O f the 17,000 species of orchids found in the world 250 known varieties are found in the forest of Meghalaya. The most known orchids is the Blue Wanda which was taken to the Kew Gardens in London by Sir Joseph Hooker. Apart from the orchids there is a unique carnivorous plant called Pitcher plant(napentheskasiana).
Since many medicinal plants grow in Meghalaya, the Garos and Khasis still practice the traditional methods of herbal healing.
Spices from Meghalaya are well known, specially the black pepper of Khasi Hills and Turmeric of jaintia Hills. Other known spices of this area are the Ginger, Bay leaf, Cinnamon and Chillies.
There are a large variety of bananas and citrus plants found, the most famous being the mother plant species of the orange tree. |
