The Tiger Orchids are in full bloom at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI). Tiger orchids (Grammatophyllum speciosum), so called for their large and resplendent flowers which resemble the tiger skin, flowers in alternate years.
Tiger Orchids
These epiphytic plants are not native to India. They, in fact, are endemic to southeast Asia. Specimens were introduced at the JNTBGRI in the 1990s. The orchids will remain in bloom for about a month. The plant produces more than 75 flowers in a single spike. Flowering usually begins at the end of June and continues till August.
It is usually seen in rain forests of South East Asia. The plant distributed to New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines. The tiger orchid has an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records due to its massive size. Mature plant in its natural habitat weighs up to 2 tonnes.
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
Prof. A. Abraham, a visionary and a great Botanist, conceived the idea of establishing a Jawaharlal Nehru Botanic Garden and Research Institute to study and conserve the rare and vanishing wild plant genetic resources of the country. Kindled by the spirit of his concept, the Government of Kerala took a far sighted decision resulting in the establishment of the Institute (JNTBGRI) as an autonomous organisation at Thiruvananthapuram, the capital.
It functions for inventory, conservation and sustainable utilization of plant wealth through appropriate research and development efforts for the welfare of the state and the country at large. Towards achieving this, the institute has framed time-bound programmes and projects with the financial support from various national and international funding agencies.
