Tell a friend about this flower! ative Photo: Thingnam Girija
Common name: Satawari, Wild Asparagus Hindi: satawari, bojhidan,
shatavir Manipuri: A:Al(d Nunggarei Marathi: Satavari-mul, Asvel
Tamil: Sadavari, Tannir-muttan-kizhangu, Kilavari
Malayalam:Chatavali,Satavali Telugu: challa-gaddalu, challagadda,
ettavaludutige Kannada: aheruballi, ashadhi, halarru-makkal
Bengali: AUX Satamuli, AUX Satamul Oriya:Vari Urdu: Satawar,
Shaqaqul misri Assamese: A(UlX Satomul Sanskrit: Abhiru, Shatavari,
Hiranyasringi Mizo: ArkebawkBotanical name: Asparagus
racemosusFamily: Asparagaceae (Asparagus family) Synonyms:
Asparagus volubilis Satawari is a woody climber growing to 1-2 m in
height, with leaves like pine needles, small and uniform and the
flowers white, in small spikes. It contains adventitious root
system with tuberous roots. Stems are climbing, branched, up to 2
m; branches usually distinctly striate-ridged. Leaves are just
modified stems, called cladodes. Branches contain spines on them.
Inflorescences develope after cladodes, axillary, each a
many-flowered raceme or panicle 1-4 cm. Pedicel 1.5-3 mm, slender,
articulate at middle. Flowers are white with a pink tinge, 2-3 mm,
bell-shaped with 6 petals. Stamens equal, ca. 0.7 mm; anthers
yellow, minute. Within India, it is found growing wild in tropical
and sub-tropical parts of India including the Andamans; and
ascending in the Himalayas up to an altitude of 1500 m. Flowering:
October-November.Medicinal uses: In Ayurvedic medicine, the root of
Satavari is used in the form of juice, paste, decoction and powder
to treat intrinsic haemorrhage, diarrhoea, piles, hoarseness of
voice, cough, arthritis, poisoning, diseases of female genital
tract, erysipelas, fever, as aphrodisiac and as rejuvinative.
Identification credit: Nandan KalbagPhotographed in Delhi. Tell a
friend about this flower! ative Photo: Dinesh Valke Common name:
Sita Ashok, Sorrowless tree Hindi: Sita Ashok, Ashok Gujarati:
Ashopalava Kannada: Achenge Malayalam: Hemapushpam Marathi: Jasundi
Tamil: Asogam Telugu: AsokamuBotanical name: Saraca indica/Jonesia
asokaFamily: Caesalpiniaceae (Gulmohar family) Ashoka is one of the
most legendary and sacred trees of India, and one of the most
fascinating flowers in the Indian range of flower essences. Ashok
is a Sanskrit word meaning without grief or that which gives no
grief. Indigenous to India, Burma and Malaya, it is an erect tree,
small and evergreen, with a smooth, grey-brown bark. The crown is
compact and shapely. Flowers are usually to be seen throughout the
year, but it is in January and February that the profusion of
orange and scarlet clusters turns the tree into an object of
startling beauty. Pinned closely on to every branch and twig, these
clusters consist of numerous, small, long-tubed flowers which open
out into four oval lobes. Yellow when young, they become orange
then crimson with age and from the effect of the sun's rays. From a
ring at the top of each tube spread several long, half-white,
half-crimson, stamens which give an hairy appearance to the flower
clusters. In strong contrast to these fiery blooms is the
deep-green, shiny foliage. The foot-long leaves each have four,
five or six pairs of long, wavy-edged, leaflets. Young leaves are
soft, red and limp and remain pendent even after attaining full
size.Medicinal uses: As one would expect from a tree of the country
it has many useful medicinal properties. The juice obtained from
boiling the bark is a cure for some ailments of women, and a pulp
of the blossoms is one of the remedies used for dysentery.
Identification credit: Neelima Kale Photographs from Maharashtra
& Bangalore. Tell a friend about this flower! Common name:
Suryavarti, Rottler's Chrozophora Hindi: shadevi Marathi:
suryavarti Tamil: Purapirakkai Telugu: Jo Do oc: erra miriyamu,
n:oan:e: guruguchettu, 0onDo. linga mirapa Kannada: lingamenasu
Konkani: survarli Urdu: chotaki hunkatath, suryawarta Sanskrit:
suryavartaBotanical name: Chrozophora rottleriFamily: Euphorbiaceae
(Castor family) Synonyms: Croton rottleri Suryavarti is an erect
herb with silvery hairs. Lower part of stem is naked, upper part
hairy. It has slender tap-root. Leaves are stalked, 3.5-9.5 cm
long, 2.3-8 cm wide, ovate to circular, with wavy margin. The
leaves are densely hairy on both sides. Flowers are small,
yellowish. Male flowers petals ovate. Female flowers sepals
triangular, acute. Fruit is a capsule. Flowering: February-August.
