At Mount Rainier National Park, subalpine meadow plants survive in severe conditions. Snow can cover the ground for nine months or more, freezing winds sweep the slopes, and the soil is thin and volcanic, yet plants at this elevation complete their growth cycle in a short summer season. Their adaptations make that possible. Fuzzy hairs on birds beak lousewort retain heat and trap moisture, helping the plant endure the cold. Glacier lilies bloom from receding snowbanks as soon as conditions allow, taking advantage of the brief growing season. In mid-summer, the Paradise meadows fill with these specialized wildflowers.