White hibiscus is a small shrub which normally grows to a height of 15-20 feet commonly naturalized in the Western Ghats of India. This single white flower blooms throughout the year and is slightly fragrant. In Kerala, it is mainly grown in homes and spice gardens as an ornamental plant.
ornamental flowers
Angel’s Trumpet (Datura Suaveolens)
Angel trumpet plant is a shrub very commonly found in the Western Ghats of India. It grows to a height of 3-5 meters with funnel shaped white flowers. The shape and color inspires the flower’s name. Continue reading
The Four O’Clock Flower (Mirabilis)
The four o’ clock flower is an ornamental, perennial, scented flower found commonly in the high ranges of the Western Ghats of India up to 800-1200m. These flowers will start to open its delicate bud in the afternoon and reach full bloom by 4 o’ clock. Continue reading
Red Bell Flower
Red bell flower is a shrub naturalized in the Western Ghats of India. In Kerala, it is often added to bouquets for added color and texture. Continue reading
Yellow Bell Flower (Tecoma Stans)
Yellow bell is an ornamental, perennial plant naturalized in the Western Ghats of India that grows to a height of 10-20 ft . The flowers are yellow and bell shaped when inverted, hence bearing the name Yellow bell flower. Bees, butterflies and humming birds are attracted by the flowers and helping them in pollination. In Kerala, it is widely cultivated as an ornamental as it attracts everyone by its natural beauty. Continue reading
Red Trumpet Lily
The Red Trumpet Lily is an ornamental plant commonly naturalized in the high ranges of India’s Western Ghats. The flower gets its name from its trumpet shaped blossom that begins to bloom in April and ends by June. Continue reading
Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida)
The chenille plant is a tropical flowering shrub naturalized in plenty in the Western Ghats of India. This tender perennials grows to a height of 8-10 ft and the soft hanging flowers resemble both the fabric chenille and the tail of a cat; hence it is also known as red hot cat’s tail. This ornamental flower is found in high range homes and spice gardens, made popular by its feathery long flower.
Yellow Allamanda (Golden Trumpet)
Yellow Allamanda is an evergreen, tropical shrub naturalized in the Western Ghats of India growing vigorously to a height of 2m and above. The plant’s main attraction are its yellow, trumpet shaped flowers, Continue reading
Black Lily
The Black lily is an ornamental species of flowering plant found in the Western Ghats of India. It grows a cluster of beautiful blossoms from a taller, leafless flower stalk and are surrounded by broad bracts. The underground stem tubers of the plant are rich in starch. Continue reading
Red Torch Ginger (Pyramidosphaera)
Red torch ginger is a perennial tropical plant native to Malaysia and Indonesia but naturalized in the Western Ghats of India. The plant grows from rhizomes, bulbous root structures similar to culinary part of the ginger family. The main attraction of the plant is its sturdy cluster of bracts that vary from light pink to deep rose color and resemble a flaming torch, hence the name Red Torch Ginger. Continue reading
Football Lily (Haemanthus Multiflorus)
Football Lily (also known as Blood Lily) is a beautiful flowering bulb naturalized in the Western Ghats of India. This exceptional flower starts to bloom in the spring and summer, coming out of the ground with no leaves. The plant is a popular ornamental due to its exuberant blossom. Local people also call this May flower as it blooms in plenty during the month of May. Continue reading
Red Star Glory (Ipomoea hederifolia)
Red Star Glory is an annual twining plant with bright scarlet flowers found in the Western Ghats of India that appears as the monsoon trails off. Its scientific name is Ipomoea hederifolia but it is also known by the names Scarlet creeper, Scarlet Morning Glory and Star Ipomea. The plant grows vigorously to a height of 10 ft. with elongated heart shaped leaves with pointed tips. Continue reading
Ixora coccinea
Ixora coccinea is an ornamental, multi-branched, evergreen shrub found in the Western ghats of India which grows 4-5 ft tall and can reach the height of 12 ft. It is also known by the names Flame of the woods and Jungle flame. The plant has oblong glossy leaves and small bright orange to scarlet flowers that grow in dense rounded clusters 2-5 in in size. Continue reading
Salvia scarlet sage (Salvia splendens)
Salvia scarlet sage is a shrubby, ornamental plant with scarlet red flowers and symmetrical leaves growing commonly in India’s Western Ghats. It is widely cultivated as a bedding plant in many countries. Continue reading
Gulmohar Tree
The Gulmohar tree (Royal Poinciana) is an ornamental shady tree that blooms all over the south Indian roadsides between April and June.
Night Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)
Night blooming Jasmine is an ornamental, evergreen shrub with a woody base that grows up to 13 ft tall. Frequently found in the Western Ghats of India, this nocturnal plant is also known as Lady of the Night or Queen of the Night due its heavily perfumed flowers that can be smelled from the distance of 10 to 15 yards.
Garlic Vine (Mansoa alliacea)
The Garlic Vine is an ornamental plant with a woody stem growing as either a shrub or vine to a height of 2-3 meters. It has bright green leaves, strong twining tendrils and trumpet shaped flowers. The flowers bloom purple and change to a lighter shade of lavender with age, eventually fading to almost white. This climber is native to the Amazon forest but is currently abundant in southern India.
Heliconia pendula
Heliconia pendula are the herbaceous plants that grows up to the height of 0.5 to 4.5 meters. Heliconia are native to Central America and the Caribbean islands. An “exotic” in India, these are mostly found growing in the Western Ghats above 900m. The long leaves of this flower are nearly 15-300cm and grow opposite to one another on a non-woody stalk. Continue reading
Fuchsia – An Ornamental Plant
The fuchsia flower is a beautiful ornamental exotic flower with striking colors which is widely grown in the Western Ghats. The majority of fuchsia species are native to Central and South America. There are almost 110 varieties of this species.
Indian Laburnum (Cassia fistula)- The State Flower of Kerala
Indian Laburnum (Cassia fistula) is a medium sized deciduous tree which grows up to 10-20 meters in height. Indian laburnum is also known as “Golden Shower” tree native to Southern Asia.

















