Friday, December 28, 2012

Oxalis regnellii (Oxalis triangularis) Love plant


Love plant

Botanical Name: Oxalis triangularis
Common Name: Love plant, Purple shamrock
Genus: Oxalis

Oxalis triangularis, commonly called False Shamrock, is a species of edible perennial plant in the Oxalidaceae family. It is endemic to Brazil. This wood sorrel is typically grown as a houseplant but can be grown outside in USDA climate zones* preferably in light shade.

Oxalis regnellii leaf 

*USDA Hardiness Zone is 10°F warmer (or colder) in an average winter 

Pic : Kerala, IND


Saturday, December 8, 2012

DAISY FLEABANE (Erigeron bellidioides )

Flowers of Himalaya

DAISY FLEABANE 

Botanical name: Erigeron bellidioides 
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
Synonyms: Aster bellidioides

Daisy Fleabane are carpeting plants which spontaneously bloom in hill-stations, on the ground with wild grass, peering from wall cervices, and almost any place available. This evergreen perennial with green foliage, produces an abundance of yellow centered, small daisy-like flowerheads in summer. The outer petals are initially white, maturing to pink. Native to the Indian Subcontinent: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan.




Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Blue billy Goat weed, Ageratum Flowers(Ageratum conyzoides)

Flowers of Himalaya


Blue billy Goat weed
Botanical name: Ageratum conyzoides 
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

Medicinal
Antibacterial – Leaf – wound healing
Insecticidal – (leaf oil) against weevils.

Goat weed is a common tropical annual herbaceous weed. It is an erect softly hairy annual plant which grows up to a height of 2.5 feet. Oppositely arranged leaves are ovate to lance-like, coarsely rounded, and have toothed margin. Numerous pale blue or whitish flowerheads are 6 mm across, often forming dense domed to flat-topped clusters in leaf axils or end of branches. Flowers most of the year. The stem is often red and has long white hairs. The weak aromatic unpleasant smelling leaves are also covered with fine hair. The dark seeds have scales and ends in a needle-like shape. In alternative medicine, ageratum is used against epilepsy and wounds, also used as an insect repellent.

Pic:Uttarakhand, INDIA

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Water hyacinth – Kulavazha (Eichhornia Crassipes)

Water hyacinth – Kulavazha 

Family: Pontederiaceae
Botanical name: Eichhornia Crassipes
Kulavazha, African payal, Neerpola


Water hyacinth is a free-floating perennial aquatic plant (or hydrophyte) native to tropical and sub-tropical South America. With broad, thick, glossy, ovate leaves, water hyacinth may rise above the surface of the water as much as 1 meter in height. The leaves are 10–20 cm across, and float above the water surface. They have long, spongy and bulbous stalks. The feathery, freely hanging roots are purple-black. An erect stalk supports a single spike of 8-15 conspicuously attractive flowers, mostly lavender to pink in colour with six petals. When not in bloom, water hyacinth may be mistaken for frog's-bit (Limnobium spongia).
One of the fastest growing plants known, water hyacinth reproduces primarily by way of runners or stolons, which eventually form daughter plants. It also produces large quantities of seeds, and these are viable up to thirty years. The common water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) are vigorous growers known to double their population in two weeks.
Water hyacinth has been widely introduced in North America, Asia, Australia, Africa and New Zealand. They can be found in large water areas such as Louisiana, or in the Kerala Backwaters in India.
The Whole plant of Kulavazha is used for goiter, swelling and burning sensation.


Pic:Kerala



Saturday, December 1, 2012

Himalayan Fleabane (Erigeron multiradiatus)

Flowers of Himalaya
Himalayan Fleabane (Erigeron multiradiatus)

Botanical name: Erigeron multiradiatus 
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

Erigeron is a genus of about 200 species - The most widely used common name, fleabane, is shared with related plants in several other genera. Himalayan fleabane is a beautiful perennial with erect hairy stem upto 12-30 cm, and aster-like flowers. Leaves can be inversely ovate or lance-like, pointed or blunt, entire or coarsely toothed. Flower-heads vary in size 1.5-5 cm across, solitary or clustered, long stalked. "Petals" or ray florets are dark purple, long thread like, spreading. The central disk is yellow.

