kind of �willow meadows�, entirely covered with fluffy yellow inflorescences during the blossoming period. Willows grow mainly in damp lowland areas of land whereas Nothofagus species prefer highlands.