The Spider Lily is an amazing plant which is commonly found in the hill stations of Kerala’s Western Ghats. These plants can grow in wet areas, in water, as well as dry areas. The beautiful white flowers have long narrow reflexed petals. The flower stem is long and each stem has several flowers. Continue reading
Although originally native to North America pumpkins are now widely growing all over the world as one of the largest vegetables. This gourd-like squash belongs in the botanical family Cucurbitaceae. In India they are commonly farmed in hill station ecosystems. Continue reading
Guinea Balsam is a beautiful flower which was introduced from New Guinea. Also known as Impatiens,it is bushy, soft wooded-plant widely growing in Kerala especially in the hill stations. Balsam’s wide range of colors from red, purple, orange, white, and violet make a popular ornamental in many gardens.
Fuchsia magellanica is an upright shrub that reaches a height of 3-4 feet. The plant is a famous ornamental found in the Western Ghats of India above 1500 meters. It bears flamboyant flowers with deep red sepals and purple-red petals. Continue reading
Malay Rose Apple tree is a tropical evergreen tree which grows up to 40-50 ft height. Native to Malaysia, these trees are cultivated and naturalized in the Western Ghats of India.The rose apple blooms throughout the year and the ripe fruit can be eaten raw. The fruits are also used for making wine, jams, jellies and stews. In medicine the tonic of the fruit is used for ailments of the brain and liver . Continue reading
Native to Mexico and Central America, Tithonia flowers are commonly found in the High Ranges of Kerala as an ornamental flower. The range of colors of these flowers comprises a fiery orange, yellow, and strong red. The flowers are used for floral decorations and are a real magnet for butterflies and other pollinators.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the eastern part of the high ranges of Kerala’s Western Ghats. It is regarded as one of the unique protected areas in the whole of the mountainous region due to its ecological, floral, geomorphological and cultural significance. The habitat types range from high altitude shola-grassland to dry thorny scrub. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is near to Munnar situated in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats, getting rains mostly during the North-East monsoons of October-December. This important watershed area feeds two perennial rivers; the Pambar and the Chinnar, from which the sanctuary takes its name. Continue reading
Native to India and Sri Lanka Blue Fountain Bush is widely growing in the Western Ghats especially in the high ranges of Kerala up to 2000 meters. These large shrubs can be found in hilly forested areas. Its flowers attract butterflies and the leaves and roots are used in traditional medicine. Continue reading
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
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
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
Trailing Eclipta is an erect annual plant with rooted nodes and many branches. The leaves have fibrous hairs on both sides and the flowers are white. These plants thrive in the high ranges of Kerala and the rest of Western Ghats. In Ayurveda these plants are effective in treating inflammation, filariasis, wounds, skin diseases, leprosy, jaundice and fever.
Jamanthi Flowers are native to Southern India and grow widely in and around Kerala. These flowers are found in different colors such as yellow, white, cream and pale red. Jamanthi flowers blooms throughout the year and in Kerala these flowers are popular in all types of gardens. An additional attraction is that the chemical content of this flower is used as a mosquito repellent. Continue reading
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, 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.
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
Gladiolus Flowers are widely cultivated throughout India and the rest of the world. Their longevity (8- 10 days) and wide range of colors (including white, cream, orange, yellow, pink, red, lavender, blue, purple and terra cotta) make them one of the most popular commercial cut flowers in the domestic market. Continue reading
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
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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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.
Organikos 