Pic: Uttarakhand, INDIA (September 15) 2009  




Friday, November 30, 2012

Elephant Creeper

Elephant Creeper

(Argyreia nervosa, Argyreia speciosa)
Family: Convolvulaceae

other names.
Woolly Morning Glory, Woodrose, Silver Elephant Creeper, Hawaiian Baby Woodrose




A native of eastern India and Bangladesh, this vigorous twiner will grow 30 ft (9 m) or more into the treetops, but can be trained over a post or stump and kept trimmed to a mound like form. A dense white down covers both young stems and leaf undersides. The leaves are ovate-cordate, to 1 foot across, white tomentose beneath with lateral veins conspicuous on the undersides. Tight clusters of trumpet-shaped bright pink flowers about 2 in (5 cm) across on pedicels to 6 inches long appear among the foliage in spring and summer. In a tropical climate cultivation is simple, the plants making very vigorous growth in a sunny position in moist soil. In cooler climates they can be grown in a sunny conservatory, but due to their rampant growth will need frequent cutting back. Propagate from seed or cuttings. Used medicinally in India. The roots and seeds of Elephant Creeper have been used as a support of the nervous system, a geriatric tonic and mild aphrodisiac. The whole plant is reported to have purifying properties. It is also taken to help maintain healthy joints.

Pic:near Thiruvilwamala, Palakkad Dt, Kerala.INDIA

Thursday, November 29, 2012

WALLICH GERANIUM (Geranium wallichianum)

Flowers of Himalaya
WALLICH GERANIUM


Botanical name: Geranium wallichianum
Family: Geraniaceae (Geranium family)

Wallich Geranium is a perennial herb with paired rose-pink to red-purple flowers with pale centers. Flowers are 2.5-4 cm across. Sepals are bristly haired on veins. Plants usually have large stipules which are an identifying feature. Leaves are mostly 4-8 cm across, 3-5 lobed, the lobes are broad-rhombic, further lobed and toothed. The plant has a much branched stem, growing up to 1-4 ft tall. 
Flowering: June-September

Pic: mana village uttarakhand 09

Rugged Yellow Balsam (Impatiens scabrida)

flowers of Himalaya
Rugged Yellow Balsam
Scabby Balsam 
Botanical name: Impatiens scabrida
Family: Balsaminaceae (Balsam family)
Synonyms: Impatiens cristata

Rugged Yellow Balsam is a rather robust often much branched plant with large lemon yellow flowers spotted with brown within. Flowers are borne several in each axil, 3-4 cm long, with a broad funnel-shaped lower sepal suddenly contracted to a slender spur 1.5-3 cm long. Upper petal is rounded and spurred. Lateral sepals pubescent, ovate-suborbiculate, 5-7 x 4-7 mm, sometimes mottled brown-black. The short-stalked leaves are 5-15 cm, elliptic to lacelike, long pointed, with acute teeth. Stem is finely hairy, 2-4 ft tall. Rugged Yellow Balsam is found in shrubberies, forests and damp places, at altitudes of 1200-3600 m, from Kashmir to Bhutan. 
Flowering: May-September.

Pic:Uttarakhand 09



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

HIMALAYAN FLEECEFLOWER

Flowers of Himalaya


HIMALAYAN FLEECEFLOWER 

Common name: Himalayan Fleeceflower, Himalayan knotweed Botanical name: Polygonum affine Family: Polygonaceae (Knotweed family) Synonyms: Persicaria affinis, Polygonum brunonis, Polygonum donianum




Himalayan Fleeceflower is low creeping densely tufted mat-forming alpine herb, with narrow elliptic leaves which are glaucous beneath, and with cylindrical spikes of many pale or deep pink flowers, borne at the top of short erect stems. Flower-spikes are 5-7.5 cm long, with densely crowded flowers. Stamens slightly protrude out of the flowers. Leaves are mostly at the base, 3-8 cm long, with the base narrowed to a short stalk. Leaf margins are entire or very finely toothed. The mid-vein is prominent. Flowering stems are several, 5-25 cm tall, with very few smaller leaves. Himalayan Fleeceflower is found in the Himalayas, from Afghanistan to E. Nepal, at altitudes of 3000-4800 m. Flowering: June-September.

BUSH SORREL (Hibiscus surattensis)


Bush Sorrel

Common name: Bush Sorrel, Wild Sour, Bush Althea
Botanical name: Hibiscus surattensis   
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow family)
Synonyms: Furcaria surattensis

Bush Sorrel is a weak-stemmed, prostrate or climbing plant covered with soft hairs and scattered prickles. The leaves are rounded, up to 10 X 10 cm, and deeply and palmately 3- to 5-lobed, the lobes being toothed. The flowers are yellow, with a dark center, and occur singly in leaf axils. Petals are obovate, up to 6 cm long and 4 cm wide. This flower can be easily identified by its unique false sepals, which are 8-10 in number. The false sepals (actually bracts) are forked into a spoon-shaped outer part, and a narrow linear inner part. But for this feature, the plant can be confused with Deccan Hemp. The capsules are hairy and ovoid. The seeds are downy. Bush Sorrel is found throughout the tropical world. Its leaves are commonly used as pot-herb in many parts of Africa and Asia. Flowering: September-March.


