Purple hues on the mountain

For the people of Bay Nui, the rainy season is the time when trees sprout and flourish, the season of gardens and rice paddies that turn the land green. In addition, it is also a time when people enjoy admiring the scenery of their homeland with its blooming wildflowers, most notably the vibrant purple of the crape myrtle.

I'm not from the Seven Mountains region, but I've had the opportunity to connect with it. Having experienced countless dry and rainy seasons, I fully understand the hard work and diligence of the people here. And luckily, I've witnessed the blooming of the wild crape myrtle trees. Indeed, if you're a nature lover, you'll surely be amazed when you see the wild crape myrtle trees in bloom.

Unlike its relatives in the lowlands, the wild crape myrtle blooms about a month later. However, it excels in terms of flower abundance and color. Those familiar with this species can attest that wild crape myrtle comes in many different colors, from deep purple, light purple mixed with white, to pink, red… Some trees stand out, producing 2-3 different flower colors. The flowers have large petals and form abundant clusters. Every time one admires the wild crape myrtle flowers, they are easily reminded of orchid petals!

A picturesque, tranquil spot on the summit of Mount Ket.

To have a spectacular flowering season, the crape myrtle in the forest must endure scorching sun and extreme drought in the high mountains. When the rain comes, the crape myrtle awakens. Young shoots sprout from the bare branches, signaling the return of the dreamy flowering season. Local people told me that the more severe the drought, the more spectacular the crape myrtle blooms.

Having the opportunity to climb Mount Ket (Thoi Son Ward, Tinh Bien Town), I was delighted to see the wild crape myrtle trees in bloom again. This year, the rain came early, and the crape myrtle trees bloomed along with the rain. The clusters of vibrant flowers awakened the senses of the hiker. The path up the mountain was steep, with steps stacked one on top of another, stretching as far as the eye could see. As I walked, I wiped away the beads of sweat streaming down my face. When I finally stopped to rest and admire the crape myrtle blossoms, my fatigue lessened.

I was accompanied by a few tourists from afar. They were particularly impressed with the crape myrtle trees on the steep slopes, claiming they had never seen such beautiful crape myrtle before. Many even thought they were "fake flowers," added for tourist purposes. I chuckled at their story, but wasn't too surprised. After all, at the mountaintops, few trees bloom as brilliantly as the crape myrtle.

Reaching the summit of Mount Két, I still encountered a dense bloom of crape myrtle. The "overripe" petals, falling in the gentle mountain breeze, brought a strange sense of peace to the heart. Seeing this scene, anyone would feel immersed in the beauty of nature. If the feeling of conquering a mountain peak always brings exhilaration, then the crape myrtle blossoms are the "reward," a unique beauty that entices people to linger longer.

Besides its beautiful flowers, the crape myrtle also makes an appearance as a vegetable. The slightly bitter young shoots of the crape myrtle, when eaten with Cam Mountain rice pancakes, are incredibly delicious! Speaking of crape myrtle cuisine , the Khmer ethnic minority in the Bay Nui region are very knowledgeable. They use the young shoots to make soup with papaya flowers, which is quite tasty. Even today, this soup occasionally appears in their meals.

Having the opportunity to go into the forest with the forest rangers, I learned that crape myrtle, although not classified as a rare or precious wood, is still protected as part of their forest conservation efforts. Besides being a part of the forest's resources, this tree also produces beautiful flowers, making the forest rangers' work less arduous.

For photography enthusiasts, the season of crape myrtle blossoms in the forest is especially beloved. My friends try to equip themselves with drones to capture spectacular photos and videos of the crape myrtle season. Due to its distinctive beauty, the crape myrtle blossom season is also sought after by young people for "check-ins," capturing impressive moments with nature.

Following the cycle of nature, the season of crape myrtle blossoms returns, bringing with it a dreamy purple hue that blankets the mountain slopes. If you have the chance, visit the Bay Nui region at the beginning of the rainy season to experience and appreciate the vibrant crape myrtle blossoms, and to better understand this distinctive color in the diverse and majestic natural landscape of this land.

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/sac-tim-tren-non-a420290.html