Plant
16:11, 19-Jan-2019
Trumpet-shaped flowers that can open and close petals freely
Updated
09:41, 20-Jan-2019
["china"]
Share
Copied
A resident of alpine regions, the seven-leaf Gentiana arethusae has evolved into a blue that can help absorb ultraviolet light efficiently. It inhabits the grassy slopes and meadows in the Tibet Autonomous Region, northwestern Yunnan Province, western Sichuan Province in southwestern China and the Taibai Mountain in Shaanxi Province in northwestern China.
General information about the seven-leaf Gentiana arethusae. /CGTN Graphic
General information about the seven-leaf Gentiana arethusae. /CGTN Graphic
Its pedals can open and close depending on the environmental conditions. On an overcast or rainy day, the pedals are closed. Whenever there is sunshine, the pedals are open to greet insect pollinators.
(Top image by Peng Jiansheng from Luli Studio. Photo was taken near Baima Snow Mountain, Deqin County of Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in southwest China's Yunnan Province)