Pink Powder Puff

Pink Powder Puff

Botanical name: Calliandra brevipes
Family: Mimosaceae (Touch-me-not family)
Synonyms: Anneslia brevipes, Calliandra selloi

This Pink Powder Puff is very different from the pink form of the common Powder Puff. It is a small shrub with double- compound leaves. The number of leaflets is much larger than that in common Powder Puff. Leaflets are very closely spaced and are often 'closed up'. This one never grows taller than 1.8m. Flowers are a beautiful powder-puff of erect stamens which are white towards the base and pink above. Pink Powder Puff is native to South America.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Moon vine

Moon flower vine or Moon vine 

Botanical name: Ipomoea alba    
Family: Convolvulaceae (morning glory family) 



Moon vine is a vigorous twining vine that is very fast growing in really hot weather. Mon vine is a close relative of the morning glory, and has similar heart shaped leaves that are a rich green and 4-8 inches long. However, unlike its cousine, its buds open in late afternoon and shrivel up by morning. For this reason, it is sometimes also called evening glory. Although the individual flowers of moon vine have a short life, they are of large size, and are produced in large numbers. These are held on a stem that bears several buds simultaneously, not all of which bloom the same night. The long 4 in buds are also very attractive especially in the hours just before the flower opens. And what a fabulous flower the moon vine produces - they are fluted funnels sculpted in purest alabaster white. About the diameter of a saucer measuring 5-6 inches across. As if the moonflower was not already enchanting enough, it also has a delightful fragrance to complement its beauty and perfume warm summer nights. Native to American tropics, moon vine can be seen growing wild in India.



Pic:Kumbalangi EranakulamDt.Kerala.INDIA

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Love-in-a-mist - Stinking passionflower


Love-in-a-mist  -  Stinking passionflower 
പൂച്ചപഴം


Botanical name: Passiflora foetida    
Family: Passifloraceae 
(passion flower family)


Love-in-a-mist is a creeping vine which has an edible fruit and leaves that have a mildly rank aroma. It is native to northern South America and the West Indies. The stems are thin, wiry and woody, covered with sticky yellow hairs. The leaves are three- to five-lobed and viscid-hairy. They give off an unpleasant odor when crushed. The flowers are white to pale cream colored, about 5-6 cm diameter. The fruit is globose, 2-3 cm diameter, yellowish-orange to red when ripe, and has numerous black seeds embedded in the pulp; the fruit are eaten and the seeds dispersed by birds. The bracts of this plant serve as insect traps, but it is as yet unknown whether the plant digests and gains nourishment from the trapped insects or if it merely uses the bracts as a defensive mechanism to protect its flowers and fruit. This is still an issue of debate and research among carnivorous plant enthusiasts. 


native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and much of South America.


 This species can be helpful in treating digestive problems, including dyspepsia and diarrhea; or used as an astringent and expectorant for nervous conditions and spasms.



Pic:Kumbalangi EranakulamDt.Kerala.INDIA



Friday, January 13, 2012

Begonia



Begonia ബിഗോണിയ
Begonia is a genusof plants, comprising of some 1500 species. Most are found on the forrestfloor, growing in the shade of tall trees. They tend to have large leaves tocollect the dim light that filters from the canopy above. Some have evolvedspecial adaptions, such as a reflective layer below the leaves, that reflectthat has passed through the leaf, back up again, effectively doubling thethickness of the leaf.


