Rare Tianshan snow lotus thrives under stronger protection in NW China's Xinjiang

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Wild Tianshan snow lotuses are flowering and pollinating at the Karlik Glacier in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The rare plant grows at elevations of up to 4,500 meters and flowers only once before dying after dispersing its seeds. Harvesting and climate change have reduced its population and pushed its habitat higher into the mountains. Xinjiang has stepped up efforts to protect the species through scientific research, law enforcement and conservation breeding, aiming to restore both the snow lotus population and its natural habitat.