This dionysia we found on the 2nd of April 2003
in the isolated mountain range of
the Kuh-e Jupar, south of the city of Kerman. It was the first dionysia we
found
after returning to Iran from the Emirates and Oman.
Plants were growing in vertical limestone cliffs, northwest facing at
altitudes
2300-2700m. Most of the plants found were in full flower.
In order to find the plants we drove as high as possible, we found a track
following a dry river bed. The last part only being negotiable with a 4WD
with
sufficient ground clearance. At 2350m we found a suitable place to stay
for the
night. In the late afternoon I climbed higher up the mountain, while José
and
Lex stayed with the car. At an altitude of approx. 2700m I found the most
beautiful plants of Dionysia rhaptodes in full flower!
Although there must be growing another dionysia species in these
mountains,
Dionysia oreodoxa, we only saw plants of Dionysia rhaptodes. According to
the
book The Genus Dionysia both species are very similar, and there is some
doubt about the differences between the 2 species.
On the 5th of April we visited these mountains
again, this time the eastern
parts. Also on this occasion we only found Dionysia rhaptodes.
