Fascinated by the flora of the Blue Mountains, many among the thousands of tourists, who are now flocking to this holiday destination to enjoy the season, have started evincing interest in knowing more about the plants they are coming across.
Visual treat
Among them are not only the plants that are providing a visual treat in tourist spots such as the Government Botanical Garden and Sim’s Park but also those that are dotting the hills and places on the outskirts of the town.
High in the list is Cytisus or Scotch broom, a flowering shrub. Long taken for granted by the locals, the Cytisus has emerged as a great attraction for tourists.
Stating that it was not surprising, S. Rajan, member, Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Greening Project, told The Hindu here on Sunday that though it was an exotic (a native of Europe), it had over the years become inextricably intertwined with The Nilgiris.
Pointing out that its impact on native species was not as harmful as some other exotics, he said that it was adverted to by many conservationists as an ‘eco-friendly invader’.
The bright yellow flowers of the shrub, which are in bloom almost throughout the year, are in full bloom during Summer. The Badagas (the largest indigenous social group in The Nilgiris) use the flowers while performing funeral rituals.
The flowers are also used to manufacture natural dyes.
Herbivores including sambars feed on the brooms particularly during Winter.
Stating that they also had medicinal value, Mr. Rajan said that Citisus extracts were used, among other things, to make medicines which dealt with hypertension.
Due to the compulsions of development, the shrubs are becoming increasingly difficult to see within the towns. However, in places such as Upper Bhavani, Avalanche and Mullikorai, they can be seen in large numbers.
Long taken for granted by the locals, the Cytisus has emerged as a great attraction for tourists