Tuberous: The tuberous type of begonia is alsovery popular around the world as a bedding plant and also as a greenhouseplant. In some countries such as England it is the main type grown. Thetuberous types are grown for theirflowers although there are a few varietiesand speciess which have interesting leaves and growth. The flower size canrange from small 1/2 inch flowers to the large exhibition types that can haveflowers the size of dinner plates. The flowers range in type from singles tofull doubles and come in every color exept shades of blue. There are evenflowers with different color edges and some are scented. The plant types rangefrom trailing types that are grown in hanging baskets with pendulant flowers tosturdy upright plants. The tuberous types grow from tubers and go dormantduring short days during the fall and winter. They are restarted in the spring.Another related type is the semi-tuberous which don't have a tuber but whichhave form a caudex at the base. This caudex is like a large swollen stem fromwhich many smaller stems grow. Most semi-tuberous have small leaves and smallwhite flowers, but at least a couple are pink. They make almost a naturalbonzai with their swollen base and small stems and leaves.
Family - Begoniaceae














ബിഗോണിയേസിയേ എന്ന കുടുംബത്തില്‍ പെട്ട ഒരു സസ്യമാണിത് 1500 ലേറെ ജാതികള്‍ ഉള്ള ഈ സസ്യം ഏഷ്യ ദക്ഷിണ,അമേരിക്ക , ആഫ്രിക്ക തുടങ്ങിയ സ്ഥലങ്ങളില്‍ കണ്ടുവരുന്നു

ഇതില്‍ കാണുന്ന ചിത്രങ്ങള്‍ കൂടുതലും നൈനിതാല്‍,ഹിമാലയ, കേരളത്തിലെ മലമ്പ്രദേശങ്ങള്‍ തുടങ്ങിയ സ്ഥലത്തുനിന്നു എടുത്തിട്ടുള്ളവയാണ്

Begonia picta - Himalaya India
A tuberous rooted species growing from rockcrevices and mud ledges. dormant in winter. New growth starts from late springand produces beautifully colour leaves. Flowers throughout summer with clustersof showy deep pink flowers. A form with plain green leaves also exists.
Locally known as makkar-kajay.
Habitat: Eastern Himalayas in shaded ledges,along roadsides and among humus filled rock crevices.
Ethnobotany: The succulent petioles are sourand are used locally for making pickle.



Deferent types ofBegonias:
Canes: Cane begoniashave been popular plants for many years and were probably grown by yourGrandmother who called them "Angel Wing" begonias. Many types havebeen created since then and those grown by your Grandmother are probably stillin cultivation. There are several types of canes in varying sizes but they allhave in common tough stems that have a bamboo appearance, which gives them thecane handle. The superba canes generally grow the largest and can have leavesup to about 14 inches long and can grow to 12 feet high. They are usually keptsmaller and more compact than that though. They have leaves that are cut andmost types have silver spots or splashes on them. They have large flowerclusters and some are fragrant. They are most popular in the southern stateswhere they are grown outdoors in frost free areas but can also be grown quitewell indoors or in a greenhouse. Two begonia hybridizers, Irene Nuss and BelvaKusler created many of the first superbas to become popular, and Irene's hybridB.'Irene Nuss' and Belva's B.'Sophie Cecile' are the two most widely circulatedsuperbas of all time. The other most popular type of cane is the type formallycalled "angel wing" begonias. These come in every size from typescommonly grown in baskets to large upright plants but all have the familiarpointed leaf shape that gave them their former common name. This type is stillwidely grown and many new hybrids are created every year. Many have silverspotted/splashed leaves and some have different serrated edges. Most are heavybloomers, some even everbloomers. There are other types which fall somewherebetween the two types mentioned above and there is also the mallet type canes.These are not as widely grown because they are more tender. They have leaves invarious colors, most purple, pink or white. They are spectacular looking.

Shrubs: Shrubs arealso very variable and can range in size from miniatures to giants 12 feettall. Some varieties have leaves up to 24 inches long under perfect conditions.The leaf surface is also variable and some have smooth shiny leaves and othertypes have hairy or felted leaves. This type gets its name from the way itgrows with many shoots coming up from the soil to make a full plant like anyother shrub you would grow. They are very multi-stemmed. Most varieties do notbloom as often or as heavily as the cane type but there are many that are everblooming and are used as bedding plants across the country. The shrub type isgrown mostly for it's ease of growing, interesting leaves, and full growth.Most shrubs have white flowers but there are plenty of pink and red ones also,and many have hairy flowers.

Rhizomatous: Therhizomatous types are grown mostly for their interesting leaves and compactgrowth but they have the added bonus of a massive display of flowers, usuallyin the spring, that cover the whole plant. Most are spring blooming but thereare a few that bloom all year. They range in size from tiny miniature to largeplants like B.'Freddie' that can have 3 foot leaves under optimum conditions(one growing outdoors in Hawaii grew that large). The plants can also grow verylarge across but don't reach great heighth, because they grow from rhizomesthat creep along the ground, which gives this type its name. The rhizomatoustypes are popular all across the country and one in particular B.'Erythrophylla'was probably grown by your Grandmother, who called it a beef steak begoniabecause of it's large round leaves. (I know I've said grown by your Grandmotherseveral times but I don't want to give you the impression that begonias areonly grown by grandmothers, I only want to reaquaint you with past memories andgive you an idea of how long begonias have been around) Some types ofrhizomatous have intricate patterns on their leaves in almost any earthtonecolor, some are hairy leaved, some are round and shiny, and some are starshaped. There is really no end to the variety of leaf shape, color and texturein this type of begonia, there is something for every taste.

