Why can Snow Lotus bloom on the snow-capped mountains?

Why can lotus stubbornly survive in the iceberg snow? Because Saussurea involucrata has the biological characteristics of adapting to the cold environment, its leaves are as dense as long white hairs, and like cotton balls, cotton wool is intertwined, forming countless "small rooms" where gas is difficult to exchange with the outside world. Under the direct sunlight during the day, it absorbs more heat than the surrounding soil and air, and it evaporates violently; And the wool layer can protect the body from strong radiation damage. In addition, the dense flower heads at the top of the stem are often covered with long wool-like leaves on both sides, just like wearing a white cashmere coat to ensure reproduction in the cold alpine environment.

This adaptation of Saussurea involucrata to alpine environment was formed under long-term cold and dry conditions in mountainous areas. Due to the accumulation of a large number of soluble sugar, protein and lipid in Saussurea involucrata cells, the freezing point of cell protoplasm can be reduced. When the temperature drops below the freezing point of protoplasm, the water in protoplasm will penetrate into the intercellular space and the space where the plasma wall separates and freeze. Protoplasts gradually shrink and will not be destroyed. The weather gets warmer, the ice melts, the water is absorbed by the protoplast, and the cells return to the normal and strange alpine plant-Saussurea involucrata lives in the alpine region by virtue of its cold resistance.

Snow Lotus in Tianshan Mountain, also known as "Snow Lotus", is called "Ta Glisse" in local Uyghur language. It is a perennial herb of Saussurea in Compositae. It is a rare Chinese herbal medicine unique to Xinjiang; It grows on the cliffs and steep walls of Tianshan Mountain at an altitude of about 4000 meters, and in the cracks of ice-stained rocks. The climate there is extremely cold, and the snow doesn't melt all the year round, so ordinary plants can't survive at all, but Saussurea involucrata can survive in the cold of tens of degrees below zero and the oxygen-deficient environment with thin air. This unique living habit and unique growth environment make it natural and rare, and also create its unique pharmacological effects and magical medicinal value. People regard Saussurea involucrata as the "king of herbs" and "good medicine".