Drimia polyantha (Blatt. & McCann) Stearn, Ann. Mus. Goulandris 4: 209 1978. (Syn: Indurgia polyantha (Blatt. & McCann) Speta; Thuranthos polyanthus (Blatt. & McCann) Speta; Urginea polyantha Blatt. & McCann);
 

Images
by Shrikant Ingalhalikar (Inserted by J.M.Garg) (For more images & complete details,
click on the links)

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Kas Week: Phoenix of Kas 1: In summer the dry leaf litter on Kas plateau gets crispy dry as the temperature of rocks may reach 56 C. The litter catches fire very easily and the fire spreads with the speed of wind and the whole plateau wears thin layer of ash in minutes. Some plants with underground parts seem to wait for the fire to pass. They apparently send out flowers only after fire to protect flowers/seeds. The fire does not harm underground tubers bulbs and rhizomes. The (invasive) perennials with woody biomass get destroyed. This is how the fire may be helping the annuals. The capsules get crispy in fire and they crack and disperse seeds when they come in contact with first rain.

One plant that rises on Kas plateau from the ashes like Phoenix is Drimia polyantha. It has a globose bulb of about 4-5 cm. Fleshy numerous leaves grow in rainy season to provide food for grazing animals.


…, I regard you as ”David Attenborough of India”, for the style and amount of information you pour about plants… Great learning to all of us…


… liked very much the title of “David Attenborough of India”.


  
 
 
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