Dear Sir, Yes this is:
Nervilia plicata (Andrews) Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 45: 403 (1911). This is also an orchid which flowers during stress, but only when it knows that it is about to rain. The callus is formed on the top or side of the eye of the underground corm, which has two apex. Floral stalk emerges first. Foliar stalk is slow growing, full leaves are formed even after the fruit dehisces. The leaf, helps in storing food material in the corm and dies off by the beginning of winter. The floral stalk is said to bear only two flowers, there are other species like N. carinata, N. infundibulifolia, N. prainiana which bears single flower. N. aragoana, N. scottii and N. gammieana bears multiple flowers. This group Nervilia is also unique due to presence of solitary, plicate leaves that may or may not be tightly apressed on the ground. WHY WOULD A LEAF BE PLICATE AND INFUNDIBULIFORM AT THE SAME TIME? That is most probably to collect rain water on the leaves and divert it towards the main petiole and finally towards the underground corm which is facilitated with short length roots. Its a way of making maximum use of rain water available during initial phase. There is a channel on the petiole running longitudinally towards the base, which makes me assume this theory. And when the plant is satisfied then the leaves flatten or the margin bends so as to divert water away from the main axis. I have never seen this in wild. You are lucky sir!! Check this place again just during the pre monsoon showers. You will find them flowering in leafless condition. Interestingly this plant is distributed from India (South east Asia) to Australia!! Regards Pankaj --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
