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1 - Espeletia sp., 4150 m, Paso Pico El Aquila, Merida, Venezuela |
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In addition, these giant rosettes also engage in some avoidance by closing their leaves over the apical bud during the night, thereby preventing radiative frost and also retaining some heat absorbed during the day in the center of this giant structure. Note that inflorescences (left in the picture) also point downward and are capped with white felt. The water in the stem is also protected from freezing by a massive coat of dead leaf bases, which also serve as a fire guard. |