The Plant
Terrestrial. Tuber oval to ovate, compressed with 2 to 4 cylindrical long roots arising from it. Stem 7 to 10 cm in height, fleshy, glabrous with 4 to 6 leaves at its base, the upper part with many oblong bracts. Leaves ovate, acute, three veined, margins undulate, narrowed to a broad sheath, clasping, 2 to 3 cm long and 1 to 1.5 cm in width. Bracts erect, 2 cm long. Peduncle longer than the stem, pubescent. Flower many. The whole plant pale green in colour with leaves having darker shade.
The Flower
Flowers 1 cm across. Sepals’ oblong, acute; apex of the lateral sepals diagonally spreading; dorsal diagonally erect, puberulous externally. Petals linear to oblong, as long as the dorsal sepal and diagonally erect and pressing close to it. Lip as long as the sepals, lanceolate, with its apex curved down. Floral bracts 3 to 4 times longer than the ovary, lanceolate, long, diminishing in length upwards, erect, puberulous, arising from the lower side of the ovary and arching over the flower, veined.
Sepals pale green internally with its apex turning greenish white, externally they are of a slightly darker shade. Petals pale green throughout. Lip pale green but darker than the sepals and petals. Floral bract shades of green.
The Pursuit
In the epic publication of Flora of British India by Sir. J D Hooker, the author mentioned this species to an altitude between 12,000 and 14,000 ft from the region of Sikkim-Himalayas. His records of the plants from the region are to be considered the most authentic, as he had visited the region in the year 1848 and 49 which culminated in the scientific documentation of most of the flora of the Himalayas.
Even though I found this species from an altitude of 11,300 ft and documented it, I had a desire to find this species around 14,000 ft. I got the opportunity to visit higher regions of the Himalayas on various occasions and to study various habitats. This made me concentrate on an area between 13, 500 ft and 14, 000 ft for this species. The above mentioned altitudes are believed to be the upper limit of all orchid population. As we climb higher the tree line becomes shorter, paving way to shrubs. Locating plants at those heights are very easy, even though walking around those heights is very difficult due to lack of oxygen. The region is very near to the International borders with many restrictions for civilian movements. I surveyed several square kilometres between 13,500 and 14,000 ft for several days. Although I had found many species which were unrecorded till date from those altitudes, this one remained elusive. After 4 days of flower hunt, I got a golden opportunity to survey much higher regions along with a border patrol party. However, en route I found out that they move only on a designated route. That would really help me in my survey. I wanted to crisscross the area so that I can locate many plants. The Commander was kind enough to let me take crisscross ways and directed me to join the party while they return. At those heights carrying more of load was very difficult and I left unwanted camera accessories there and started surveying the area. The area was above 14, 500 ft and the floral world there is something amazing. The next two hours turned out to be my greatest ever-floral survey, documenting 56 species in less than two hours. On the edge of the valley I found a small stream running down from a hill. As always stream banks are heaven for various species, I decided to climb that hill along the stream. As the climb with my camera and accessories was very difficult, I left the camera bag there and slowly continued the climb up the hill. Half way itself I was exhausted and had a slip and fallen flat. Luckily I got hold of a few rocky surfaces and escaped being rolled down the slope. With much difficulty I stood on my knees and made myself comfortably seated. Rested there for some time to get back to normal. As I turned around, I spotted three specimen of this species almost in bloom just few feet away from me. The sight of those three plants made my adrenaline rush and I just wanted to leap towards it. But, I was so tired and exhausted I was not able to move an inch from there. I recollect, my intense curiosity made me crawl to those plants. It was one of the most joyous moments of my entire survey in that high alpine region. The fact, that I was able to find a plant species described by the greatest botanical pioneer, possibly from the same location made me so thrilled. However, I was so tired I decided to make another visit in the next few days to document it. I waited for rest of the afternoon there for the patrol party to return. The Commander on seeing my exhausted condition, directed his personnel to collect all my camera and accessories from both locations and also to carry me on a Yak back to the camp. In between on my request he checked the altitude of the area with his GPS. It was 14, 875 ft – an all time record altitude for this species.
On the third day, I went again, this time with two personnel and documented the flower in all its glory.
Reference:
King, G. &Pantling, R. (1898). The Orchids of the Sikkim-Himalayas. Ann. Roy. Bot. Garden. (Calcutta). Goodyera fusca Lindl., Page no 280.