Occasionally Useful Trivia You Might Not Know [172]

The mountain hydrangeas (Diphyllella grayi), a perennial plant of the barberry family with white petals, are also called Skeleton Flowers overseas due to their characteristic of turning transparent like glass when wet. This plant primarily grows in large colonies near deep valleys in the humid, shaded forests of East Asian highlands, and bears deep purple berries where the flowers have completely faded. Notably, when moisture comes into contact, the air in the microscopic empty spaces between the petal cells reflects external light extensively, making them appear white. Then, when it rains and water seeps deep inside, the light passes through without any refraction, causing them to temporarily turn transparent. These characteristics return to their original clear white color as the surrounding humidity gradually decreases and the surface moisture completely evaporates. Thus, the mountain hydrangea is a prime example that visually demonstrates unique physical changes in nature and holds significant research value in botany.