A low-growing plant with dense, compact flowering growth that forms a cushion-like mound.
Compound from 'cushion' and 'flower', a descriptive botanical term. Likely emerges in the 19th century with systematic plant classification and horticulture becoming fashionable among educated classes.
Alpine and arctic plants evolved cushion forms to survive harsh winds and cold—the term 'cushionflower' is botanists' poetic way of describing a brilliant survival strategy millions of years old.
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