Flora Picture of the year 2014
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FLORA PICTURE OF THE YEAR 2014
Best images of 2014 posted by members of Efloraofindia
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Impatiens parasitica
A beautiful Balsam (Impatiens parasitica Bedd.) of the family Balsaminaceae. The photo taken from Minnampara hills of Nelliyampathy forest, Palakkad during August 2014. The species is strictly endemic to southern region of Western Ghats.
Prabhu Kumar Km
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Brachycorythis wightii Summerh.
This plant was like sighting a treasure, when I found it standing all alone, in contrast among other plants and grasses.
It was a prized feeling when I realized it is endemic to southern Western Ghats, and a rare plant.
4 JUN 14 … Eravikulam National Park
Dinesh Valke
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Cardiocrinum giganteum
This Year in June we planned to visit Great Himalayan National Park and Banjar valley in Himachal. Just near the scheduled plan, only we two members me and Shrikant Ingalhalikar ji were ready to go. During this 7-8 days event we visited many places like Chehni Kothi, Shringi Rishi Ashram, Shikari Devi Temple Jalori Pass, Naldehra, Narkanda, Banjar, Tirthan Valley etc. Also this time we faced the two big problems, one is Brake Failure of Our Car while climbing Down from Jalori pass and Accommodation and Food Problem on last night of visit.
Despite of all such things, this tour will always be remembered for the exciting wonderful flora we could get during this visit, Hospitality provided at Brahmkumari’s Guest House Near Tirthan and above all excellent colors of nature spreading over the entire Banjar, Tirthan Valley and around Shikari Devi Temple. The two most exciting findings were Cardiocrinum giganteum and Capparis spinosa. I saw Giant Himalayan Lily first time and it was in full bloom. Capparis spinosa we could find in flowering at only one place and on only a single plant in that non flowering season for that plant.
One plant Cardiocrinum giganteum, The Giant Himalayan Lily, I am sharing as my flora picture of the year 2014.
Balkar Singh
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Hydrolea
The mobile phone revolution is perpetual. It has made many a things redundant. Be it a pen, paper, calender, diary, radio, music-video player, computer, torch, map, GPS or a watch. Many more will submit themselves in the new year.
Last few years I wondered at the junk of my film cameras, now I am afraid my mobile phone has made my DSLR cameras redundant too. As a prejudice I struck rare plants only when I did not or forgot to carry my cameras. Now I forget them by default because my inseparable mobile phone always clings to my heart from my pocket. Now when I get something exciting I am not disappointed or I do not rush home to get the camera.
These are tiny flowers of Hydrolea 7 mm size, shot hand held in full frame and unedited though the phone offers all instant tools to edit.
Let us see what 2015 has to offer.
Shrikant Ingalhalikar
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Paphiopedilum purpuratum
This is Paphiopedilum purpuratum (Lindl.) Stein. This is supposed to be rare and known to be originally described from collections from Hong Kong. Recently it has been discovered in Vietnam and mainland China.
In Hong Kong this plant is highly threatened due to poaching and development works.
Hope you all will like it.
Pankaj Kumar
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Arundina graminea
This is quite difficult for anyone to choose a single out of numerous shots, each recorded with equal interest and dedication, and same is true for me..
The year 2014 brought a lot of opportunities for me to go out and record the plant sightings, starting in February 2014 when I got my much awaited tiny orchid, Zeuxine streumatica from Morni Hills…we visited Chakrata in April and again Morni Hills in October..
But my most memorable tour was Kalimpong-Pelling-Darjeeling Tour in May 2014 with Smita Ji, a die hard lover of orchids. There are so many things to tell about the tour, the professionalism of the hotel owners, cab owners and everyone out there, during the time which they call the “peak tourist season”- abhi to kamana hai.
The cab people are so professionals.. they charged whatever they wished, still they tried to travel non-stop.. we had to quarrel with almost all the drivers that we are paying a good amount, and we will stop wherever we see any new plant, our sole aim to come here from far away places is to observe plants, but we never succeeded in telling them that we are not tourists..
On the first day, while going from Siliguri to Kalimpong, I observed a large number of tall plants among the grasses, which I immediately took as orchids, but being in a bus I could not get down to see or record them..
During all our days of stay there, we didn’t get this orchid anywhere…Smita Ji was desperate to get it but I told her that bamboo orchid was not on any of our usual routes..we have to plan a special visit to that area.. what, if I am wrong in id or in relocating the plant, in that case we will waste money and a valuable day, still we decided to go for it..
On the day of my back journey, we planned a visit from Darjeeling to Siliguri from indirect route (not the smallest) which will connect with the same road going from Siliguri to Kalimpong at the Teesta Bridge..this was sheer luck that we got few individuals of the bamboo orchid growing towards this part of the road and I realized that the sizeable number which I had seen during up journey was actually after Teesta Bridge towards Kalimpong and not this side..
