Viburnum grandiflorum flowers in bloom in Kashmir.
| Photo Credit: Anzar Khuroo
Kashmir’s agroclimatic conditions are distinct from the rest of the country. The valley’s long, harsh winters leave the vegetation in dormancy. When spring arrives, it breathes new life into the landscape.
The mountainous region is a home to a variety of endemic plants, including indigenous bulbs, herbs, shrubs, and trees. These floral species play a crucial role in maintaining the valley’s biodiversity.
Some of the most prominent spring flowers are: Colchicum luteum (veer kaum): A delicate yet vibrant bloom, often seen carpeting hillocks and grooves; Sternbergia vernalis (goul tour), A golden-yellow flower that marks the arrival of spring; Salix (braed mushuk), a plant with significant cultural and ecological value; Viburnum grandiflorum (kulmansh), a shrub with large pink flowers; and daffodils, whose bright yellow and white hues symbolise renewal and have deep roots in Kashmiri folklore.
Culture and ecology
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these plants also provide essential ecosystem services. They serve as vital food sources for pollinators, ensuring the pollination of horticultural fruit trees that also bloom during spring.
“The Valley’s vast altitudinal variations — from 1,600 metres in the basin to over 4,500 metres at mountain peaks — create diverse habitats suitable for these plants,” Anzar Khuroo, professor at Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, said. “The gradual blooming from the valley plains in early spring to the alpine meadows in late summer showcases their remarkable diversity and adaptability.”
For centuries, ethnic communities have used these endemic blooms for medicinal and cultural purposes. Many traditional uses have been preserved through oral traditions, passed down from generation to generation. These flowers don’t symbolise Kashmiri heritage: they also hold potential therapeutic benefits.
Threats and conservation
But for their significance, these species face numerous threats. Unsustainable development activities, deforestation, and increasing human encroachment pose significant risks. Climate change has also started to alter their blooming patterns. Research has found that relatively milder winters and early warming in February have led to premature flowering in the Valley, disrupting the natural seasonal cycle.
For example, a recent study conducted by the Khuroo’s group at University of Kashmir reported a shift in the spring flowering phenology (the study of flowering patterns and cycles influenced by seasonal changes) of the model plant species Sternbergia vernalis, in response to the changing climate in Kashmir region of the Himalaya.
At present, there are no dedicated conservation programmes targeting the plants that bloom in spring. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries currently serve as safe havens, preserving their populations. On the flip side, unregulated tourism and a growing trend of trekking without environmental consideration pose new challenges.
“As Kashmir’s ecology and environment faces increasing pressures, it is imperative to strike a balance between development and conservation,” Khuroo said. “Protecting these endemic blooms is not just about preserving biodiversity: it is about safeguarding the cultural and ecological essence of the Valley for generations to come.”
Hirra Azmat is a Kashmir-based journalist who writes extensively on science, health, and environment.
Published – April 08, 2025 05:30 am IST