Dear friends,
I am extremely happy that efloraofindia is completing 15 years this June.I
am ecstatic and proud that I have been associated with this forum since
2014 when I was a rookie photo enthusiast interested in photographing
flowers that I came across during my field visits as a Forest Officer.I
used to pester the experts @ efloraofindia relentlessly seeking the
IDs.This forum, with a rich assortment of experts,satiated my
inquisitiveness.I know the names of those that enriched this forum
byheart.My pranams to each one of you that has made this forum what it is
today..a global authority on flora.......Kudos
This is my humble submission of a photo-story to commemorate the 15th
anniversary of efloraofindia.The situation further kindled my passion to
explore the floral wealth of Western Ghats.I love every moment of my field
trips wherein I encountered spectacular orchids,curious Ceropegia,and a
host of other breathtaking flora.
Subject:*Ceropegia elegans*
Location:Mullaianagiri,Chikmagalur,Karnataka
Thanks-n-regards
tspkumar
THE STORY
My tryst with the Queen……………Ceropegia elegans.
The genus Ceropegia has always been an enigma. The different floral shapes
and colours have fascinated me. I had read that about 43 of the 53 species
that are known to occur in India are threatened and have become rare and
genetically depleted. I always searched for them, when on field duty, with
no success whatsoever. They remained as elusive as quicksilver.
24-06-2014 was another day that I could not keep indoors. It was
mid-monsoon. The call of the Giris, my favorite “beckoning hills,” was
irresistible. The imposing cliffs, winding roads, mesmerizing mist,
blinding rains and its orchid perfume always beckoned me. Unmindful of my
nemesis, those cold, slithery, and bloodthirsty leeches, I set out with my
team hoping to find some orchids. The day was fruitful as we could find
quite a few orchids, terrestrial and epiphytic ones.
The climb was arduous and my nemesis,the leech, had its fair share
of my blood. The sun was already behind the western hills and the light was
falling rapidly. We hastened our descent hoping to get into the safety of
my Bolero before it got too dark. Before getting into the vehicle, I
stopped for a while to fill my lungs and to examine my shoes and socks,
Bent a little, kick-dropped a couple of leeches and looked over my
shoulders…! I thought that a pair of small, greenish, serpent-like eyes was
watching me from among the thickets a few feet away. I stared for a while,
eye-to-eye, and blinked first. Spellbound for a few seconds, I went closer.
My heart missed a few beats as I realized that it was not a serpent, but an
alien looking flower….! Yes. She was a Ceropegia….my Queen…! I had
inadvertently stumbled upon the ‘Queen of Ceropegias’ that was later
identified as Ceropegia elegans by that master explorer of Ceropegia,
Mr.Sushant More.
She has been a lucky mascot for me because later on I could meet
her mates as well during the year. Ceropegia juncea, Ceropegia biflora,
Ceropegia candelabrum,Ceropegia spiralis and the King himself, Ceropegia
gardneri…!
I have been recapitulating 24-06-2014 every now and then ever
since. The images I took that day, in the falling light, are my treasure
and occupy a prime place in my heart and archives as well.
-tspkumar
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