Tell a friend about this flower! ative Photo: Satish Phadke Common
name: Indian Olibanum, Indian frankincense Gujarati: saaledi,
salaai gugul Hindi: ~| shallaki, kundur, luban Kannada: guggula
mara Malayalam:kungilyam Marathi: dhupali, dhupasali, kurunda,
salaphali, salai, sali Oriya: salai Sanskrit: bhishan, guggula, 1
hastinashana, palank, parvati, hradini, 7 kurunda, ~| sallaki, ~|
shallaki, P sruva Tamil: kumancam, kunkiliyam, marattu-vellai,
paranki-c-campi-rani, vellai-k-kirai Telugu: n:ncc: guggilamu,
.oon`ot ce: parangi-sambrani-chettu, c ssallaki Urdu: kundur,
lobanaBotanical name: Boswellia serrataFamily: Burseraceae
(Torchwood family) Synonyms: Boswellia glabra, Boswellia thurifera,
Bursera thurifera Indian Olibanum is a deciduous tree endemic to
India and has been recorded on dry hills and slopes, on gravelly
soils between an altitude range of 275-900 m. It is a medium sized
tree, 3-5 m tall, with ash coloured papery bark. Alternately
arranged leaves are pinnate, crowded at the end of branches, 20-40
cm long. There are 8-15 pairs of leaflets, 3-6 cm long, with an odd
one at the tip. Leaflets are ovate, with toothed margin. Flowers
are tiny, creamy, about 8 mm across, borne in 10-15 cm long racemes
in leaf axils. There are 10 stamens with a short style and a
3-lobed stigma. Fruits are 2 cm long, 3-cornered. Indian Olibanum
tree, on injury, exudates an oleo-gum-resin known as Salai, Guggal
or Indian Frankincense. Flowering: January.Medicinal uses: Extracts
of Indian Olibanum have been clinically studied for osteoarthritis
and joint function, particularly for osteoarthritis of the knee. A
Boswellia extract marketed under the name Wokvel has undergone
human efficacy, comparative, pharmacokinetic studies. Indian
Olibanum is used in the manufacture of the supposed anti-wrinkle
agent "Boswelox", which has been criticised as being ineffective.
Identification credit: Satish Phadke Photographed in Maharashtra.
Tell a friend about this flower! Common name: Wild Indigo, Fish
Poison, Tephrosia, {Sarphonk , Sharpunkha } (Hindi), Unhali
(Marathi)Botanical name: Tephrosia purpureaFamily: Fabaceae (pea
family) Native to East India, Wild Indigo grows as common wasteland
weed. In many parts it is under cultivation as green manure crop.
Its is a plant of the genus Tephrosia having pinnate leaves and
white or purplish flowers and flat hairy pods. This plant contains
a mild toxin called tephrosin which chemically stuns fish but does
not effect mammals. The extract is obtained by crushing the whole
plant by mortar and pestle, or rocks, and then scattering it in
tide pools. In a few minutes, small fish would float up to the
surface and could be caught by hand. The flesh from the fish is
safe to eat. This system of fishing, good for older people and
children, was called hola.Medicinal uses: According to Ayurveda,
plant is digestible, anthelmintic, alexiteric, antipyretic,
alternative, cures diseases of liver, spleen, heart, blood,
tumours, ulcers, leprosy, asthma, poisoning etc. According to Unani
system of medicine, root is diuretic, allays thirst, enriches
blood, cures diarrhea, useful in bronchitis, asthma, liver, spleen
diseases, inflammations, boils and pimples; Leaves are tonic to
intestines and a promising appetizer. Good in piles, syphilis and
gonorrhoea.Identification credit: Nandan Kalbag Photographed in
J.N.U., Delhi. Tell a friend about this flower! Common name: Tailed
Pepper, java pepper, cubeb Hindi: Kabab-chini, kabachini,
Sheetal-chini Kannada: Balmenasu, Gandha menasu Malayalam:
Val-milaku Marathi: Mothi, Pimpli Oriya: Sugandhamaricha Sanskrit:
Renuka, cinatiksna, Chinorana, Kakkola Tamil: valmilaku,
kanakamilaku, takkolam Telugu: halava-miriyalu, toka-miriyalu Urdu:
