Peacock flower with other common names like Pride of Barbados, and Dwarf Poinciana belongs to Caesalpiniaceae (Gulmohar) family. The Botanical name is Caesalpinia pulcherrima and in Hindi it is known … [Read more...]
Gomphrena
Also known as Globe Amaranth or Bachelor Button is an annual belonging to Amaranthaceae family. It is known as Adike hoovu in Kannada, Rakthamallika in Sanskrit, Gul-e-makhmal Hindi, and Gundi in … [Read more...]
Vishnukranthi – Dwarf Morning Glory
Every garden big or small must make space for this enchanting plant. As the name Vishnukranthi - Dwarf Morning Glory suggests, the blue flowers are a delight when in bloom and the leaves are equally … [Read more...]
Maiden Hair Fern
This fern rightly deserves the lovely name Maiden hair Fern. I have come across this delicate fern covering entire hills in the Western Ghats. Water trickling down the side of the hills feed the … [Read more...]
Geiger Tree
A very striking tree when in bloom, Geiger Tree is gaining popularity to beautify Indian cities. This evergreen tree is a native of Northern coast of South America and Florida Keys. The tree is named … [Read more...]
White Gulmohar Tree
Again our car screeched to a halt while coming back from Hogenakkal waterfalls hearing me exclaim over something that I spotted. The others in the car expected a wild animal or an exotic bird, … [Read more...]
Busy Lizzie – Impatiens
A single Busy Lizzie plant is enough to brighten up a garden. The botanical name is Impatiens walleriana and belongs to Balsaminaceae family. Busy Lizzie – Impatiens is a perennial herb and is native … [Read more...]
Garlic Creeper
Garlic creeper is a delight to grow as it shoots up very fast and when in bloom it is a sight to behold! Plant Summary: The name is derived because the leaves when crushed smells of garlic. The … [Read more...]
Table Rose – Sun Plant – Portulaca Grandiflora
We used to call this as Table Rose, maybe because the flower looks like a rose and also covers the ground and does not grow tall! Sun plant is a perennial plant in South India but in certain … [Read more...]
Orchid Oberonia
There are 53 species of Oberonia Orchids. Out of this 24 species are found in Kerala and Karnataka. Oberonia is also found in Eastern Himalayas, Assam, Thailand, Malaysia, Uttaranchal, and Java. They … [Read more...]
Bethlehem Lily – Nishagandhi
Bethlehem Lily is known as Nishagandhi and Brahma Kamala in India. The botanical name is Epiphyllum Oxypetalum and belongs to Cactaceae (cactus) family. Nishagandhi is the name given because the … [Read more...]
Lollipop Climber – Mahalingana Balli
Mahalingana Balli or Lollipop Climber is a perennial climber native to rainforests and dry rainforests. It is also known as Striped Cucumber, Marble Vine in English and Shivalingi in Hindi. The … [Read more...]
Coral Shower Tree
Plant Summary: Flowering trees have started to bloom to welcome spring and warmth into our lives. One of the most beautiful flowering trees is the Coral Shower Tree also known as Pink Shower tree and … [Read more...]
Tamarind Tree
Childhood memories of preparing and devouring Chigali (tamarind sweet-sour lollipop) flash as I write about this tree. I also remember bringing down the raw pods by hitting with stones washing them … [Read more...]
Salvia Splendens – Scarlet Sage – Red Salvia
Salvia Splendens is the botanical name and belongs to Lamiaceae family. Salvia Splendens is extremely popular in gardens and is planted in beds, borders, and containers. A native of Brazil, Salvia … [Read more...]
Jasminum Grandiflorum – Mysooru Mallige
When you think of Mysore, you think of Mysooru Mallige also known as Dundu Mallige, which is endemic to this region. The botanical name is Jasminum Grandiflorum and belongs to Oleaceae … [Read more...]
Maruga – Marjoram
The fragrant Maruga (Kannada) bunches sells fast in South Karnataka markets during the Hindu month Shravana (Aug – Sept), as the leaves of this plant are offered to gods and goddesses on all the … [Read more...]
Lotus
Lotus flower since centuries has been a symbol of beauty, peace, purity, and non-attachment. The flower is widely depicted in Hinduism and Buddhism. Hence, this exotic flower is the national flower of … [Read more...]
Gower Ramsey Orchid Oncidium
Fancifully called “dancing dolls”, these are grown commercially for cut flowers. Gower Ramsey have robust and shimmering sprays bearing elegant flowers. The picture in this post is known as … [Read more...]
Brihati
Brihati grows wild throughout India. Brihati is a prickly shrub that grows to a height of 1.5 mtrs and belongs to Solanaceae (potato) family. Botanical name is Solanum Anguivi. English common name is … [Read more...]
