Was so inspired by Shrikant ji's account, that I searched some more on this plant and found this link.
http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptocoryne/Gallery/spi/spi.html On Fri, Oct 12, 2012 at 8:09 AM, shrikant ingalhalikar <[email protected] > wrote: > I hope 2 images posted earlier aroused enough curiosity. > > The aquatic plant with most curious life cycle on the Kas Plateau- At the > begining of monsoon, as soon as water collects in the depression on the > plateau, a pink bud (Curious 1) rises above through the wet ground. The > stalk grows very rapidly to about 10 cm and the bud opens up to disguise > like a flower (Curious 2). This is actually the capsule of Cryptocoryne > spiralis, of Araceae. The seeds get dispersed in shallow flowing water and > germinate. The plant then grows a cluster of cauline leaves in wet season > (Curious 3), the corm lying well below the ground. At the end of rainy > season a spadix inflorescence grows from the base of the plant (Curious 4) > and sends out a spiral spathe above the ground. The insects enter through > the spiral entrance and pollinate the underground spadix. The capsule and > seeds remain underground (Crypt) and await the next rainy season to emerge > above ground. Many Araceae plants have elongating peduncle like this one, > some even bury themselves from above when the ground is still wet. All this > is to protect seeds below ground till the wet season. > > I conclude my contribution to Kas episode with this plant that fascinates > me the most. Regards, > > -- > > > > -- In Peace, Radha Eswar Founder, ArtyPlantz Mob: +91 9901511886 --
