I have
in front of me, a fairly large sized field, full of small herbs with
most of them having a purple pink flower at the top. On careful
observation, they turn out to be Impatiens or “Terda” flowers (
Impatiens laweii) with leaves directly growing from the herb stalk
itself.
In the middle of this sea of purple pink flowers, an island
cluster of erect shrubs catches my attention. This bunch is slightly
taller than the Impatiens and also has a flower of dark blue colour.
These are probably “Karvi” ( Strobilanthes callosus) flowers. I
look around; I can only see Impatiens flowers around. Surprisingly,
this perhaps is the only small cluster of these blue flowers that has
bloomed.
Toothbrush Orchid
Dipkadi
I walk
further ahead. In the sea of Impatiens around me, I can see two,
similar looking erect plants; both very similar to “Nishigandha”
or Tuberose with their white flowers. Yet, closer examination reveals
that they are quite different. The first one has all the flowers
grown out only in one direction at right angles to the stalk, like
bristles on a tooth brush. This one is actually an orchid or a plant
that survives on air and is called as “Toothbrush Orchid”
(Habenaria heyneana). The other one is known locally as “Suichi
Bhaji” or Dipcadi (Dipcadi montanum) and is actually from “Lily”
family. Toothbrush Orchid flowers are plain white whereas Dipcadi
flowers are greenish white.
Chavar
Utricularia
On my
left, I can see two more erect herbs that very much look like buds
with a multipetal structure. Actually, these are supposed to be
Rhizome ( plants with subterranean stem that is usually found
underground; like ginger for example) herbs and called as “Chavar”
(Hitchenia caulina). Ahead of them, I can see some blue flowers, with
a single bluish purple petal. This lovely little herb is actually an
insectivorous and survives on tiny insects. The blue petal has a
white spot in the middle, which in reality is a trap door. Whenever
any insect sits on this, the trap door folds inwards with the insect
falling inside the stem, where it is consumed. The plant is known as
“Sitechi Asave” or Utricularia (Utricularia purpurascens).
Topali Karvi
Kanher Valley
On my
right the flatland is now giving way to a slope leading to valley,
where I can see a huge reservoir of water. This one has been formed
by a dam built on “Kanher” river. On the sloping ground, I can
see a strange looking shrub. It has a perfect dome like shape and
looks alike a round wicker basket kept upside down. This is supposed
to bloom only once in seven years and the blue flowers produce a type
of honey considered medicinally important. It is called as “Topali
Karvi” or “Kharwar” or “Bukra ( Strobilanthes sessilis),
Eriocaulon
The
sea of purple pink Impatiens has now given way to white globules.
These balls of white flowers look like dots on green background. The
balls are actually clusters of small white flowers, bundled together
like a ball. Known as Eriocaulon or “Genthe” ( Eriocaulon
stellulatum).
Ahead
of me is a rocky patch. We decide to pause here and get our scattered
group together. The kids are running around, being very curious and
their parents rushing around trying to keep a tab on them. The single
ladies are engrossed in some serious talk. I hear a few words, while
passing by them. The talkative one is telling them about her
experiences in Atlanta. The IT guys are taking snaps with their
expensive cameras with giant sized zoom and close up lenses/ Their
poses bring smile on my face. I can see a guy with his head almost
dipped in a shrub, another one is lying down on ground, next to a
flower.
Karvi
After
an interval, the group reassembles and we continue to walk ahead. I
can see another shrub with hairy leaves and blue cup flowers jutting
out of the cream coloured buds. These are “Karvi” ( Strobilanthes
callosus) flowers all right. I am very much near the border fence
now, which would mean that my stroll in nature's genetic laboratory
is almost coming to an end. Then suddenly, my attention is drawn to a
small cluster of shrubs with turmeric yellow flowers. The flower has
three petals with two of them having large bright red spots that very
much look like eyes. The flower sometimes is jokingly called as
Donald Duck flowers. These funny looking flowers are known as “Berki”
or Smithia (Smithia bigemina). I find a particular flower that looks
like a Chihuahua.
Smithia
I look
at the watch, it's already 1.30 PM, which means that we have spent
almost 3 hours in this place without knowing how the time was spent.
Even when I have no knowledge of botany, I have found, with an
occasional help from an expert, this nature's laboratory to be one of
the most intriguing experience, wondering how and why nature creates
so many species and keeps them modifying.
Our
group waits for the bus, which has been parked at quite a distance.
By the time we reach Satara city it's already half past two. We march
to a decent place for lunch, where a vegetarian meal awaits us. After
the meal, we shall again drive up the western ghat hills, to visit
another majestic site before we start our journey towards home.
(To be
continued)
3rd
October 2014
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