| Saussurea obvallata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Saussurea |
| Species: | S. obvallata |
| Binomial name | |
| Saussurea obvallata | |
Saussurea obvallata also known asnight-blooming cereus,queen of night, orlady of night is a species offlowering plant in theAsteraceae.[2] It is native to the Alpine meadows of theHimalayas, inIndia,Bhutan,Nepal,Pakistan andsouthwest China at altitudes of 3,700 to 4,600 m.[3]
Saussurea obvallata is a perennial growing to 0.3 m (1 ft). The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects. Flowers bloom in mid-monsoon (July–August) amongst the rocks and grasses of the hillside at an altitudinal range of 3700–4600 m. Flower heads are purple, hidden from view in layers of yellowish-green paperybracts, which provide protection from the cold mountain environment. The flowers can be seen from July through September, after which the above-ground portions of the plant die back, becoming visible again in April.[4][5]
TheSaussurea genus are named for alpine scientistHorace Bénédict de Saussure, while the specific epithetobvallata is derived fromobvallatus, meaning "surrounded by wall;" in this case the flower'sinvolucriform bracts.[5]
A postal stamp featuring the image of the flower and labeledSassurea obvallata inbinomial nomenclature and Brahma Kamal in theDevanagari script was issued by the Indian government in 1982.[6] Sometime after the new state ofUttarakhand was created in 2007 (changing its name fromUttaranchal, created in 2000), the flower was declared thestate flower.[7] The flowers are used as offering in the hill temples, like the shrines ofBadrinath. In India, it is known as "Brahma Kamal". The thick curved root of the plant is applied to bruises and cuts, as part of local medicine.[8]
Brahma Kamal, the much reverred flower of the Himalayas, is an excellent example of plant life at the upper limit of high mountains (3,000-4,600 m).
State Flower : Brahm Kamal
Media related toSaussurea obvallata at Wikimedia Commons