As we hiked in the Malnad region, I came across a creeper with flowers that I had not seen before and took pictures to identify. Found out that it is the Honey Suckle Mistletoe plant. Other common … [Read more...]
Scarlet Bauhinia Tree – Crimson Mountain Ebony Tree
As we were coming back from a trip traversing the Western Ghats, the scarlet blooms intrigued me and we stopped to take few pictures. A ravine with running water next to this tree was filled with … [Read more...]
Neelakurinji
I missed seeing Neelakurinji in bloom in 2006 and vowed to travel to the land of Neelakurinji flowers in 2018 and I am delighted to share that I just returned from seeing the purplish blue carpeted … [Read more...]
Dandelion
The bright yellow flowers dotting the hill stations are perfect to welcome the holiday mood. The other common names of Dandelion are blowball, cankerwort, doon-head-clock, witch's gowan, milk witch, … [Read more...]
Crested Floating Heart
When you fall in love with the name of this flower, you can just imagine how beautiful the flower must be. Yes, Crested Floated Heart flowers are aquatic floating herb and dot almost in all ponds and … [Read more...]
Mushrooms in Kukkarahalli Kere
When I was walking in Kukkarahalli Kere last Sunday, I got to see many varieties of Mushrooms growing in the thicket. Not a surprise as Mysore has received copious rains this … [Read more...]
Crepe Ginger
I came across this unusual and attractive plant growing wild in Padubidiri. The other common name of Crepe Ginger is Malay Ginger. Crepe Ginger is known as Kusht, Keokanda in Hindi, Koshi in Marthi, … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Uttareni – Apamarga Patram
Common names of this perennial herb in English are Prickly chaff, Rough chaff, Devil's horse whip, in Sanskrit it is Apamarga and the botanical name is Achyranthes aspera and belongs to Amaranthaceae … [Read more...]
Kewda Tree
Known as Kedage or Taale Hoovu in Kannada, this exotic and expensive flower is bought once a year to adorn the idols during the festival season (August-September). The other names for Kewda are … [Read more...]
Durva Grass – Bermuda Grass – Cynodon Dactylon
Botanical name of Bermuda Grass popularly known as Durva Grass / Patra in India is Cynodon dactylon. It belongs to Poaceae (grass) family. Common names are Bahama Grass, Devil's Grass, Couch Grass, … [Read more...]
Devil’s Claw
I came across this interesting plant on the way to Ghati Subramanya. Plant Summary: Common Names are Unicorn Plant, Tiger Claw Plant, Devils claw, and Cat's claw. Botanical name is Martynia … [Read more...]
Datura
The botanical name of Datura is Datura innoxia and belongs to the family Solanaceae. The other common names are Horn of Plenty, Downy Thorn Apple, Safed Dhatura (Hindi). Datura is a … [Read more...]
Common Leucas – Thumbe Hoovu
During Sankashta Ganapathy pooja, I remember collecting the flower and leaves of Thumbe Hoovu growing in empty sites for my parents. Later I used to collect them for Mauna Gowri Pooja. Many people … [Read more...]
Oxalis
This edible weed / herb belong to the wood-sorrel family Oxalidaceae. Oxalis grows all around the world except in the Polar Regions. Picture - Wood Sorrel, Broadleaf Woodsorrel, Mexican … [Read more...]
Touch me not
This is the most interactive plant that I have ever come across. I still watch fascinated when the leaves of this plant closes when touched. It is as though it is cringing away from a possible … [Read more...]
Aeschynanathus Perrottetti – Lipstick Plant
As you traverse into the rain forests of Western Ghats, you will notice orchids, lichens, ferns, and moss attached to tree trunks and branches. In the midst of these green epiphytes I noticed red … [Read more...]
Slipper Flower
Plant Summary: As the name indicates the flower looks like a ladies slipper more like a slipper worn in at home. I have come across these bright and unusual flowers in Ooty and near Kalahatty … [Read more...]
