On the 15th of March 2003 we found this
species at an altitude of approx.2000m
in the Jebal Akhdar mountains in the north of Oman. It was the first dionysia
we
found on this trip. During the days before we already had searched for it on
Jebal Shams, with just over 3000m, the highest summit in Oman. We knew it
has a very localised distribution and is only found above about 2000m.
Because the summit area is a restricted military zone we were not able to go to
the summit, and we already had given up hope to find it! But this day we were
lucky, just along side the spectacular graded road crossing the Jebal we found
this species. Many of the plants were already past flowering, because they were
growing on a very steep slope I had to climb my way up in order to make some
pictures. As most of the time: going up is much easier than coming down!
So, after taking the pictures, I was happy to be on firm ground again!
A bit further down this same road, we found some more plants growing on a
vertical wet rock face together with a fern (Adiantum sp.) and some orchids
which had partially died. We think it had been very dry that winter. Most
rainfall
is during winter, at higher altitudes even snowfall is possible, and there is
some
rainfall during localised summer storms.
Dionysia mira is the most primula like of any dionysia species, and is also
the
only species to be found so far to the south. Its therefore amazing to see
these
rather fragile plants growing in such barren mountains
In cultivation Dionysia mira is not very difficult, and can be easily
propagated by
cuttings and seed.
