Common name: Nepal Satyrium
Botanical name: Satyrium nepalense Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Nepal Satyrium is a rare medicinal Orchid found in the hills of India, abounding in
the Himalayas from Simla eastward; also found in the Khasia Mountains, in
those of the Deccan Peninsula around Travancore, and in Ceylon. It is found
at varied elevations, 1300-400 m. Plant High 30-45 cm, with tubers; Tuber
oval and round long, 2-3 x 1-1.5
cm. Leaves oval, oval-lanceolate, 7-10 cm long and 3.5-5.5 cm wide,
gradually becoming smaller upwards. Small pinkish white flowers occur on an
upright spike. There are reddish lance-like bracts. The flowers have an
interesting shape. The lip is hood-like and has a terminal tip called
'flap'. It has two spurs, one on each side of the ovary. The indigenous
people of the upper Nilgiris — the Todas, call it Ezhtkwehhdr —
which literally means "bullock's horns". This name refers to the bullock
horn-like resemblance provided by the twin spurs of these flowers.
Flowering: July-December.
Medicinal uses: The Todas of Nilgiris, consume the dried and powdered tubers of the terrestrial orchid Satyrium nepalense as an energizing tonic.
| Photographed in Dhanaulti, Uttar Pradesh. |
Identification credit: Pankaj Sahni
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