file photo of a dendrobium
Come April – the deep and dark jungles of
Manipur are alive and vibrant with exotic and colourful orchids of different
shapes and sizes, though other equally beautiful species also flower in autumn
and winter. Grown in the wilderness of the emerald green forests, these exotic
flowers are in a class by themselves and an irresistible temptation to
orchidomaniacs.
It is estimated that more than five hundred
species in about eighty genera are growing in the state. A beautiful and
popular species of epiphyte genera called khongunmellei (dendrobium
chrysotoxum) which is fragrant and golden yellow in colour flowers in
February-April. It is customary for the Manipuris to offer this flower with
prayer to the Sanamahi deity on the Manipuri New Year day called Sajibu
Cheiraoba in April. Another distinct species, Samjirei (rhynchostylis retusa)
is very much in demand for its cosmetic quality. A beautiful lady’s hair-style
is said to be incomplete without this flower. Available in July-August only, it
has pendulous cylindrical racemes and petals dotted with magenta.
Kwaklei (vanda coerulea), also known as
blue vanda, is another beautiful and exotic flower that blooms in autumn. Its
petals are pale blue with dark reticulating markings. Kwaklei Angangba (renanthera
imschootiana), also called red vanda, is scarlet red in colour and long
lasting. A rare species, its flowering time is May-July.
Khonguplei (paphiopedilum spicerianum),
also called lady’s slipper, is a terrestrial genera and found mainly in the Tipaimukh
area of Churachandpur district. Its petals are pale green stripped and spotted
with purple, lip with brownish purple. The flowering season of khonguplei is
during October-December. Cymbidium eburneum is another type of flower found in
the region and it is one of the finest of the genus. Ivory white in colour, the
species is found in Tamenglong area and the flowering time is February-March.
In the Siroi hills of Ukhrul, coelogyne
corymbosa is grown. It has creamy white lips with two bright yellow eyes
surrounded by brown margins. These exotic flowers have their season during
June-July. Dendrobium arachnites is cinna-bar red in colour and is a rare
species found in Chandel area and blooms in spring season.
The forests of Manipur are classified into
six categories namely wet temperate, pine, wet hill, semi-evergreen, teak
gurjan and bamboo brakes etc. Orchids which belong to monocotyledons group of
plants thrive in these forests. The areas of Jiri-Barak, Ukhrul and jungles
bordering Myanmar are specially known as being the home of these beautiful and
exotic orchids of both epiphyte and terrestrial genera.
Konjengbam Kameshore
(Courtesy: North East Sun, July 1-7, 1995)
