The Rare Flowers of Sahyadri

In my last 15 years of trekking experience all that groped my attention was these tiny, miniscule, vivid and rare nodding beauties, the rare wild flowers. The rare flowers of Sahyadris, I was obsessed to write a book on them featuring their photographs, but had to shed the project because of lack of research. The fascination is still on and hopes can still be explored. Yet, in this short account of rare wild flowers of Sahyadris, I wish to bring the rare, unexplored wild flowers which being in your vicinity are sometimes so conspicuous. It’s a game of find and seek.  I have here one of the Macro Experts and Photographer from India  - Mr. Yuwaraj Gurjar sharing his pictures with me, in this blog, to bring the best experience forth.

A commanding hill slope at Torna Fort painted with Balsam (Pink) & Sonki (Yellow) bloom

Trekking is not much of a sport to the Indian community, but the ones who trek have and will explore the glory of these wild flowers. Sahyadris holds a habitat conducive for over 2000 species of wild blooms. The spread is across seasons and different season have their varied charm. While monsoons and post monsoons enjoys the best and maximum spread of wildflowers, the winters offer equally colorful flowers. Different flowers grow over varying altitude and the species change with every changing month. The monsoons remain the best time to explore.

The description on the rare flowers of Sahyadris here has been kept very non-scientific and non-technical for the understanding of the maximum readers. The approach is to highlight the local flower names for the benefit of ease in remembering.

Research shows there are more than 150 species which are endemic to the North Western Ghats (Sahyadris), which means exclusively found here. Amongst the rare flowers of Sahyadris, there are some species which bloom once in 7 years. There are species which blanket the hill  slopes and floor from August onwards. While some are insectivorous and others cleverly camouflaged to the naked eye. While the taxonomist and biologist are working their best to identify and document, various species are still under scanner and study. 2000 plus flower species adorn the Sahyadris and present a colorful palette which only remains a sight to behold.

Monsoons are the ideal time to experience these rare species. Avoid high rainfall months of June- July. August is a better time to venture and September is the most promising one.

Flower Expert Mr. Shrikant Ingalhalikar has penned a series of 3 books on Flowers of Sahyadris. His extensive research in this field draws some spectacular observations like different flowers bloom over months, weeks and sometimes just minutes. Flowers that bloom at noon, mid night and through the day. His books on Flowers of Sahyadris are the best field guides for exploring the rare gems of wild flowers in Sahyadris.

While we begin our journey of bringing you the rare flowers of Sahyadris, stay put and wonder behind the effort at spotting the flowers, identifying them and photographing them (sometimes under difficult situations).

For people who cannot trek, Kas Plateau is an ideal destination to experience the wild flowers of Sahyadris. Though Kas has an immense spread of species, some species remain exotic and loyal only to much higher altitudes and can be explored by trekking. Kas was once open to the public.. Under huge media coverage, the place now has called for a restricted approach. The sensitive habitat is losing its viability under the immense exposure and hence the meadows remains cordoned off under tight security.

                                                           The cordoned  kas meadows (Image by - Jyoti Rane)

What remains much known to the major trekking fraternity and otherwise are the flowers like Karvi (Strobilanthes Callosus), which blooms once in 7 years. The hills are painted purple with the rare bloom.

 Sonki (Senecio bombayensis)the yellow wild head that blankets the hills from early September.

Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) the ubiquitous flower of the Sahyadris. What needs to be seen is much beyond this and what holds to be visualised is a highly colourful and captivating world of wild flowers.

Ceropegias (Local Name - Kharchudi)

This flower come in unusual shapes and formations. The Ceropagia species is the rare kinds and difficult to spot. It is highly colourful and comes in the most distinct formations. Ceropagias have unusual pitcher shaped formation for influencing pollination. The shape renders insects to be trapped for a while before they move out.

                                                                           Ceropegia   (Image by Yuwaraj Gurjar)


                                      An outstanding perspective of Ceropegia Hirsuta ( Image by Yuwaraj Gurjar)

The Drossera indica and Drossera burmani are insectivorous flowers and are so minute as small as 1 centimeter that one needs to be actually patient to spot them.

The snake flower, also known as cobra lily is a perfect imitation of a snake flicking its tongue.

The Orchidaceae family presents a variety of species in formations like a doll, a comb  and many others. Commonly known as Habe Amri, the flowers appear in yellow and white colors.

• The approach is not easy. Spotting and photographing these flowers in the wild is a challenge. Challenge because one needs to have a very keen eye to spot these flowers. The wind in the outdoors in uncontrollable, photographing under such situations is difficult. 
• Some flower species are rare and found at certain high altitude only.
• Some flower species are very tiny (as small as 1 cm)
• Some are available only across the slopes and therefore have difficult access.
• Most of the Sahyadri flowers bloom in monsoons, spotting them and photographing them along knee length grass is an open invitation to reptiles too.

                                                                     Motha Sunki ((Image by - Amit Rane)

Do's & Dont's

• Don't risk at places to obtain a flower species, as there will be certainly another sample to find.
• Don't pluck these wild flowers or tread on them, as they already have a very small life.
• Sit and enjoy the flowers, its a treat to the eyes.
• Carry field guides on Sahyadri Flowers for your treks and trips to identify better.
• Look for specifications, a flower family is further classified under different species with minute demarcations.
• Observe the formations and don't forget to smell them.
• Experience different flowers across different seasons.
• Fall in love with them as they are worth your affinity.
• Look out for reptiles when you venture for spotting wild flowers.

Links -  For flowers of Kas -

https://myodysseyss.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/kas-chronicles/

Text by - Jyoti Rane 

Image Courtesy - Yuwaraj Gurjar, Amit Rane & Jyoti Rane