Living in the mountainous Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the plants develop special structures to protect themselves against the severe cold. Saussurea medusa has a hairy and fluffy body that can retain enough heat for seeds to germinate. It usually waits for over five years for the final gorgeous bloom. Cushion plants that dominate the alpine meadows are densely coated with clusters of tiny leaves. Their dead leaves and fine soil are trapped between the leaves to maintain temperature and humidity. 

(Cover image is a video screenshot; video shot by the CGTN Nature film crew and edited by CGTN's Zhao Ying)

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