WHAT A COINCIDENCE
LT COL NOEL ELLIS
14/VII/2023
Aparajita and Harsingaar became my favourite flowers. There was a blue Aparajita vine growing wild in our neighbourhood in Alibaug. It would cling to hedges in summers and flower through the rainy season. As winters would set in, the vine would dry up, leaving pods like that of ‘sweet peas’. In the following season, seeds which got scattered would sprout on their own.
Those days we were trying to establish our garden. If these could grow in the wild, there were chances, we could tame and train this vine. The hunt for seeds began. An online site showed that they come in single & double petals in white, blue, pink, red and purple colours. Order was placed in good faith.
Just a word of caution, many online nurseries make a ‘Charlie’ of everyone. It is better to pick up plants yourself, unless it is an experiment like us. We planted those seeds in pots. The disappointment was the ‘promised’ colours never bloomed. Only white and blue in single petals flowered.
The vines somehow liked the coastal climate and spread like wildfire. The pots could not hold them, so they were transplanted under trees and bushes in the backyard. They got enough support to climb.
Two vines were inserted under the Harsingaar bush. Aparajita loved the spread of its branches and the scaly grip of its trunk. That bush was now blooming with two types of flowers. Harsingaar flowers spread fragrance and Aparajita their beauty.
As one got to study this flower, it is known by many names. The Botanical name is difficult to pronounce, Clitoria Ternatea. Butterfly pea was easier to say. However, there were many local names like Girikarni, Mahashweta, Kalijar, Shankpushpa and many others.
Someone told me that it has medicinal properties too. The flowers & seeds when dried and powdered could be used as a pain reliever, diuretic, purgative and improved cognitive power. Wow! However, I only tried using its fresh Aparajita flowers dipped in warm water. It would percolate its blue colour to the water. They told me, it works wonders to cleanse the system. I cannot vouch for it, but one would sip that tasteless liquid once in a while, just for the heck of it.
When we moved to the Sun City, we carried those seed pods and planted them. The torrid summers consumed them. To give the wilted vines a new lease of life, we shifted them from our pots to our neighbours garden, which we manage. They stay abroad.
Vines were doing well; till the time the caretakers uprooted them while cleaning the area. Luckily, the roots of the plant had settled. With the onset of rains, the vine has sprouted again. This time when the caretakers come, I shall apprise them.
Down the lane we have another plant enthusiast family staying. Their Harsingaar bush is a favourite for many ‘aunties’ who collect flowers for pooja every morning. However, they pluck them instead of collecting them from the ground. One found an opportunity to write my name with fallen flowers.
While sitting on my haunches and arranging those flowers I noticed an Aparajita vine growing next to it. This was a new colour, a spotted mix of blue and white. We shall wait for the pods dry to add to our collection for next season.
It reminded me of Alibaug, where both Aparajita and Harsingaar plants grew side by side. Here, it must be a coincidence. Have you guys ever seen a spotted Aparajita flower? I wonder!!!!!!!!
JAI HIND
© ® NOEL ELLIS
Comments
Post a Comment