Meghalaya - Lady’s Slipper

Botanical Name: Orchidaceae

Local Name: Known as Tiew Knupmawiang in Khasi language

'Cypripedium reginae orchid', by Walter, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Reason for being the state flower

This ornamental species has horticultural values. The slipper-shaped lip of the flower serves as a trap for pollinating insects. It usually grows on hill slopes or along rock crevices, mostly in shady locations. Due to habitat destruction and exploitation these species are now endangered.

Symbolic Meaning

The Lady's Slipper orchids mean capricious beauty in the language of flowers.

Uses

The root is used for its sedative and antispasmodic properties and to counter insomnia and nervous tension.

Bibliography

http://bsienvis.nic.in/State_flower/Meghalaya%20State%20Flower_2_12.pdf

https://www.britannica.com/plant/ladys-slipper

Mizoram - Red Vanda

Botanical Name: Renanthera imschootiana

Local Name: Known as Senhri in Mizoram

'Renanthera imschootiana', by Michael Wolf, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Reason for being the state flower

An endangered species, Red Vanda or Senhri is restricted to the State of Manipur and the neighbouring areas in North-East India. Red Vanda has been designated as the state flower of Manipur due to its unique region-specific presence.

It grows on small shrubs and trees, flowering during spring. It is one of the loveliest species in India with limited distribution. Red Vanda is renowned for its bright crimson flowers with red spots on a pale orange background of its dorsal sepal and petals.

Uses

It has ornamental value.

Bibliography

http://bsienvis.nic.in/writereaddata/Mizoram%20State%20Flower_2_12.pdf

http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Red%20Vanda.html

Nagaland - Tree Rhododendron

Botanical Name: Rhododendron arboretum

Local Name: Known as Nithu in Angami, Lindai in Mao. Angami and Mao are languages spoken in Nagaland.

'Rhododendron arboreum', by Marcus334, licensed under CC BY 3.0

Reason for being the state flower

The main reason it was chosen as the state flower was the fact that they are abundantly cultivated here.

Symbolic Meaning

Worldwide it symbolizes beauty and energy. It can help tie a bouquet together with its symbolism of optimism and cheer.

Uses

The flowers are edible and hence are used by local population in many ways. Most common being to make a snack called 'kachru' or used to make chutney and a type of 'squash'. It is believed to have cooling properties hence the dried petal powder is inhaled to stop nose bleeding. The flowers are also used for treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, headache, nose bleeding, rheumatism, wound, fever and blood pressure.

Interesting Fact

Traditionally, Nagas would boil the flower and drink its water when a fish bone

would get stuck in the throat.

Bibliography

http://bsienvis.nic.in/writereaddata/Nagaland%20State%20Flower_4_12.pdf

https://florgeous.com/rhododendron-flower-meaning/

https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/nagaland/why-three-brothers-planted-500-rhododendron-saplings-in-nagaland-

5876792/

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/himachaltribune/rhododendron-on-the-verge-of-extinction-761171