On sight of this orchid, Smita Ji was so excited that she dropped the lens cover of her camera, not to be found again, but we were very happy to be successful in the end.
Nidhan Singh
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I had restricted to myself to clicking photographs of ornamental plants and botanical garden trees etc. until June this year when one of my good friends suggested that I start visiting the forests nearby Bangalore. Soon after this came a visit to Coorg where unfortunately I did not get to see much due to heavy rains in the area. However, a month later, while talking to a fellow member on India Flora (Facebook) I discovered that he was the deputy conservator of forests in the Chikamagalur area of Western Ghats. He cordially invited me to Chikamagalur and even offered to let my friends and me use his car to travel around.
On the first day, while exploring the beautiful and scenic ghat section, a car pulled up and a man stepped out and asked us what we were doing. We told him that we were looking for plants, butterflies, amphibians and odonates to which he replied that he owned land in the mountains and gave us permission to enter the area. We visited his estate and discovered to our joy that his ‘estate’ actually consisted of grasslands and forests! We climbed into the mountains and found a nice spot to relax and enjoy the serenity of nature. It was here that the attached photo was taken, which perfectly describes the setting of the place where we spent the next hour at. Endless grasslands, slowly descending clouds and tens of thousands of Strobilanthes sp. forming the bulk of the mountain slopes, this overwhelming feeling that nature’s beauty gave us caused such a longing to revisit the Western Ghats that two days later while sitting in a Chemistry class in college, my friend and I decided that come what may, we would attempt to visit some part of the Western Ghats each and every month!
This place and the memory that this photo evokes is definitely one of the reasons that drives me to continue exploring forests as much as I can. I have only just started out, but hopefully will discover many other places that will only serve to increase my love for nature and plants!
Anurag Sharma
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Miltoniopsis ‘Bert Field’
I spent full 6 months of 2014, and that too the prominent growing season, in California, USA and naturally I clicked most of my photographs there only. It made all the more difficult to choose my Flora picture of the year, with so many unique plants seen for the first time. This year I also had occasion to visit some very well managed nurseries, with labelled plants, that made my job of identification very easy, though it also gave me an occasion to correct some of their labels.
At one stage I had decided to upload a collage of few photographed, but not knowing whether this would be approved by Garg ji and Satish Phadke ji, I am uploading cultivar of this beautiful orchid photographed from Summerwinds Nursery in Sunnyvale, California.
Gurcharan Singh
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Liquidambar styraciflua
This year, I had quite a few pictures to choose from.
Adding a picture of Liquidambar styraciflua taken in Fremont, California during a short visit in September.
The color of these leaves really fascinated me.
Earlier, I had seen the leaves only in pictures.
Quoting Gurcharan Ji on our group “A tree with leaves like maple and inflorescence like Platanus”.
Common names include Aligator Wood, American Storax and American Sweetgum.
Aarti Khale
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Saussurea graminifolia
Trekking in Himalayas is always exiting and adventurous. I had been on a 10 days trekking expedition in “Great Himalayan Nationanl Park” (GHNP) in Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh during Sepetember 2014. It was a great experience. The maximum altitude reached during this trek was approximately 4000m.
Trek covered both the Tirthan valley and Sainj Valley and it was bit strenuous at times. We started our trek from Village Ghusaini (near Sai Ropa) and then camping at Rolla, Chodwar, Guntarao, Dhel, Bherad Nalla, Shakti and finally at Sainj Ropa.
Even though it was not a very good time for watching flora but still i could find some new ones for me.
While we were traversing a bit difficult slope en-route Dhel Pass, i was greeted by this cute little mountain beauty “Saussurea graminifolia”. New find for me..
Saussurea graminifolia is my Flora Picture of the Year-2014. Also sharing a habitat photo of this small herb..
Prashant Awale
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In the lurking shadows of the twilight, these gleamy raindrops were conceiving a surreal reflection of the adjacent tree, much in contrast to the shallow vacuum of the ambient bokeh orbs. These fleeting raptures would soon dissolve into a realm that no lens or eye could contain.
Photographed in the evening rain in Kandivali, North Mumbai (July 2014).
Best wishes,
Viplav
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Phaloenpsis taenialis
Sikkim Darjeeling tour May 2014 was memorable for me
I can describe as ‘Orchid Tour’
We found 15 orchids in 12 days
Phaloenpsis taenialis is one of the beauties
I hope you will also enjoy
Smita Raskar
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Pegaeophyton purii (D.S.Rawat, L.R.Dangwal & R.D.Gaur) Al-Shehbaz (Brassicaceae)
The genus has only seven species in the world, most of them described in last 30-40 years, occurring in alpine Himalaya and adjacent China.
