Hydrangea is a popular ornamental plant native to southeast Asia. These large flowers are common in and around Kerala especially in the high ranges. The color of Hydrangea flowers vary from white, blue, red, pink and light purple. Continue reading
Author: Salim.E.I
Indian Shot (Canna indica)
Canna indica are popular ornamental flowers found in the high ranges of Kerala. The flowers bloom through out the year and in a range of different colors such as red, yellow and orange. Continue reading
Sour Cherry
The Sour Cherry is a tree in the Rosacease family found in the high ranges of Kerala, a state famous for its fruits. The fruit is small and fleshy, ranging from rose to a deeper red colour. They are popular for making jams, desserts and other culinary purposes. The fruits are also used for medicinal purposes as they are low in cholesterol and rich in fiber and vitamin C. Continue reading
Malabar Nut (Adhatoda Vasica)
Malabar Nut is a large smooth-barked shrub endemic to the Western Ghats that grows up to 4-6 meters in height. The plant has been part of the the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia for 2000 years. The leaves are especially effective in treating irritating cough and other respiratory disorders. Midwives have also used the plant as a natural stimulant to labor. Continue reading
Wax Begonia
Begonia flowers are particularly popular for planting in flowerbeds and window-boxes. These bushy plants produce single or double blooms in wonderful strong colors like white, yellow, orange and pink. In high-ranges these flowers are popular in all gardens.
Indian Gooseberry (Embeklic myrobalan)
Indian Gooseberry, also known as Amla, grows throughout the country in deciduous forest and hill slopes up to an altitude of 900 meters and is also cultivated in plains for commercial purpose. This medium sized tree can grow up to 10- 15 meters in height and produces round and juice fruits. The leaves are used to treat conjunctivitis, inflammation and diarrhoea. The fruits are used in wide range of disorders including colic, ulcers, diarrhoea, and cardiac disorders.
Thommankuthu Waterfalls
Thommankuthu is a popular water fall situated about 20km from Idukki dam.It is made up of a series of 12 falls in the Kannadiyar River spread over a distance of 5 km at an altitude of 800m above sea level. The scenic water falls and pristine surroundings attract tourist from around the world.
Thorn Apple (Devil’s Apple)
Thorn Apple is an erect succulent annual shrub which grows throughout India especially in the Western Ghats and is untended land, roadsides and farms. The plant is useful in treating asthma , cough ,fever ,ulcer and skin diseases Traditionally the roots are used to treat rabid dog bites and even insanity and the leaves are useful to treat epilepsy. Continue reading
Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
Taro is a gregarious herb growing from tubers on the banks of streams, ponds and marshes and in moist patches of the forest at altitudes up to 1400m. Taro is widely cultivated throughout Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka primarily for its tubers, but the eaves and stems are also cooked and eaten. Continue reading
Bird of the Day: Brahminy Kite (Periyar Tiger Reserve,Thekkady)
Banyan (Ficus benghalensis)
Banyans are large evergreen trees with aerial roots descending from branches that enter the ground and thicken and become strong enough to support the crown. The Banyan is sacred to the Hindus; they frequently stand guardian near temples and shrines. The figs provide food for variety of animal life and the leaves are fodder for elephants and camels. Banyan is the national tree of India.
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Blue Mormon Butterfly
Blue Mormon Butterflies are commonly found in and around forest paths, streams, lake sides and forest patches of the Western Ghats. Female butterflies are usually larger. These butterflies are endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. They can be found flocking around nectar rich blossoms such as Ixora and pagoda flowers.
Spotted Deer (Axis axis)
Spotted Deer are commonly found in the dense deciduous semi-evergreen forest and open grass lands of India, mostly seen in large herds. Their life span is about 20-30years. They are the most common deer family in India with a habit across the entire country except in the northern region. As they are the favorite prey of leopards and tigers spotted deers are very nervous animals and are always on the look out for any approaching danger. Continue reading
Sensitive Smithia (Smithia Sensitiva)
Sensitive Smithia is a low growing shrub found in and around the Western Ghats up to 1200 meters above sea level. It is flourishes along the roads as the monsoon trails off. The leaves are slightly sensitive to the touch, hence the name. The plant is enjoyed in multiple ways; bees feed off the the nectar of the flowers and people cook and eat the leaves and shoots as well as using other parts for Ayurvedic medicine.
Turk’s Turban (Clerodendrum Indicum)
Turk’s Turban is a tall shrub with long, narrow, pointed, oleander-like leaves that grows wild throughout India along roadsides, cultivated areas and near human dwellings. Caterpillars of the common silverline butterfly and Death’s Head Hawkmoth feed on these plants. The roots and leaves are used in Ayurveda medicines. Continue reading
Chocolate Pansy (Junonia Iphita)
Chocolate Pansy butterflies are common in nature reserves as well as urban areas. These butterflies have the habit of opening their wings wide to sunbathe while resting. The wings of this butterfly are chocolate in colour with small eyes spots on their lower side.
Kodanad Elephant Training Centre
Kodanad, one of the largest elephant training centres in South India, is located 40 km from Cochin in the high ranges near the southern bank of the Periyar River. In the past elephants where captured from the adjoining forest and trained there. The capture of wild elephants was banned in 1977 so now the center is used for only for training. The pachyderms receive training for participation in temple festivals, one of their primary works in the region.
Peacock Pansy Butterfly (Junonia Almana)
Peacock Pansy Butterflies are frequently found in an around lakesides, grass lands and semi-evergreen patches of the Western Ghats, especially in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, basking in sunny patches in the early part of the day. This beautiful butterfly has pale yellow and orange coloured wings with large eyes spots on the upper side of its hind wings and smaller ones on the forewings. Females of this species are usually larger. Lantana and ixora flowers are the favorite for these butterflies.
Zinnia Flower
Zinnia flowers are commonly naturalized in the Western Ghats of India. These flowers are popular for their beautiful and wide range of attractive colors. In Kerala, these are commonly grown as ornamental flowers in home and butterfly gardens.
Spiral Ginger (Costus Speciosus)
Native to Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of India, Spiral Ginger is a gregarious herb seen along sheltered gravelly slopes in warm, moist, forested regions. This succulent herb has leaves growing spirally around the stem and flowers year-round. The rhizome of the plant is used in ayurvedic medicine.
Organikos 