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Arisaema utile
Earlier confused with A. costatum and A. graffithii. Compared to A. graffithii its smaller, obavate to obcordate spathe that's evenly bronze to reddish-brown without reticulations, and non-verrucose, but dark-coloured petiole and peduncle and the spadix. It's found on the outskirts of rhododendron forests amidst open moss covered boulders, often in sizeable colonies. Ref: Himalayan Cobra-Lilies (Arisaema) their Botany & Culture by Udai C Pradhan, 2nd Edition 1997; pp:57-58.
Pockets of loose soil among rocks, under rhododendron forests or under silver fir trees. This with many others spotted by the bank of Memen cho (lake). Altitude: 4,000m (12,000ft).
I was actually happy to see these healthy sprouts of Arisaema this year after a long time. Once upon a time - till about 8-10 years ago - they're seen at these meadows aplenty, but then hordes of wild boars year after year dug them up systematically and almost drove them to extinction. They relish them. They haven't been visiting for the last 4-5 years. In Sikkim hunting is strictly 'no, 'no', as a result wild animals have become unmanageable.
Spotted on May 24, 2015
Submitted on May 28, 2015
1 Comment
Thanks Jae and Machi for liking it.