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Major Crops
Sikkim's local name "Denzong" translates as the valley of rice,
which is the chief crop of the state. Basically, Sikkim can be divided
into three zones-the tropical, temperate and the alpine.
The terraced farmlands have Rice, Maize and Barley as the main crops.
Other crops like Ginger, Potatoes and Oranges are also grown. One of the
chief cash crops of the state is large Cardamom. The jungles in the south
district teem with plantains, Bamboo tree Ferns, Walnut, Sal and Oak while
the north abounds in Pine and Silver Fir.
Orchids
Sikkim's orchids are world famous as the state has more than
450 species of them. The colours range from the richest to the palest in
species as varied as Cymbidiums, Vandas, Cattlelyas, Dendrobiums,
Hooheriana, Farmeri and Amoneum. The state flower is the Nobile orchid of
the Dendrobium family.
Rhododendrons
There are about 36 species of rhododendrons in Sikkim found
at heights of 10,000 ft. their variety is as diverse as the sizes and
colours range from the giant Rhododendron Crande (over 40 ft) to the
Rhododendron Nivale (a few inches off the ground), and from the blood red
to pale white. The delicate but hardy Primulae are found at heights of
12,000 ft and above. The Himalayan Rhubarb is a unique feature of this
area, standing upright like candles in the arid vasts