Carpet of Efflorescence
Kaas Plateau in the Sahayadri sub-cluster of Western Ghats lives up to its name. It is khaas (unique), occupying about 10 square kilometres at an altitude 1200 metres. With more than 800 species of blossoms, 40 exclusive to the valley — the plateau is considered one of the biodiversity hotspots by UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites.
The name Kaas is probably derived from the tree species that grow in the surrounding forest. It could also refer to the lake in the local community.
The blooms here are ephemeral on a thin basalt surface exposed to the atmosphere. Below this are the laterite rocks of volcanic origin. In geological terms, it’s called a Rock Outcrop that supports herbs and grasses.
Unfortunately, nature’s bounty is restricted to only eight to ten weeks of glory. When you begin your quest at the plateau, look up intermittently to check if dark clouds are gathering. Make repeated jaunts every fortnight till the skies clear for good. While looking up, you will find a plethora of colours and wealth on the floor that is unmatched.
William Wordsworth was fascinated by the color yellow, and the poem ‘Daffodils’, was born. Imagine him looking at a meadow that keeps donning a new outfit of a different hue every fifteen days! There’s a golden shower, pristine white, peacock blue, and a royal pink to choose from.
Let me offer you a few glimpses.
This one has a large head petal, two big ear flap petals, and a central petal for the insect to perch. The weight of the insect on its landing site creates magic. The stamens open out like the trunk of an elephant, and the anther sprays the insect with a heavy dose of pollen. Rightfully, named after the beloved deity of Maharashtra, the flower is called Vigna, from Vignaharta.
You can now witness the Hollywood/Bollywood hostage saga enacted by Nature to perfection. The species is Ceropagia, commonly known as kandil pushpa (lamp-stand or lantern flower). The flower attracts insects by mimicking pheromones. Once inside, a unidirectional tube lined with hairs forces the victim to an expanded bulb to complete the action of pollination/fertilisation. By this time, the hairs wither. Once pollination is achieved, the flower bends over as if prostrating before the Almighty with gratitude, and the insect is set free. Ransom paid. Freedom offered. Note that this plant is not an insectivore.
Next, there’s this purple blossom of bladderwort called Utricularia. The folklore is incredibly interesting. Sita is born to Bhoomadevi, Mother Earth and She also achieves Her salvation there. This insectivorous plant has small bladders on its roots to digest the soil insects.
The SriLanka shaped white spot on the petal is believed to be Sita’s tears as she was abducted. The plant is called seetechi aasawe locally.
Many more stories and dramas unfold as one interacts with the natives. For instance, the Arisaema species undergoes sex change of its own free will several times during its life cycle. The gender bias depends on environment, nutrients, and age, a brilliant example of reproductive plasticity.
Disney would be proud of his creation, commonly known asthe Mickey Mouse plant-Smilax.
There exists a literal honey trap in the form of Drosera. The plant is a voracious insectivore with fascinating beauty.
To end with a dessert is the dahi bathache phool, Thunbergia.
A short distance away from the plateau is Kumudini Lake, named after a species that belongs neither to the lotus nor lily families. The aquatic plant has a wide expanse, and the freshwater body also supports a variety of algae, ferns, and mosses. The plant is named Nymphoides.
Lydia Child calls the floral wonders hieroglyphics of angels. What an appropriate description!
There are a few eye sores like plastic bottles and wrappers strewn carelessly by visitors. In some places, there were broken shards of glass. I sincerely hope the area doesn’t turn into the kaanch (glass) plateau. ~ Pause ~
Kaas Plateau is a Gene Bank for scientific research. The site is ecologically sensitive, and the endemic species are vulnerable. ~ Ponder ~
Terri Guillemot’s quote aptly summarizes my thoughts, “A flower’s appeal is in its contradictions-so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long in effect”.