Semperflorens: Thistype of begonia is probably the most widely grown begonia and in some parts ofthe country is called "wax type" because of the waxy look to theleaves. These begonias are grown mostly as bedding plants and annuals but arereally a perennial shrub type of begonia in areas that don't freeze. All haverounded leaves and are ever-blooming and the flowers come in every shade ofred, pink and white. The leaves come mostly in two colors, green and bronze,but there are variegated types such as B. `Charm' and calla types with newleaves that come out white. The flowers come in single and double types. Someof the species semperflorens have felted white or brown leaves.

Tuberous: Thetuberous type of begonia is also very popular around the world as a beddingplant and also as a greenhouse plant. In some countries such as England it isthe main type grown. The tuberous types are grown for theirflowers althoughthere are a few varieties and speciess which have interesting leaves andgrowth. The flower size can range from small 1/2 inch flowers to the largeexhibition types that can have flowers the size of dinner plates. The flowersrange in type from singles to full doubles and come in every color exept shadesof blue. There are even flowers with different color edges and some arescented. The plant types range from trailing types that are grown in hangingbaskets with pendulant flowers to sturdy upright plants. The tuberous typesgrow from tubers and go dormant during short days during the fall and winter.They are restarted in the spring. Another related type is the semi-tuberous whichdon't have a tuber but which have form a caudex at the base. This caudex islike a large swollen stem from which many smaller stems grow. Mostsemi-tuberous have small leaves and small white flowers, but at least a coupleare pink. They make almost a natural bonzai with their swollen base and smallstems and leaves.

Rex Cultorum: Rexbegonias are the showboats of the begonia world and are a type of rhizomatousbegonia that are grown for their multicolored leaves. Their leaves come inevery color, pattern and shade, and every size and shape. All Rex Culturumtypes are descended from the Indian speciess B. rex that was crossed with othertyes of rhizomatous begonias. Rex begonias do bloom but are not grown for theirblooms which pale in comparison to their spectacular leaves.

Trailing/Scandent:The trailing type of begonias are grown mostly for their trailing habit but puton a spectacular show of flowers, usually in the spring. Some of the newervarieties have a longer blooming period or are everblooming. Most have glossyleaves and look like a philodendron, but there are types that get large leavesand will climb. In their native habitat these types will climb up the trunks oftrees. Most of the trailing types have white or pink flowers. Scandent refersto begonias that climb and use roots to attach to trees, rocks, steep banks,and walls.

Thick-stemmed: Thethick-stemmed types are not as widely grown but come in various forms. Thecommon factor between them is their very thick stems. Most thick-stemmed typesdon't branch much but send up new growth from the base. They also show off thethick stems because they drop their lower leaves and usually only have leaveson the tips. These can be very attractive and are definitely unusual if you'relooking for something different to grow. One thick-stemmed B. valida even has cream variegation during the warmmonths of the year.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Dahlia

Dahlia ഡാലിയ
Dahliais a genus of bushy, tuberous, perennial plants native to Mexico, CentralAmerica, and Colombia.
30 species, 20,000cultivars


Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Coreopsideae



Dahlias are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterflies) species including Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) is a moth*, Common Swift(Korscheltellus lupulina), Ghost Moth (Hepialus humuli) and Large Yellow Under wing (Noctua pronuba)

*moth is an insect closelyrelated to the butterfly



മെക്സിക്കോ, മദ്ധ്യഅമേരിക്ക, കൊളംബിയ എന്നി രാജ്യ ങ്ങളില്‍ ആണ് ഇവയുടെ ഉത്ഭവം എങ്കിലും ഇന്ന് എല്ലാ രാജ്യങ്ങളിലെയും പൂന്തോട്ടങ്ങളില്‍ അഴകായി ഇവ വളരുന്നു. രണ്ടു വര്‍ഷത്തോളം ആയുസ്സ് കണക്കാക്കുന്ന ഈ ചെടി വര്‍ഷം മുഴുവന്‍ പൂത്തുനില്‍ക്കുന്നു