Frerea
Encyclopedia
Frerea is a genus which contains only one species, Frerea indica (locally called Shindel Makudi), a small succulent
native to the Junnar hill forest in the Western Ghats
in Maharashtra
state in India. It is also grown as a greenhouse plant by succulent plant enthusiasts. At one time, it was on the IUCN list of twelve most endangered species on earth, but conservation efforts have brought it back from the brink of extinction.
leaves that are 7 cm (2.8 in) long. The leaves grow during the monsoon
season—in a habit that is unusual compared to its close relatives, it drops the leaves during dry seasons to conserve moisture. The crimson to cherry-red flowers are star shaped with yellow markings and have a 2 to 3 cm (0.78740157480315 to 1.2 in) corolla, with patterns of markings that vary from one population to another. It blooms from August to September.
, Governor of Bombay at that time.
state in west India, growing at elevations between 750 to 1347 m (2,460.6 to 4,419.3 ft), preferring crevices on cliffs. There are only a few plants in each of the six populations.
in 2010 concluded that the plant is no longer endangered—they stated in June, 2010, that they will propose to the IUCN that the plant be removed from the IUCN list of endangered species. Groups that have propagated the plant in larger numbers include: the Botanical Survey of India (BSI, Pune); the Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research (NGCPR, Shindewadi), Satara district, Maharashtra; the Botanic Garden of the National Botanical Research Institute
(NBRI, Lucknow).
The plant's natural pollinators are believed to have all gone extinct, leaving it unable to set fruit in its native habitat. The wild population is further threatened by overgrazing, landslides, fire, and insects. There are also reports that locals eat the succulent stems. Greenhouse plants are pollinated using ants and flies, which are attracted to a foul-smelling secretion from the flower. Fruit setting and germination of seeds are now common in greenhouse conditions. The plant is also easily propagated from cuttings. F. indica is still classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List
.
species.
Succulent plant
Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are water-retaining plants adapted to arid climates or soil conditions. Succulent plants store water in their leaves, stems, and also in roots...
native to the Junnar hill forest in the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
in Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
state in India. It is also grown as a greenhouse plant by succulent plant enthusiasts. At one time, it was on the IUCN list of twelve most endangered species on earth, but conservation efforts have brought it back from the brink of extinction.
Description
Frerea indica is a fleshy perennial succulent with 50 cm (19.7 in) long branches that have elliptic-oblongLeaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
leaves that are 7 cm (2.8 in) long. The leaves grow during the monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
season—in a habit that is unusual compared to its close relatives, it drops the leaves during dry seasons to conserve moisture. The crimson to cherry-red flowers are star shaped with yellow markings and have a 2 to 3 cm (0.78740157480315 to 1.2 in) corolla, with patterns of markings that vary from one population to another. It blooms from August to September.
Taxonomy
The plant was described in 1865 by Nicol A. Dalzell, who dedicated the new genus to Henry Bartle FrereHenry Bartle Frere
Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, 1st Baronet, GCB, GCSI, was a British colonial administrator.-Early life:Frere was born at Clydach House, Clydach, Monmouthshire, the son of Edward Frere, manager of Clydach Ironworks...
, Governor of Bombay at that time.
Distribution and habitat
F. indica is known only in six areas in MaharashtraMaharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
state in west India, growing at elevations between 750 to 1347 m (2,460.6 to 4,419.3 ft), preferring crevices on cliffs. There are only a few plants in each of the six populations.
Conservation
At one time Frerea indica was on the IUCN list of the twelve most endangered species in the world. Propagation by government and private agencies in India have created a larger and more stable greenhouse population. A study by the Botanical Survey of IndiaBotanical Survey of India
The Botanical Survey of India is an institution set up by the Government of India in 1887 to survey the plant resources of the Indian empire.-History:...
in 2010 concluded that the plant is no longer endangered—they stated in June, 2010, that they will propose to the IUCN that the plant be removed from the IUCN list of endangered species. Groups that have propagated the plant in larger numbers include: the Botanical Survey of India (BSI, Pune); the Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research (NGCPR, Shindewadi), Satara district, Maharashtra; the Botanic Garden of the National Botanical Research Institute
National Botanical Research Institute
National Botanical Research Institute is a research institute of CSIR in Lucknow. It is engaged in the field of taxonomy and modern biology.-History:...
(NBRI, Lucknow).
The plant's natural pollinators are believed to have all gone extinct, leaving it unable to set fruit in its native habitat. The wild population is further threatened by overgrazing, landslides, fire, and insects. There are also reports that locals eat the succulent stems. Greenhouse plants are pollinated using ants and flies, which are attracted to a foul-smelling secretion from the flower. Fruit setting and germination of seeds are now common in greenhouse conditions. The plant is also easily propagated from cuttings. F. indica is still classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
.
Uses
F. indica is a distinctive greenhouse plant in temperate climates, and is grown by succulent plant collectors. There are several hybrids between F. indica and CarallumaCaralluma
Caralluma is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, consisting of about 120 species.Once classified in the family Asclepiadaceae, it is now in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae. The generic name is derived from the Arabic word qahr al-luhum, meaning "wound in the flesh" or...
species.