Sahyadri’s Red Star: Frerea indica

Own a piece of botanical history with this critically endangered, crimson-flowered succulent native only to the cliffs of Maharashtra.

1. Origin & History of Name: The genus name Frerea honors Sir Henry Bartle Frere, who served as the Governor of Bombay in the 1860s. The species name indica denotes its origin in India. It was scientifically described in 1865 by botanist Nicholas Alexander Dalzell, who recognized its unique position as the only member of its genus.
2. Morphology: Frerea indica is a trailing, fleshy succulent with four-angled stems. Unlike many other succulents in its family, it produces true, deciduous leaves during the monsoon. Its most striking feature is the star-shaped, five-lobed flower; the corolla is deep crimson-red with intricate patterns and fine hairs (cilia) along the edges, designed to attract specific insect pollinators.
3. Habitat & Origin: This is a wild species endemic to a very narrow range in the Western Ghats of India, specifically found on vertical rock cliffs at high elevations (e.g., Junnar and Shivneri). Once on the brink of extinction, it is now more common in cultivation. Our plants are nursery-propagated to support the conservation of this "living fossil."
4. Cultivation Profile:
   • Substrate: Use a highly porous, mineral-based mix (volcanic rock, fine gravel, and a small amount of coco-peat). Excellent drainage is vital to mimic its cliffside habitat.
   • Light: Prefers bright, filtered sunlight. In the Indian summer, provide afternoon shade to prevent leaf drop, though it can handle full sun during the monsoon.
   • Water/Dormancy: Water regularly during the growing season (June–October). As a native to the Ghats, it appreciates higher humidity. During the winter dormancy, reduce watering significantly as the plant may shed its leaves.
5. Scientific/Historical Anecdote: Frerea indica is often cited as a "top-ten" endangered plant by the IUCN. It is a biological anomaly because it belongs to the milkweed family (Apocynaceae) but developed succulent stems to survive the dry periods between monsoons. For decades, it was thought to be nearly extinct in the wild until it was "rediscovered" in various pockets of the Sahyadri mountains.