Snowy coombs are natural hollows in the ground where snow accumulates and melts very late in the season. Plants that live in this type of environment only have a few weeks to develop, blossom and ensure the survival of their species before the first snow falls in autumn.

In order to spread its little fringed petals as early as possible, the Alpine Snowbell starts to develop under the snow and then pierces through the thin, icy film that covers it.
Soldanella alpina © PNV / Ludovic Imberdis
The Herbaceous Willow, the size of which barely exceeds 2 centimetres (it's the smallest tree in the world), carpets the bottom of depressions. The dwarfism of this plant helps to protect it from the cold. Two little opposing leaves surround a catkin, male or female depending on the individual plant.
Salix herbacea © PNV / Jacques Perrier