Saussurea

Meadows dominate above 3,800 m and form the only vegetation above 4,000 m along with high-alpine species such as Saussurea medusa.

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, China 2009

Forty-five medicinal plants are used by local villagers and several species, such as Saussurea obvallata (brahmakamal) are collected as religious offerings to Nanda Devi and other deities.

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park, India 2008

From 4,200 m to 4,800 m, vegetation consists of high-alpine species e.g: Saussurea medusa, Rhodiola spp.,

Huanglong National Scenic Area, China 2009

Of these plants, 5 out of 6 species globally threatened are not found in Nanda Devi National Park or elsewhere in Uttaranchal: Aconitum falconeri, A. balfouri, Himalayan maple Acer caesium, the blue Himalayan poppy Mecanopsis aculeate and Saussurea atkinsoni. 31 species are classified as nationally rare.

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park, India 2008

The flower Saussurea obvallata is collected by local villagers to be used as a religious offering to Nanda Devi and other deities.

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park, India 2008

The status of rare and endangered flora such as the populations of Saussurea obvallata, Meconopsis aculeata, Cypripedium cordigerum, Dactlyorhiza hatagirea, Aconitum spp. in permanent plots;

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park, India 2008

There are also several colorful herbs like Saussurea simpsoniana, Potentilla argyrophylla, Geum elatum, Senecio spp.,

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park, India 2008

A sparse subnival zone supports cushion plants like Saussurea gnaphaloides and Melandrium apetalum above 5,300 m.

North Tibetan Plateau-Kunlun Mountains alpine desert 2008

Some cushion plants and woolly alpine forbs like Leontopodium, Saussurea, Arenaria bryophylla, and Thylacospermum caespitosum also grow here and owe their distinctive morphology to the rigors of the alpine environment, including a short growing season, persistent winds, high potential evapotranspiration, and intense solar radiation.

Central Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe 2008

Not in this list is Saussurea sudhanshui, newly described from the area.

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park, India 2008