Lobelia deckenii is a species of giant lobelia, endemic to East Africa's mountains. It is the only alpine species of lobelia that lives on Kilimanjaro. They are most commonly found between 3,300m and 4,200m.
Each rosette flowers only once before dying and is replaced by another rosette. There are multiple rossettes per plant which link underground and look like different plants.
The rosettes of leaves close over the core at night and water freezes above it.
The water below the top layer of ice never freezes then, so the sensitive leaf bud is protected from sub-zero temperatures.
When yook carefully inside, you will see blue flowers sheltering inside their protection.