Abolim or ‘firecracker flowers’ are traditionally planted at the fag end of the monsoons, during September-October to get flowers in spring and summer when they are in peak demand for Zagor , Haldi-kumkum , nataks , Lent and the wedding season. There is Justicia infundibuliformis which is abolim , the symbol of sacrifice. The common name ‘firecracker flower’ refers to the seed pods which tend to ‘explode’ when the dried flower spikes are exposed to high humidity or rainfall.
The fallen seeds then germinate on the ground. Traditional fulkars, or families who grow flowers collect the mature pods, dry them and extract the seeds for sowing on raised beds or on ridges made in the porsum or kitchen garden. As the monsoon rains taper off during September in Goa, the seedlings are transplanted, either directly in the nearby fields or in polybags for transporting over long distances.
In 1993, it was the first flower crop promoted under the central government’s floriculture scheme that I could resurrect from the red-tape folder in the Directorate of Agriculture. The scheme had been approved, but the file was gathering dust in the cupboard when I returned from a deputation to Goa University. It was there that I learnt about its new name, Crossandra infundibuliformis.
It is an erect and evergreen plant, growing about one metre (3 ft) tall. It has glossy, dark green leaves with wavy margins. It can tolerate shade.
The plant is susceptible to nematodes, and so it is advisable.