Kabab-chini, Shital-chiniBotanical name: Piper cubebaFamily:
Piperaceae (Pepper family) Tailed pepper is a plant cultivated for
its fruit and essential oil. It is mostly grown in Java and
Sumatra, hence sometimes called Java pepper. It is a perennial
plant, with a climbing stem, round branches, about as thick as a
goose-quill, ash-colored, and rooting at the joints. The leaves are
from 4-6.5 inches long, 1.5-2 inches broad, ovate-oblong, long
pointed, and very smooth. Flowers are arranged in narrow spikes at
the end of the branches. Fruit, a berry rather longer than that of
black pepper. Tailed pepper is native to SE Asia, introduced in
India by Arabian traders.Medicinal uses: Sanskrit texts included
cubeb in various remedies. Charaka and Sushruta prescribed a cubeb
paste as a mouthwash, and the use of dried cubebs internally for
oral and dental diseases, loss of voice, halitosis, fevers, and
cough. Unani physicians use a paste of the cubeb berries externally
on male and female genitals to intensify sexual pleasure during
coitus. Due to this attributed property, cubeb was called
"Habb-ul-Uruus". Identification credit: Vijayadas D. Photographed
in Sohra Forest, Meghalaya. Tell a friend about this flower! Common
name: Willow-Leaved Water Croton Hindi: Sherni Marathi: raan kaner,
sherni Tamil: kattalari Malayalam: neervanchi, puzhavanchi Telugu:
ccD n- _oa Adavi ganneru Kannada: hole nage, Niru kanigalu Oriya:
thotthori Assamese: Hil-kadam, Tuipui-sulhla Khasi: Jalangmynrei
Sanskrit: Jalavetasa, KshudrapashanabhedaBotanical name: Homonoia
ripariaFamily: Euphorbiaceae (Castor family) Synonyms: Adelia
neriifolia Willow-Leaved Water Croton is a plant commonly found
growing along small streams at low and medium altitudes, on banks,
and in streambeds. It is a shrub growing to 1-3 m tall. The leaves
are linear-lanceshaped, 12-20 cm long, and 1.5-2 cm wide. Upper
surface of the leaves is green and shining, and the lower surface
brown and hairy. Reddish flowers are born in spikes 5-10 cm long,
with obovate bracts, 1.5-2 mm long. Male flowers have 0.2 mm long
stalks, 3 velvety sepals, 3-4 mm long. Female flowers have 5 oblong
sepals, with tapering tips, about 1-2 mm long. The capsules are
about 8 mm in diameter, hairy, and borne on solitary, hairy spikes,
5-12 cm long, in leaf axils.Medicinal uses: A decoction of the root
is a laxative and diuretic and is used in piles, stone in the
bladder, gonorrhea, syphilis and thirst. Identification credit:
Dinesh Valke Photographed at banks of river Koyna near Shirgaon,
Maharashtra. Tell a friend about this flower! Common name:
Shikakai, Soap-pod Hindi: Kochi, Reetha, Shikakai Marathi: Reetha
Tamil: Shika, Sheekay, Chikaikkai Malayalam: Cheeyakayi,
Chinik-kaya, Shikai, Cheenikka Telugu: Cheekaya, Chikaya, Gogu
Kannada: Sheegae, Shige kayi, Sigeballi Oriya: Vimala Urdu:
Shikakai Assamese: Amsikira, Kachuai, Pasoi tenga, Suse lewa
Sanskrit: Bahuphenarasa, Bhuriphena, Charmakansa, Charmakasa,
PhenilaBotanical name: Acacia concinnaFamily: Mimosaceae
(Touch-me-not family) Synonyms: Acacia hooperiana, Acacia sinuata,
Mimosa concinna Shikakai is a climbing, most well-known for the
natural shampoo derived from its fruit. Thorny branches have brown
smooth stripes - thorns are short, broad-based, flattened. Leaves
with caducous stipules not thorn-like. Leaf stalks are 1-1.5 cm
long with a prominent gland about the middle. Leaves are
double-pinnate, with 5-7 pairs of pinnae, the primary rachis being
thorny, velvety. Each pinnae has 12-18 pairs of leaflets, which are
oblong-lanceshaped, 3-10 mm long, pointed, obliquely rounded at
base. Inflorescences is a cluster of 2 or 3 stalked rounded
flower-heads in axils of upper reduced leaves, appearing
paniculate. Stalk carrying the cluster is 1-2.5 cm long, velvety.
