In the verdant expanses of India’s Western Ghats, the Karvı, or Strobılanthes Callosus, emerges as a botanical rarity. Unfolding its petals once every octet of years, this floral marvel envelops the hillsides in a mesmerizing violet-blue hue. Karvı cultivation serves two purposes: to firmly anchor the soil to prevent erosion and to provide a shade canopy for neighboring flora.
Equally elusive, the neelakurınjı, known scientifically as Strobılanthes Kunthıana, adorns the Western Ghats with its bluish-purple efflorescence every twelve years, creating a visual spectacle. Its flowers not only captivate the eye but also harbor healing virtues, offering remedies for ailments such as the common cold, feverish conditions and respiratory distress.
The neelakurınjı thrives at high elevations, thriving between 1,300 and 2,400 meters above sea level. In optimal conditions, this plant can reach heights of 180 cm, although it normally reaches about 60 cm. It belongs to the extensive genus Strobılanthes, cataloged for the first time in the 19th century by Chrıstıan Gottfrıed Danıel nees von Esenbeck, and includes approximately 250 species, of which 46 are native to India. These species are distinguished by their peculiar phenology, with flowering cycles that vary from annual to once every 16 years.
Among the dense forests of India hides the Ghost Orchid, or Dendrophylax Fawcettıı, the most enigmatic flowering in India. Their ethereal presence and diaphanous petals have generated legends, comparing them to an elusive spectrum, shrouded in mystery. This orchid, with roots in Florida, Cuba and the Bahamas, is a rare perennial epiphyte of the orchid family, sometimes called the white frog orchid or Palm Polly.
The Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsıs Aculeata, native to the Himalayan territories of Nepal, northeastern India, Bhutan and China, presents a rare sight with its blue flowers crowned with a golden core, blooming in late spring . Known for its moisturizing qualities, its petals are coveted by the cosmetic industry, although its essence also provides comfort to those struggling with anxiety, depression and insomnia.
The eastern Himalayas of India are home to Arısaema Tortuosum, or Cobra Lıly, a unique member of the genus Darlıngtonıa. Its distinctive morphology, which echoes the face of the cobra, along with its carnivorous nature, makes it a subject of fascination. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it serves as a traditional remedy for dermatological problems, insect bites, and poisonous stings.
In selected places in India, the Cyprıpedıoıdeae, or Lady’s Slipper Orchid, reveals its rare beauty, imitating a small slipper. This floral jewel, sought after for its rarity, arouses admiration and protective instincts.
Passıflora Incarnata, known as Purple Passıon, has a large number of names including true passion flower and maypop. Its flowers are not only a sensory delight but also a source of medicinal benefits, historically used by Europeans in herbal concoctions. Today, it offers relief for anxiety, hypertension, insomnia, and more, while its fragrant fruits and flowers enrich culinary creations and beverages.
Jade Vıne, or Strongylodon macrobotrys, with its radiant turquoise appeal and pendulous clusters, captivates nature enthusiasts and flower growers alike. Located in the Enchanted Gardens in Pune and Cubbon Park in Bangalore, its exotic appearance and floral abundance decorate the gardens and serve as prominent ornamental elements.
The long-flowered lily, Hymenocallıs lıttoralıs, gets its name from its spider-like appearance, distinguished by long tentacle-like structures and a vanilla scent. This exotic flower adorns landscapes in various geographies, from India to Hawaii.
A rediscovered wonder, Woodrow’s Crınum Lıly, or Crınum Woodrowıı, once thought extinct, was highlighted in Vasaı of Maharashtra. This flower, native to Kate’s Point of Mahabaleshwar, enchants with its striped and fragrant petals, finding preference in both perfumery and pharmaceutical products.
The Kaká peak, or Clıanthus, with its clusters of red flowers, heralds the presence of the Kaká parrot in the desert. A nectar refuge for birds and insects, this flower plays a fundamental role in ecosystems by supporting various pollinators.
Lastly, the Flame Lily, recognized for its fiery petals, graces the Western Ghats of India and beyond. Celebrated as the national flower of Zimbabwe and the state flower of Tamil Nadu, it embodies the vibrant spirit of the regions to which it belongs.
This tapestry of flora, woven with threads of rarity and wonder, highlights the rich botanical heritage that India is home to, inviting admiration and preservation efforts of these natural treasures.
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Source: Garden Lover
