If you have the chance to visit high mountains, you will surely admire the low and uniquely shaped trees there. Especially the vibrant and beautiful flowers will captivate your attention.
Why do plants in high mountains look particularly beautiful? It’s because of the sunlight in the mountains.
The air in high mountains is thinner and more transparent, so there is much more ultraviolet radiation in the sunlight compared to lower altitudes. Ultraviolet radiation tends to slow down plant growth.
Even though the ultraviolet radiation disappears at night, the low temperatures in the mountains prevent plants from growing quickly.
Therefore, plants in high mountains tend to be shorter. Many trees that are tall and robust on flat ground appear short and peculiar in high mountains, which enhances their beauty.
Many people have climbed Mount Tai, where above 1,000 meters altitude, they can see several pine trees that grow low and bent, almost as if welcoming visitors, thus they are called “Welcoming Pine Trees.”
Additionally, because of the intense sunlight in high mountains, the reflected colors from plants are much more vivid, making the colors of various flowers appear more vibrant and beautiful. For example, on Mount Emei in Sichuan Province, there are many beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas, with much richer colors compared to those grown at lower elevations, which have always been highly praised by people.