Flower-heads about 1 cm in diameter when mature. Flowers are pink,
without or with reduced subtending bracts. Pods are thick, somewhat
flattened, stalked, 8 cm long, 1.5-1.8 cm wide.Medicinal uses:
Shikakai is a commonly used herb that has many remedial qualities.
It is popularly referred as "fruit for the hair" as it has a
naturally mild pH, that gently cleans the hair without stripping it
of natural oils. Shikakai is used to control dandruff, promoting
hair growth and strengthening hair roots. Its leaves are used in
malarial fever, decoction of the pods are used to relieve
biliousness and acts as a purgative. An ointment, prepared from the
ground pods, is good for skin diseases. Identification credit:
Pravin Kawale Photographed in Alibag, Maharashtra. ative Photo:
Tabish Common name: Indian rosewood, Shisham (Hindi), Sissu
(Manipuri), Sitral (Bengali)Botanical name: Dalbergia sissooFamily:
Fabaceae (pea family) Shisham is a medium to large deciduous tree,
native to India, with a light crown which reproduces by seeds and
suckers. It can grow up to a maximum of 25 m in height and 2 to 3 m
in diameter, but is usually smaller. Trunks are often crooked when
grown in the open. Leaves are leathery, alternate, pinnately
compound and about 15 cm long. Flowers are whitish to pink,
fragrant, nearly sessile, up to 1.5 cm long and in dense clusters
5-10 cm in length. Pods are oblong, flat, thin, strap-like 4-8 cm
long, 1 cm wide, and light brown. They contain 1-5 flat bean-shaped
seeds 8-10 mm long. They have a long taproot and numerous surface
roots which produce suckers. It is primarily found growing along
river banks below 900 m elevation, but can range naturally up to
1300 m. Shisham is best known internationally as a premier timber
species of the rosewood genus. However, Shisham is also an
important fuel wood, shade, and shelter. With its multiple
products, tolerance of light frosts and long dry seasons, this
species deserves greater consideration for tree farming,
reforestation and agro forestry applications. After teak, it is the
most important cultivated timber tree in India, planted on
roadsides, and as a shade tree for tea plantations.Medicinal uses:
Decoction of leaves is useful in gonorrhoea. Root is astringent.
Wood is alterative, useful in leprosy, boils, eruptions and to
allay vomiting.Photographed in Delhi ative Photo: Thingnam Girija
Common name: Milk and Wine Lily, Ceylon swamplily, Pink striped
trumpet lily Hindi: Sudarshan Marathi: Gandani-kanda,
Gadambhikanda, Golkamdo Tamil: Vishamungil Kannada: Vish mungli
Bengali: Sukhdarshan Konkani: Golkando Sanskrit: Madhuparnika,
VrishakarniBotanical name: Crinum latifoliumFamily: Amaryllidaceae
(Nargis family) Synonyms: Crinum zeylanicum This old fashioned
crinum lily is a low maintence plant that produces lovely, large,
striped, lily-like flowers. The stripes are alternately wine pink
and white. The flowers also have a wonderful faintly sweet
fragrance. The tall bloom stalk stands about 18-24 inches above the
abundant foilage and hold 5+ blooms at a time! These will produce
several flower stalks during the warmer months with the majority of
blooms coming in the spring and fall. These lilies will multiply by
producing bulbs underground as well as from the seeds that form
after the blooms. You'll have a lovely large group of these in no
time. Milk and Wine Lily is native to India. Flowering:
June-August.Medicinal uses: Bulbs are extremely acrid. When
roasted, they are used as a rubefacient in rheumatism. Crushed and
toasted bulb is applied to piles and abscesses to cause
suppuration. The juice of the leaf is used in earache. Photographed
in Delhi Tell a friend about this flower! aturalized Photo:
Gurcharan Singh Common name: Mexican Tea, Epazote, Wormseed,
Jesuit's Tea, Herba Sancti Mari Hindi: Sugandha-vastooka Kannada:
