Exotic winter beauties bloom in Nilgiris
Black Elder, which is named after its fruit colour, is another exotic flower of European origin that blooms robustly during winter.
Ooty: While unfavorable weather and frost suppress the blooming of flowering plants in winter in the hills, the bloom of three species, including the one of Chinese origin, signify their ecological importance.
Stating that there are flowers which resist the pressures of winter and bloom to become winter attractions, Dr S.Rajan, field botanist at the Central Ayush wing here, and a well-known name in plant taxonomy, said that 'Paulownia fortunei' at the Government Botanical Garden in Ooty is the lone tree of its kind in the south of India and is of Chinese origin.
“The Paulownia bloom with its slightly big bell-shaped flowers is coloured creamy white to pale lavender. During the winter months of December and January, the flowers bloom; when this happens, the leaves are shed. Once the blooming season is over, leaves begin to re-appear, and this makes its biology very interesting,” he added.
Black Elder, which is named after its fruit colour, is another exotic flower of European origin that blooms robustly during winter. This winter wonder is seen across the hills. White to cream coloured flowers of Black elder bloom in clusters, he said. This plant with thick bushes serves as a good nesting place for birds in the winter. In the West, its flower heads are used in infusions and in making wine, he noted.
'Garden Heliotrope' is a purplish-blue flower of Peruvian origin that blooms across the hills in winter. It is the most fragrant amongst the winter blooms, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, V.Sivadass, managing trustee of the Nilgiris Environment and Socio-cultural Trust, said that the bloom of these flowers not only provides a feast to the eyes, but also serve as food for honeybees, other insects and birds as they visit these flowers to feed on their nectar.