Christisonia tubulosa (Wight) Benth. ex Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 321 1884. (Syn: Oligopholis tubulosa Wight);
Common name: Magenta Ghost Flower
India as per Catalogue of Life;
Fleshy leafless parasitic herbs, 15-26 cm high. Stem scaly, simple or branched from the rootstock. Scales 2-3 mm long, ovate-lanceolate. Inflorescence terminal, lax racemes; pedicels 1-2.5 cm long. Calyx tubular; tube 0.8-1.2 cm long; lobes obtuse. Corolla funnel-shaped, purplish white; tube 2.5-4 cm long, 2-lipped, 5-lobbed; lobes orbicular, subequal, lower lip yellowish at throat. Stamens 4, didynamous, connivent in pairs; anthers 2-celled, 1 cell perfect, other sterile, spurred. Ovary 1-celled, ovules many; style slender; stigma peltate. Capsule 0.8-1.2 cm long, ovoid. Seeds many, minute, calyx tube persistent in fruits. Flowering and fruiting: July-August
Evergreen and shola forests
Southern Western Ghats (endemic)
(Attributions- Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
Family: Orobanchaceae
Date: 12th September 2015 Place: Thattekadu Bird Sanctuary, Ernakulam District, Kerala Habit: Herb Habitat: Semi-evergreen forest Great Find …
I too had seen this root parasitic plant in Munnar region in 2006 and i was told that this is very rare. This plant was rediscovered in 2003, after 90 years! See this link, http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/07/17/stories/2003071704580500.htm Interesting information!
Thank you very much sir. |