Physalis peruviana (Cape Gooseberry) - Sikkim Flora

The Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana), known as "Rasbari" in Sikkim, is a bushy plant growing 1 to 3 feet tall, with velvety leaves and yellowish flowers. The small, round fruit, encased in a papery husk, offers a sweet-tart flavour and is rich in vitamins A, C, and antioxidants. 

Native to South America, particularly Peru and Chile, Cape Gooseberry has now spread to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It thrives in well-drained soils and sunny climates and is often cultivated in home gardens or small farms for fresh consumption and commercial purposes.

Batocera rufomaculata (Fig borer) - Sikkim Beetle

Batocera rufomaculata, commonly known as Fig borer, tropical fig borer, mango stem borer, a long-horn beetle originating from Asia, was described by Charles De Geer in 1775. It infests various trees including Ficus carica, Carica papaya, Mangifera indica, and Shorea robusta, posing a threat to fruit tree cultivation, particularly mangoes, by causing yield loss and tree death.

Human activities have spread globally, affecting regions like Israel, Madagascar, and the Virgin Islands. Control efforts face challenges due to its broad host range and susceptibility to parasitic infection by Avetianella batocerae. Effective management strategies focus on monitoring, quarantine, and biological controls to mitigate its impact on agriculture and forestry.

Anthogonium gracile ( Slender Anthogonium) - Sikkim Flora

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Plantae

Order:             Asparagales

Family:           Orchidaceae

Genus:            Anthogonium

Species:           A. gracile

Binomial name: Anthogonium gracile Wall. ex Lindl. (1836).

Other Names:  Slender Anthogonium, Anthogonium griffithii, Anthogonium corydaloides

Special feature: Anthogonium is a genus of orchids. At the present time (May 2014), only one species is recognized, i.e., Anthogonium gracile found in India, Assam, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Guangxi, Guizhou, Tibet, and Yunnan.(Source: Wikipedia)

Slender Anthogonium is a deciduous, miniature to medium sized terrestrial orchid found in eastern Himalayas in semi-deciduous and deciduous dry lowland forests. The plants have ovoid pseudobulbs carrying 1-3, deciduous, stalked, narrowly lance-shaped leaves. The plant blooms in fall season on an erect, slender, very long (up to 45 cm), branched or simple, raceme with 10-12 flowers that do not open well. The flowers are pink-purple in color and a strongly remind of Corydalis.

Flower Identified by: Mita Aich

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