Amischotolype hookeri

Amischotolype hookeri (Hassk.) H.Hara , in Fl. E. Himal. 399 1966. (Syn: Forrestia hookeri Hassk.);

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Commelinales and Zingiberales Week: Commelinaceae: Amischotolype hookeri: “Amischotolype hookeri (Hasskarl) H. Hara.” (=Forrestia hookeri Hasskarl)

Plants 1—2 m. Leaf elliptic, apex acuminate. Flowers purple-red. Capsule ovoid,

Photographed in the evergreen forests at western Assam

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Flora Picture of the Year 2012, Mayur Nandikar: Please consider my entry as a Flora Pic. of the year 2012.

During the month of October 2012, I visited North East states, to explore Commeilnaceae members. One day I have spent in Experimental Botanical Garden, Umiam- Eastern Regional Centre, BSI, Shillong, Meghalaya. Surprisingly, I find number of Commelinaceae members over there, including one of the fascinating species of Amischotolype, exclusively known from North East states of India. Mr. Rabha accompanied me during the visit, he was worked as a botanist (NE Circle, Shillong), simple person but with extraordinary talent in field. Only because of Mr. Rabha’s efforts, I can able to see few rare and endemic plants from the states under one roof. Now he has been retired (possibly) from the service. I must be thankful to him for his service & contribution in the field of plant conservation.

I am attaching the fruting twig of Amischotolype hookeri Hassk. and Mr. Rabha photograph in inset.

Amischotolype Hassk.is paleotropic genus, c. 26 species, mainly in S, E and SE Asia (excluding Sri Lanka), of which four species are strictly found in tropical AfricaDuistermaat (2012). In India genus represented by three species (modified after Karthikeyan et al 1989).

Amischotolype hookeri (Hassk.) H. Hara, Fl. E. Himalaya 1: 399. 1966.

In Khasi it is called “Slaw-sai-sum”

Rhizomatous, perennial herb, rhizome prostrate, stem stout and grows up to 100–400 m high.Flowers sessile, white to pink; sepals persistent, connate at base, green to deep purple, glabrous or rarely sparsely ciliate margin, tip hooded; petals as long as sepals, white to pale pink, glabrous, fleshy; stamens filament c 1mm long; anthers, yellow, opening by a longitudinal slit. Capsule 1–1.5 × 0.5.–0.7 cm, ovoid, much exerted (3–5 mm)from sepals, pink or purple, sparsely hairy, hairs long; valves free to fused in basal half, apex acute, lobes absent; seeds 2 per locule, 5 x 3 mm, testa variously reticulate, grey, hilum linear, embryotega not distinguished but lateral, embedded in scarlet coloured fleshy aril.

Distribution& ecology–India and Bangladesh; in North East parts of India, in evergreen forests, on slopes, in forest undergrowths.

Wonderful picture & details. Thanks for remembering the persons who are anonymously doing a lot of good work.

Agree with … that you remembered the guy who helped you, good. We got to see your helpful friend.
thank you. I love this human-i-centric attitude ( as apposed to eurocentric viewpoint where the excellent artists and collectors of botanical specimen were not named if they happened to be “native” ) , there is hope for us …

The story tells about your genuine efforts to hunt for flowers.
Nice story associated with a rare Commelinaceae member. I have added this to Flora Picture 2012