Dicliptera Polymorpha

About Dicliptera Polymorpha:

• It is a distinctive species, notable for its fire-resilient, pyrophytic habit and its unusual dual-blooming pattern.
• In addition to its typical post-monsoon flowering, the species exhibits a second, vigorous burst of flowering triggered by the grassland fires commonly set by locals in the region.
• This species is taxonomically unique, with inflorescence units (cymules) that develop into spicate inflorescences.
• It is the only known Indian species with this spicate inflorescence structure, with its closest allied being found in Africa.
• The species was named Dicliptera polymorpha to reflect its diverse morphological traits.
• It thrives on slopes in open grasslands of the northern Western Ghats, an area exposed to extreme climatic conditions such as summer droughts and frequent human-induced fires. Despite these harsh conditions, the species has adapted to survive and bloom twice a year.
• The first flowering phase occurs from post-monsoon (early November) to March or April, while the second flowering phase in May and June is triggered by fires.
• During this second phase, the woody rootstocks produce dwarf flowering shoots, leading to a more abundant but shorter flowering period.
• The species' unique adaptation to fire and its limited habitat range in the Western Ghats highlight the need for careful management of grassland ecosystems.