Shiv Suman

Description

Boucerosia frerei (Synonym; Frerea indica) is a plant in the genus Boucerosia which contains several species many of which are native to the Indian sub-continent and one species Boucerosia crenulata, native to Myanmar. B. frerei (locally called shindel makudi and shiv suman), is a small succulent endemic to the forest area in the Western Ghats and Deccan plateau 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. Boucerosia frerei is a fleshy perennial succulent with 50 cm (20 in) long branches that have elliptic-oblong 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 (0.79 to 1.18 in) corolla, with patterns of markings that vary from one population to another. Flowers smell of rotten meat and are lined with fine cilia. The deciduous leaves of this plant use regular C3 photosynthesis, while the stem utilizes C4 like most succulents. During dry seasons or dry spells leaves will fall off and the plant will rely on its stem for photosynthesis. The stem may take on a sliver velamin like texture. It blooms from August to September.