This species was described by us in 1996 though the specimens were collected much earlier by me from Roopkund area in Uttarakhand. This area is a high Himalayan terrain with hostile climate and strenuous tracks. I trekked to Rupkund and adjacent areas as early as in 1987 as a B.Sc. student to participate in the Asia’s longest religious on foot journey (20 days, + 200kms) “Nanda Devi Raj Jat 1987”. This area made a deep impression in my mind and called me back in 1990s twice as a research student. I missed the Nanda Devi Raj Jat in 2000 but collected all my energy and strength to join this journey in 2014. The objective was to see and photograph the flora of this area (photographs and negatives of optical cameras shot earlier have become a history and of little use) in addition to religious reverence.
Pegaeophyton purii is a tiny perennial herb (rosettes 2-3 cm across only) with sparse population restricted to Roopund area (a point endemic) in the world. After a long gap of nearly two decades I was sceptical about our encounter with it. BUT the hard toil proved worthy as I was able to photograph this species first time in the world. The tiny beauty rising up from the rock crevices and between small boulders greeted us at least at 5-6 places, still persisting in its native land.
I have added two more pics to show the area, one depicting the type locality and other showing panorama behind the ridge. This entire area sustains some splendid alpines, breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks and rich flora. The love for these landscapes had rewarded me one new species and few, collected this year, are to be published as new.
Who knows when I will be able to visit this area once again?
D.S.Rawat
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This unidentified picture is a reminder of my last trek in July’ 2010 to Namdhapa. I loved my treks so much for its freshness & energy, to take me in the lap of Himalayas, which only a few are lucky to undertake.
Since than efloraofindia has been my priority & I could not undertake any more treks as it would have otherwise disrupted my work on efloraofindia. I even put my pictures for identification on least priority. Incidentally, work on efi site begin in Nov.’2010.
But I have no regrets as what as a group we have done is beyond any body’s imagination.
I feel work of a team is much greater than a work of an individual. And to work as a part of this team of efloraofindia is the most satisfying.
J.M.Garg
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Cardiospermum corindum
My flora picture for the year 2014 is Cardiospermum corindum captured from Nagarjun Sagar recently in Nov 2014. It was posted for ID in our group around a month back.
I found these very tiny looking flowers very cute and beautiful.
Narendra Joshi
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Amorphophallus titanum
I am posting the picture of Amorphophallus titanum as my Flora Picture of 2014.
The species produces the largest unbranched inflorescence of the world. This plant, native to Sumatra Islands of Indonesia, is growing in the medicinal plant garden of University of Mississippi.
Two of the plants in our garden bloomed in May and June marking the first two published blooms in 2014 as per Wikipedia.
I have posted this earlier in the group and you can also find more pictures here.
It is a pleasure to see this stunning, spectacular giant, if you can manage the strong odor!
Thank you
Vijay
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Leucas eriostoma
Dear friend I used travel different parts of southern India every month to a nice location in order to explore the flora of the area. Usually I will be in the field by early morning. I will be in the field up to 2- 3 O clock. I used to move very slowly by observing the flora and taking the photographs using different back grounds. Some times i used collect some samples 500 g – 1 kg for research work. In my journey I happened to see several interesting taxa. If I check I may get a list. Among them I selected one plant for my flora picture of the year. Leucas eriostoma Hook.f.is my flora picture of the year 2014.I saw this taxa first time, I found this from Tidyandmul area of Coorg, which is an interior area adjacent to some coffee cultivation.The vegetation is unique and human movement is also less there.
P.Santhan
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Ceropegia noorjahaniae
Almost after a long time, I am back on Eflora 🙂
Here I am Sharing my first post in this New Year !!
In the Monsoon 2014, I had visited few places of Pune, Satara and surrounding region in the search of Ceropegia !! In the first week of August, me and wildlife photography group has decided to search rare beauty “Ceropegia noorjahaniae” !! Almost after a 3-4 hour searching in the field, we find this beautiful flower. It was very difficult to identify this small herb in grassland habitat. Plant was totally camouflaged with grasses on the slope.
Also, I am very glad to share that, my Ceropegia noorjahaniae’s photo is 1st WINNER photograph of wildlife photography competition under the category Endemic and Endangered !! Photography competition was organised by Indradhanush Environmental Centre, Pune & Rajiv Gandhi Park Pune.
Sharing same photograph as my Flora Picture of the Year 2014, which gave me special honour in 2014 !! 🙂 Ceropegia noorjahaniae, Asclepiadaceae.
Warm regards,
Anita Kindre
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Sonchus arvensis
My flora picture of the year 2014 is dispersal of fruits of Sonchus arvensis L. To capture these images of this species I had to wait for many days and at last I got the images.
With regards
Karuna Kanta Das
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Bombax ceiba
I have chosen this picture of Red Silk Cotton tree as the
“Flora picture of the Year 2014”
I just love the colour and texture of the petals of its flowers.
Dr. Satish Phadke
Posted by SATISFIED at 5:27 AM
