The Indian natural landscape recently received a dash of color as two rare orchid species, Tiger Orchids (Grammatophyllum speciosum) and Ground Orchids (Eulophia obtusa), unexpectedly started to bloom in various regions around the country. Experts are excited about this development as it’s been several years since these botanical wonders have graced the nation with their presence.
The Resurgence of Tiger Orchids
Tiger Orchids have the scientific name of “Grammatophyllum speciosum”. These orchids stand out due to their intriguing characteristics. They possess massive, magnificent flowers that can easily be mistaken for tiger skin because of their markings. They only bloom every other year, but when they do, they remain in full bloom for about a month, making them a sight to behold.
Unfortunately, Tiger Orchids aren’t native to India. Instead, they hail from southeast Asia, particularly from Indonesia and the Philippines. These plants are epiphytic, which means they grow on the surface of other plants and get their nutrition from either the air, rain, or debris accumulation.
A flourishing Tiger Orchid was recently spotted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) in Kerala, where it was introduced in the 1990s, indicating an encouraging trend for its proliferation in the country.
The Return of Ground Orchids
Another species of orchid that has been missing in action for quite some time is the Ground Orchid, scientifically known as “Eulophia obtusa”. This rare plant has been rediscovered in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, located in Uttar Pradesh, after a notable absence of 118 years. The last recorded sighting of the Ground Orchid in this area was back in 1902 in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
Similar to the Tiger Orchid, the Ground Orchid also isn’t native to the area where it was recently spotted. Instead, this species originates from Uttarakhand. Botanists initially collected it from the Gangetic plains, but no sightings have been reported there in the past century.
Interestingly enough, the Ground Orchid made its first appearance in Bangladesh in 2008, signaling a potential expansion of its geographical distribution.
The Ground Orchid boasts white flowers with bright pink hues, making them visually appealing. Their beauty, however, has been overshadowed by their threatened status, as they are listed as “critically endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of endangered species.
This recent resurgence of both the Tiger and Ground Orchids is certainly a positive sign for conservationists, botanists, and nature enthusiasts alike. It serves as a gentle reminder that nature has a way of persisting even through challenging times, offering hope for the preservation and recovery of these enchanting plants.