Long, meandering, steep and punctuated with hair-pin bends, the highway connecting Mettupalayam and Kotagiri is a source of delight to tourists.

A fascinating variety of vegetation on either side and favourable weather enhance its beauty. Different wild flowers catch the eyes of the passersby. Among them are Lady’s slippers and even kurinji. However, the most striking are the orchids with the popular name, Spreading Flowered Habenaria (Habenaria rariflora).

Conservationist and nature photographer P.J. Vasanthan says the orchid is an endemic variety restricted to the Western Ghats. It belongs to a group popularly called ‘bog orchids.’ However, in contrast to the popular name of the group, this orchid is usually seen growing on damp and rocky terrain. With the petals of its white flowers spread out, it presents a ghostly appearance. The plant comes to notice only when it is in bloom, and the flowering season coincides with the monsoon.

Once found all over the moist parts of the outer slopes of the district, it is now restricted to a few areas owing to anthropogenic activities. It is quite common around Droog near Coonoor, considered a haven for ground orchids.

It is now seen along the roadside at Muloor near Kunjapanai on the Kotagiri-Mettupalayam Highway. Though unexpected, it indicates the health of the ecosystem as orchids are sensitive to changes in the environment.

The Nilgiris hills were once rich with orchids, with over a hundred varieties being listed in the district manual of 1880. Agriculture and plantation forestry have vastly reduced their numbers.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / by D. Radhakrishnan / Udhagamandalam – October 20th, 2014