Balsams in full bloom add to visual treat in Munnar

Subject :Geography

Section: Places in news

Context:

Balsams (genus Impatiens) are in full bloom in Munnar. Called Kasithumba and Onappovu locally, its small, pink flowers are a major attraction along the Devikulam stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway.

Balsams:

Balsams are also known as ‘touch-me-not’ because of the bursting of mature seeds and seed distribution.
Of the 220 balsam species in India, 135 are found in the southern Western Ghats.
More than 30 species of balsams in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
46 balsam species spread from Munnar, Chinnar, Bison Valley and Eravikulam National Park.
Anamudi, the highest mountain in the Western Ghats, and the surrounding high ranges are known for the diversity of wild balsams.

Humid habitats:

The normal life cycle of balsams is from June to December.
The plant mainly grows inside pockets of forest areas.
With the loss of specific habitats, many species have become rare, threatened, or even extinct.
This fleshy orophytic herb usually prefers humid habitats and completes the life cycle in the rainy season.
Balsams are a major indicator species of climate change.
- The large-scale flowering of balsams indicates that microclimate is still active in the Munnar hill station.

Source: TH