Wild plants and flowers have become the most sought after decorative pieces adoring many a house during Christmas in Shillong.
The wild plants and flowers, mainly available in Khasi Hills, have become handy for the Shillongites to decorate their homes. The plants and flowers, which have become favourites for Christmas include the ‘Christmas flowers’ (Soh Christmas or Tiew Christmas in Khasi), (Scientific name Sarcandra glabra), and plant of purple beads. The natural pine trees (Pinus khasiana) are also used to make Christmas trees.
In the market areas of Motphran and Laitumkhrah the sale of these flowers and plants in bunches were on the rise.
“We got Tiew Christmas plant having red flowers and the plants having purple beads from the villagers of Jowai and Mairang,” said a vendor at Motphran.
“These are from the remote jungles and we also have to pay the villagers from the outskirts to bring them to the markets in Shillong,” she said.
According to the vendor, while the price of Tiew Christmas ranges from Rs 50 to Rs 65, the price of plant with purple beads is Rs 40.
The branches of pine trees to make Christmas trees are being sold up to Rs 100 this season.
“We arrange the bunch of Soh Christmas (Tiew Christmas) of red flowers in flower vases in our homes during Christmas,” said a home maker.
Scientifically, these are seasonal plants and flowers which grow in high altitudes and commonly used for Christmas decoration in several foreign countries.
Adding to the beauty of the Christmas is the natural Christmas trees available in most of the households, which are mostly branches of pine trees.