More Khamasom Van flowers in Ukhrul town
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, May 06 2022:
Khamasom Van, a snakelike purple flower which once bloomed in the deep forest of Mathasama in Khamasom village of Ukhrul district has adapted to the conditions of Ukhrul town and this year 10 more plants have started to bloom at Tangrei a locality in Ukhrul.
Khamasom Van started blooming at Ukhrul district headquarters in 2018 and today 10 more such plants have started blooming at Ukhrul town, delighting the people.
The flower was first sighted in Ukhrul district in 2017 when a group of "Khamatek trekkers" trudged the rugged terrain to explore the high altitude region.
The team collected some plants for transplantation at Ukhrul town and the flower gradually adapted to the new climatic conditions and after years of persistent and patient nursing and caring, the plant began to flourish in the town environment.
|
Khamasom Van plants are 1 to 3 feet tall bearing dark purple flowers, and grow from a tuber.
Most of the plants start to sprout/grow shoot from March, and the flowers begin to bloom from the second week of April.
Most of the plants now have fully bloomed in all their beauty at Tangrei, Ukhrul town.
It blooms for at least two weeks in case of no disturbances.
Composed humus help the plants to grow healthy and regular watering of the plant is needed to keep the soil damp and moist.
Khamasom Van has a slender stem, bears three broad leaves which give shades to the flower.
The petals of the flowers are shaped like a snake-head, and the long stigma looks like a snake-tongue coming out of its mouth.
The flower is medium sized, about 40-45 cm in diameter.
Seeing the peculiar physical features of the plant, florists of Ukhrul have different opinion, with some maintaining that it may have medicinal values.
Many have called for the need to conduct a scientific research of the flower and the plant to see if it can have any economic benefits.