Leontopodium conglobatum is a plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China. Historically, this plant was classified as Leontopodium ochroleucum subsp. conglobatum; current botanical consensus, however, recognises it as the distinct species. The genus name Leontopodium derives from the Greek leon (“lion”) and podion (“little foot”), referring to the shape of its dense, woolly inflorescence that resembles a small paw. The epithet conglobatum reflects its compact floral arrangement, a distinctive trait that sets it apart from other edelweiss forms. The plant favours rocky habitats at elevations of approximately 1800–3000 metres. Botanists regard Leontopodium conglobatum as an indicator species for pristine high‑altitude ecosystems; its presence often signals minimal human disturbance and stable ecological conditions.
