Social media users are interested in natural flora, so there are many discussions about it. However, some social media posts are misleading. This is our investigation into one such series of posts.
Social Media Posts
Claims are circulating on social media stating that images of large lotus flowers growing on Mount Kailash depict the rare flower species called “snow lotus.”
These posts are viral in Sri Lankan social media and also in local languages.
We decided to do a fact-check on this.
Fact Check
Is there a mountain called Mount Kailash?
Yes, there is a mountain named Mount Kailash, also known as Kailasa or Gang Rinpoche. It is located in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region of China, within the Kailash Range of the Transhimalayas. The mountain rises to an elevation of 6,638 m (21,778 ft) and is considered sacred by multiple religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon. Mount Kailash is near the trijunction of China, India, and Nepal. More details about it can be read here.
Do snow lotus flowers exist?
Yes, there are flower species in the Saussurea genus known as “snow lotus.” One notable species is Saussurea laniceps, commonly known as the “cotton-headed snow lotus.” It is found in the Himalayas, including regions of southwest China, Tibet, Yunnan, and Sikkim in India. This flower grows at altitudes above 3,200 m (10,500 ft) on alpine scree slopes. It is a small, delicate plant and is valued for its reputed medicinal properties in traditional Chinese medicine, especially for its anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. More details about it can be read here.
There is another Saussurea species named as Saussurea involucrate. The viral social media posts align with this species. This species also known as snow lotus.
The above photo from social media can be considered as a depiction of Saussurea involucrate. The related video can be referred to below.
This rare plant can be found at 4,000 m elevation in Chinese mountains ,Tibetaian mountains and etc.More details can be read here Related photos of Saussurea involucrate can be found here in Stockphotos. More any such photos can be found here in Science Direct also.
The plant has several medicinal and herbal applications:
Traditional medicine
In traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine, snow lotus treats headaches, high blood pressure, menstrual problems, and inflammation. Uighur folk medicine uses it for rheumatoid arthritis, stomach pain, and menstrual disorders. (Source)
Skincare
Snow lotus contains anti-inflammatory compounds that soothe skin and promote wound healing. It is also used in topical treatments to enhance skin appearance. (Source)
Do the viral images of large lotus flowers on Mount Kailash depict real snow lotus flowers?
To verify the authenticity of the viral images, we analyzed them using AI moderation tools like Hive Moderation. The analysis indicates that some of these images are generated using AI and do not represent real-life photographs.
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Conclusion
The viral images claiming to depict large lotus flowers on Mount Kailash as the “snow lotus” are some true and some misleading. While both Mount Kailash and snow lotus flowers exist, the large flowers in some images are AI-generated and bear no resemblance to the snow lotus species. However, some images are true. The true images depict Saussurea involucrate species
Title:Do Images of Large Lotus Flowers on Mount Kailash Depict the “Snow Lotus”?
Fact Check By: Kalana KrishanthaResult: Misleading
