Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Weather inquiry - What is the flower that is least afraid of cold?

What is the flower that is least afraid of cold?

The flower that is least afraid of cold in the world is Saussurea involucrata, which is produced in China. Even at MINUS 50 degrees Celsius, this flower is in full bloom. Saussurea involucrata is a herb of Subgenus Saussurea in Compositae. It grows in the rubble near the snow line of the snowy mountain at an altitude of 4800-5800 meters. It is cold-resistant, cold-resistant. Its flowers look like lotus, and the top looks like lotus, so it is named Snow Lotus. There are more than 20 species of plants in this subgenus, most of which are produced in China Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its adjacent areas. Snow lotus is not easy to pick, and its quantity is limited.

There are seven species in Tibet: (1) Saussurea himalayana, which produces Yadong and Nyalam; (2) Saussurea involucrata, producing Basu, Bomi, Jiacha, Cuona and Yadong; (3) Saussurea involucrata, producing Naidong and Cuona; (4) Saussurea involucrata, produced in Saussurea involucrata Shenzha, Nanmulin, Zhongba, Pulan and Zada; (5) Wrong snow lotus, wrong subject; (6) Saussurea involucrata produces Jilong; (7) Saussurea medusa is widely distributed in the whole region. All the above seven medicines can be used as medicine, and have the functions of dispelling cold and resolving phlegm, strengthening yang and enriching blood, and warming uterus; Mainly used for treating gynecological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney deficiency, lumbago and other diseases. Saussurea medusa also has cardiotonic effect.

Why can Saussurea involucrata survive tenaciously in iceberg snow? Because Saussurea involucrata has the biological characteristics of adapting to the cold environment, its leaves are very dense, like long white hairs, like cotton balls and wool intertwined, forming countless "small rooms" where gas is difficult to exchange with the outside world. In direct sunlight during the day, it absorbs more heat than the surrounding soil and air; And the wool layer can protect the body from strong radiation. In addition, the dense flower heads at the top of the stem are often surrounded by leaves with long hair on both sides, just like wearing a white sweater to ensure that the seeds are passed on in the cold mountain 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, water is absorbed by protoplasts, and cells return to normal. It is this cold resistance that makes Saussurea involucrata live in alpine mountain areas.

Saussurea involucrata seeds germinate at zero degrees Celsius, grow at 3 ~ 5 degrees Celsius, and the seedlings can withstand the cold of MINUS 20 degrees Celsius. In an environment where the growth period is less than two months, its height can be 5 ~ 7 times higher than that of other plants. Although it takes 3 to 5 years to blossom, the actual growth days are only 8 months. This is also quite unique in biology.

Snow lotus is delicate and charming, which may be the crystallization of changeable and complicated climate. Its roots are black, its leaves are green, its buds are white, and its flowers are red, just like the mythical woman in white, wearing a red helmet, plain armor, green armor, soap boots and a sword, standing on the cliff of the ice peak. The place where the wind and snow are mixed constitutes a wonderful picture of Jinshan Temple in the snow.