Cuphea is a flowering plant native to the tropical regions of Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. More than 250 species of Cupheas grow around the world, including both perennial and annual varieties. Continue reading
Flora
Beauty Of Kerala
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
During the monsoon paddy fields are sub-merged in water and no farming can be done. At this time Lotus and Water Lilies grow abundantly, creating one of lowland Kerala’s most beautiful views.
Hollyhock
Hollyhock is an annual summer flower which is very common in Kerala’s high range gardens. Proud and upright, the impressive flower stands out from the rough, generally heart-shaped leaves. Continue reading
Petunia Flowers
Petunias are a low spreading plants with downy leaves and multicolored flowers. These attractive plants are members of the solanaceae family. There are about 35 different species of petunias. Continue reading
Fresh Flower Garlands
Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor
Flower Garlands play an important role in the culture and traditions of India, crossing all religious and economic lines. Garlands are used for all ceremonies and welcome rituals: weddings, birthdays, offerings to Temples and blessings, now not exclusively for Hindus. Continue reading
Pansy Flowers
Pansy flowers belong to the Viola species, a group of hybrid flowers found in gardens worldwide. With their enchanting wildflower charm and numerous color combinations these flowers are probably the most popularly grown and most recognizable cool season plant growing above 1500 meters in the Western Ghats of India. Continue reading
Heliconia Collinsiana
Heliconia Collinsiana is an ornamental plant native to Central America that grows widely as a popular garden plant in India’s Western Ghats above 800 metres. Continue reading
Bracted Strawflower – Helichrysum bracteatum
Bracted Strawflowers are a native Australia perennial that has naturalized in the hill stations of India’s Western Ghats above 1500 meters. The parchment-like flowers bloom in a wide range of colors, including yellow, white, red and pink.
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Azalea – Rhododendron
Azalea plants are flowering shrubs with colorful, trumpet shaped flowers in the genus Rhododendron. Native to Asia, North America and Europe, they are widely planted as ornamentals in the Western Ghats of India above 1500 meters. Continue reading
Alstroemeria – Peruvian Lily
Although native to South America, the Peruvian Lily now grows widely in India’s Western Ghats above 1500 meters. This member of the lily family blooms in a wide range of colors including yellow, orange, pink, red, lavender, purple, cream and white. Continue reading
Fishtail Palm -Toddy Palm
The Fishtail Palm is an attractive flowering plant with fishtail shaped leaves that grows in the tropical rain forest from India to Burma. In Kerala the tree is tapped for the local kallu (toddy) and the leaves are also a favorite fodder for elephants. Continue reading
Indian Coral Tree – Erythrina indica
The Indian Coral Tree is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Indian sub-continent, They are found widely in the Western Ghats, blooming during January to March. Continue reading
Kuruva Dweep – Wayanad, Kerala
Photo credits: Shaji Kumily
Most of the 40 odd rivers that originate in the Western Ghats flow west to the Arabian Sea, but three flow east to the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Kabini is one of these rivers. It develops from two separate rivulets that wind around a 950 acre wooded island nestled amidst sylvan surroundings, called Kuruva Dweep. Continue reading
Betel Leaf – Pan Leaf (Piper betle)
Betel is the leaf of a climbing vine that belongs to the Piperaceae family. A member of the same family as black pepper, they both require a support tree to grow. The plant has many traditional medicinal uses; in Kerala people use the betel leaf to treat headaches, arthritis and joint pain, in China and Thailand the root of the plant is used for toothache. Continue reading
Cardamom – Elettaria cardamom
A native of India’s Western Ghats, Cardamom belongs to the Ginger family. Known as the “Queen Of Spices”, it is one of the most famous and popular spices used in India and the Middle East. The dried berry of the plant is called chotti elaichi in Hindi, which means small cardamom. Continue reading
There’s Something About Audrey
Last year I wrote about the eminent blooming of the rare Titan Arum, more fondly known as the corpse plant or in my posts “Audrey”, at Cornell University’s Kenneth Post Lab Greenhouse. The event was followed with quite a bit of fanfare, as these blooms allow for the assisted cross pollination of the various specimens around the world, thus hopefully insuring the survival of the species that is becoming more and more rare in the wild. Continue reading
White Hibiscus
White Hibiscus is an ornamental flower commonly growing in the hill ranges of Kerala. In Ayurveda medicine white hibiscus root is used for cough and hair growth. The flower and leaf is also used as shampoo and conditioner.
Cashew Tree (Anacardium occidentale)
Cashew is an evergreen tree growing in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Although it is native to the Americas, it is now naturalized in much of Asia and in Kerala the Kollam district is famous for the best quality Cashew Nuts. Continue reading
Cassia – Cinnamomum tamala
Cassia is a moderate sized evergreen tree widely growing in the evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of Western Ghats. One of the popular spices commonly used in the Indian diet, Cassia is generally considered inferior to Cinnamon, but is often used as its substitute. Continue reading
Star Gooseberry – Phyllanthus acidus
Star Gooseberry is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows up to 7-8 metres high in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia. The round scalloped fruits are mainly used for making pickles in Kerala. Continue reading
Organikos 