guddada voma, huli voma, kaadu voma, Manipuri: Monshaobi-manbi
Marathi: Chandanbatva Mizo: BuarchhimtirBotanical name: Dysphania
ambrosioidesFamily: Chenopodiaceae (Cat tail family) Synonyms:
Chenopodium ambrosioides Mexican Tea is an annual or short-lived
perennial herb, growing up to 1.2 m tall. The plant is irregularly
branched, with oblong-lanceshaped leaves up to 12 cm long. Flowers
are small and green, produced in a branched panicle at the tip of
the stem. It is grown in warm temperate to subtropical areas world
over, sometimes becoming an invasive weed. Tell a friend about this
flower! Common name: Fragrant Swamp Mallow, Pavonia, Fragrant
Pavonia Hindi: Sugandhabala Marathi: Sugandhabala, Kalavala Tamil:
Peramutti, Avibattam Malayalam: Iruveli, Kuruntotti Telugu:
Chittibenda, Ettakuti Kannada: Balarakshi gida Gujarati: Kalowalo
Sanskrit: Udichya, Varinamaka, Hribera, ValakaBotanical name:
Pavonia odorataFamily: Malvaceae (Mallow family) Fragrant Swamp
Mallow is an erect perennial herb,covered with sticky hairs. Leaves
are heart-shaped-ovate, 3-5 angled or 3-5 lobed, 4-6 cm long, 5-7
cm broad. Flowers arise singly in leaf axils, or fascicled at the
end of branches. Bracts are 10-12 in number, linear, and sepals are
5. Flowers are pink, twice longer than the sepal cup. Fruit is
spherical and mericarps smooth, wingless. Fragrant Swamp Mallow is
found in India, Pakistan, Burma, Srilanka and East Tropical
Africa.
Tell a friend about this flower! Common name: Takoli Hindi:
Takoli Telugu: Nagulapachari Assamese: Meda-luwa Malayalam:
Mannavitti Tamil: Erigai Marathi: Dandus Oriya: Dodilo Rajasthani:
parbati Urdu: DandousBotanical name: Dalbergia lanceolaria ssp.
lanceolariaFamily: Fabaceae (pea family) Takoli is a very
conspicuous and handsome tree when flowering, which appear very
protusely during the months of May and June. Large tree with smooth
bark, branches glabrous. Leaf compound 7.0-15.0 cm long; leaflets
11-17, 2.5-5.0 cm long, ovate or obovate or elliptic, often
emarginate, glabrous, glaucous. Inflorescence large axillary or
terminal panicles flowers unilaterally arranged. Calyx silky
pubescent, upper teeth obtuse, lower 3 longer and acute. Flower
tube dull white or pinkish. Vexillum c. 5-10 mm long. Stamens 10,
in 2 groups of 5 stamens each. Fruit c. 5-8 cm long, narrowed at
both ends, glabrous, usually 1-seeded. Tell a friend about this
flower! Common name: Coffee Plum, Indian cherry, Indian plum,
rukam, runeala plum Hindi: Talispatri, Paniala, Pani amla Manipuri:
(*(l7 Heitroi Marathi: Champeran Tamil: Vaiyyankarai Malayalam:
Vayyamkaitha Telugu: Kuragayi Kannada: Chankali, Goraji Bengali:
Paniala Oriya: Baincha Konkani: Jagam Assamese: ^A^l Ponial
Gujarati: Talispatra Sanskrit: Sruvavrkash, VikankatahBotanical
name: Flacourtia jangomasFamily: Flacourtiaceae (Coffee Plum
family) Synonyms: Stigmarota jangomas, Flacourtia cataphrata Coffee
Plum is small, deciduous tree, growing to 6-10 m tall. Trunk and
branches are commonly thornless in old trees, but densely beset
with simple or branched, woody thorns when younger. Bark is
light-brown to copper-red or pinkish-buff, flaky. Young branches
white-dotted by numerous circular lenticels. Leaves narrow-ovate to
ovate-oblong, rarely ovate-lancelike, long-obtuse-acuminate, base
broadly wedge-shped to rounded. Leaves are smooth, shining above,
mostly dull beneath, somewhat toothed, 7-10 X 3-4 cm. Leaf stalk is
6-8 mm long. Flowers arise in few flowered clusters in leaf axils.
Flowers smell of honey, and looks like small yellowish-white balls
of stamens. Male and female flowers are different and are on
different trees. Coffee plum is a rounded red to dark purple fruit,
that is about an inch wide. It is edible, and is relatively juicy.
It can be eaten raw, or transformed into juice or marmalades.
