Davana is an aromatic herb sold, tied as bunches by the flower sellers. Davana and Maruga / Majorma bunches sell the most during Ganesh Chathurthi-Gowri festival. Plant Summary: The botanical name … [Read more...]
Oleander – Kanagale
I am really amazed about my childhood memories revolving around plants and trees! I remember plucking two leaves of Kanagale and putting them together and pulling it in and out, which would make a … [Read more...]
Hollyhocks
Botanical name of Hollyhock is Alcea rosea or Alcea setosa and they belong to Malvaceae (mallow) family. There are hardly any gardens without Hollyhocks standing tall displaying the bright blooms on … [Read more...]
Powder Puff Plant
Plant Summary: The botanical name of Powder Puff Plant is Calliandra haematocephala belonging to the family Fabaceae. Powder puff plant is a sub-tropical plant native to India, Mexico, Madagascar, … [Read more...]
Deodar Tree
Deodar tree is also known as Himalayan Cedar and Devadar in Hindi. The botanical name is Cedrus deodara and belongs to Pinaceae (Pine) family. These evergreen coniferous trees are native of Pakistan … [Read more...]
Four O Clock Flowers – Sanje Mallige
Sanje” means evening in Kannada and “Mallige” means Jasmine. Since the flowers bloom at around four in the evenings and wilt by morning it is called as Sanje Mallige in Kannada and Four O … [Read more...]
Paper Chase Tree
As you whiz into the Western Ghats, you must have observed greenery all around and intermittently you would have observed white leaves, which look like paper hanging on the trees. I have wondered a … [Read more...]
Balsam
Balsam belongs to family Balsaminaceae. There are 850 species of this plant. They are annuals found in tropical and temperate regions of the world. Some of the other common names of Balsam are … [Read more...]
Orchid Phalaenopsis
People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things around us. - Iris Murdoch Phalaenopsis is the latest addition to my modest Orchid … [Read more...]
Peepal Tree
Botanical name of Peepal Tree is Ficus religiosa and belongs to the Moraceae. Peepal tree is native of South East Asia. It is also known as Bodhi Tree. The Peepal tree can be traced back to the … [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...]
Orchid Pholidota Imbricata
I spotted this orchid in Kavadi Kere and research led me to the name Orchid Pholidota Imbricata. I collected two bulbs of this orchid from the aracanut/betel nut garden maintained by the temple. As I … [Read more...]
Pagoda Flower
Pagoda flower has a beautiful Tamil name Krishna Kireedam meaning the crown of Lord Krishna. The name is very apt for this flower. Plant Summary: Pagoda flower botanical name is Clerodendrum … [Read more...]
Orchid Dendrobium Macrostachyum
This year's gift for us. … [Read more...]
Crocodile Bark Tree
Plant Summary: The state tree of Goa is Crocodile Bark Tree belonging to family Combretaceae*. Botanical name of the tree is Terminalia Elliptica. The name is thus derived because the bark of the … [Read more...]
Bakula Tree
I remember collecting the fallen Bakula flowers with the scent intact and stringing it together into a garland. The tree was planted by my grandfather, whose hobby was to grow exotic trees and plants … [Read more...]
Phlox
Plant Summary: Phlox are one of the most preferred flowers to plant in pots and beds. The botanical name is Phlox paniculata and belongs to the family Polemoniaceae. They are also known as Garden … [Read more...]
Pink Tabebuia Impetiginosa – Pink Turmpet Tree
Namma garden city Bengaluru is fast becoming a city of cement and glass buildings, but come January, the Pink Tabebuia Impetiginosa trees burst into deep pink blooms adding the much needed color to … [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...]
Rain Tree – Albizia Saman
My friends and I used to collect the fruit of this tree known as Bagekayi in Kannada and grind it with big stones and make into balls and sun dry them. They used to turn out hard like the … [Read more...]