Flowering: April-May.Medicinal uses: The fruits and leaves are used
against diarrhea. Dried leaves are used for bronchitis. Roots
against toothache. Identification credit: Thingnam Sophia
Photographed in Imphal, Manipur. Tell a friend about this flower!
ative Photo: Thomas Kornack Common name: Dwarf Rhododendron, Talis
(Hindi), Talisri (Hindi)Botanical name: Rhododendron
anthopogonFamily: Ericaceae (Rhododendron family) This is probably
one of the smallest of rhododendrons. Grows to no more that 2-3 ft
high. The white or yellow flowers, tinged with pink, grow in small
compact clusters of 4-6 and each flower is 2 cm across. The dark
green oval leaves are strongly aromatic and densely scaly
underneath. The leaves are mixed with Juniper and used as incense
in Buddhist monastries as well as in Hindu religious
ceremonies.Medicinal uses: In Nepal, Dwarf Rhododendron is used in
making an essential oil. Anthopogon oil, as it is usually referred
to in Nepal, is obtained by steam distillation of the aerial part
of this shrub. It is a fluid liquid of pale yellow colour and
sweet-herbal, faintly balsamic aroma. Rhododendron can be used in
gouty rheumatic conditions. Tell a friend about this flower! ative
Photo: Pravin Kawale Common name: Tanner's Cassia Hindi: Tarwar
Marathi: Tarwad Kannada: Tangedi Telugu: Tagedu Tamil: Avaram
Gujarati: Awala Malayalam: AvaramBotanical name: Senna
auriculataFamily: Caesalpiniaceae (Gulmohar family) Synonyms:
Cassia auriculata Tanner's Cassia is a branched shrub, growing upto
1-1.5 m high. It has a smooth reddish brown bark. It has many
ascending branches and 8-10 cm long pinnate leaves. There are 8-12
pairs of leaflets, each 2-3 cm long. Bright yellow flowers appear
in recemes at the end of branches. The flowers are 4-5 cm across.
Upper three stamens are reduced to stamenoides. Fruit is a 7-12 cm
long, flat brown pod.Medicinal uses: In Ayurveda, the root of this
plant is used in a decoction for fevers, diabetes, diseases of the
urinary system and constipation. The leaves have laxative
properties. The dried flower and flower buds are used as substitute
Tell a friend about this flower! aturalized Photo: Dinesh Valke
Common name: Siam Weed, Bitter bush, Devilweed, Hagonoy, Jack in
the bush, Triffid weed Hindi: Tivra gandha, Bagh dhoka Malayalam:
2_G1@ _ Communist Pacha, VenapachaBotanical name: Chromolaena
odorataFamily: Asteraceae (Sunflower family) Synonyms: Eupatorium
odoratum Siam Weed is a big bushy herb or subshrub with long
rambling (but not twining branches. In open areas it spreads into
tangled, dense thickets up to 2 m tall, and higher when climbing up
vegetation. Many paired branches grow off the main stem. The base
of the plant becomes hard and woody while the branch tips are soft
and green. The leaves are arrowhead-shaped, 512 cm long and 37 cm
wide, with three characteristic veins in a pitchfork pattern. They
grow in opposite pairs along the stems and branches. As the species
name odorata suggests, the leaves emit a pungent odour when
crushed. Clusters of 1035 pale pinkmauve or white tubular flowers,
10 mm long, are found at the ends of branches. The seeds are dark
coloured, 45 mm long, narrow and oblong, with a parachute of white
hairs which turn brown as the seed dries. Siam weed is native to
Tropical America, but is now naturalized throughout the
tropics.Medicinal uses: It is used as a traditional medicine in
Indonesia. The young leaves are crushed, and the resulting liquid
can be used to treat skin wounds. Identification credit: S. Basu
& Eby Abraham Photographed in Maharashtra & Delhi. Tell a
friend about this flower! Common name: Winged Prickly Ash, Prickly
ash, Tumbru, Toothache Tree, Tejbal, Yellow wood, Suterberry Hindi:
Tejphal, Darmar, Tumru, Timroo, Trimal Manipuri: Mukthrubi Tamil:
Timur Telugu: Konda-Kasimi Kannada:JimmiBotanical name: Zanthoxylum
armatumFamily: Rutaceae (Citrus family) Synonyms: Zanthoxylum
alatum Winged Prickly Ash is a small tree or large spiny shrub.
Leaves are distinctlively trifoliolate, with the leaf-stalk winged.
Leaflets are stalkless, 2-7.5 x 1-1.7 cm, elliptic to
ovate-lancelike, entire to slightly toothed, sharp-tipped, base
sometimes oblique. Minute yellow flowers arise in leaf axils.
Flowers have 6-8 acute sepals. Petals are absent. Male flowers have
6-8 stamens, and large anthers because of which the flowers look
yellow. Female flowers have 1-3 celled ovary, 3 mm in diameter,
pale red, splitting into two when ripe. Seed are rounded, 3 mm in
diameter, shining black. Flowering: March-April.Medicinal uses:
Prickly Ash is used in many chronic problems such a rheumatism and
skin diseases; chilblains, cramp in the leg, varicose veins and
varicose ulcers. It is also used for low blood pressure, fever, and
inflammation. Externally it may be used as a stimulation liniment
for rheumatism and fibrositis. It has a stimulating effect upon the
lymphatic system, circulation and mucous membranes. Photographed in
Imphal, Manipur. Tell a friend about this flower! ative Photo:
Sobhapati Samom Common name: East Indian Arrowroot, Bombay
arrowroot Hindi: Tikhur Bengali: Keturi halodhi Manipuri:Yaipan
Marathi: Tavakeera, Tavakhira, Tavakila Malayalam: Koova,
Kuva-kizhanna Tamil: Ararutkilangu, Kua, Ararut-kizhangu Kannadai:
Koove-hittu Telugu: Ararut-gaddalu Sanskrit: TavakshiraBotanical
name: Curcuma angustifoliaFamily: Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)
East Indian Arrowroot is an attractive ginger with stout
underground rhizomes which lie dormant in winters. In early spring
the flowers are produced before the leaves. Very colourful bracts
make this a showy species. The shape and colour of the bracts are
very variable. The inflorescence lasts in full bloom on the plants
for about three weeks and more. Good for cut flower use with a vase
life of 10 days and more for fresh cut blooms. Leaves grow to about
2ft tall and die down in autumn. This species is found in the
Eastern Himalays and inhabits bright open hillsides and woods. In
Manipur, pakodasmade using these flowers, are considered a
delicacy.Medicinal uses: East Indian Arrowroot is recognized as a
medical herb. It is nutritive, and is used as an agreeable,
non-irritating diet in certain chronic diseases, during
convalescence from fevers, in irritations of the alimentary canal,
pulmonary organs, or of the urinary apparatus, and is well suited
for infants to supply the place of breast-milk, or for a short time
after having weaned them. It may be given in the form of jelly,
variously seasoned with sugar, lemon-juice, fruit jellies,
essences, or aromatics. Its jelly has no peculiar taste, and is
less liable to become acid in the stomach, and is generally
preferred by young infants to all others, except tapioca.
Identification credit: Basantarani Photographed in Manipur Tell a
friend about this flower! Common name: Triangular Spurge, Square
Spurge, Square milk hedge, Fleshy spurge Hindi: Tridhara,
Vajrakantaka Manipuri:Tengnou Marathi: Narasya Tamil: chaturakalli,
kalli, Kantiravam, Kodiravam, Tiruvargalli Malayalam: Chaturakkalli
Telugu: t'c_ c:c: bommajemudu, t'ooc:c: bontha jemudu, bontha kl
Kannada: Kontekalli, Jadekalli, Mundukalli Bengali: Tiktasij
Konkani: Tirikon Sanskrit: snuhu, VajrakantakaBotanical name:
Euphorbia antiquorumFamily: Euphorbiaceae (Castor family)
Triangular Spurge is a small succulent tree, usually shrub-like,
with plentiful white sap. Wide spread throughout peninsular India,
it can be found growing up to an altitude of 800 m. One of the
largest armed tree Euphorbias with an average height of 5-7 m, it
has been known to attain gigantic proportions if left undisturbed.
Older stems cylindrical, with brownish bark; younger branches
smooth, green, distinctly 3(-4)-angled, distinctly articulate with
the segments 6-30 by 2-5 cm, drying greenish, with shallow to
hardly narrowed sinuses between the spine-shields. Spine-shields in
rows, shallow, 1.5-2 cm apart, spines in pairs, (3-)4-6 mm long,
blackish, persistent. The flower structures are called cyathia.
Cyathium is an inflorescence consisting of a cuplike cluster of
modified leaves enclosing a female flower and several male flowers.
Yellow cyathia can be in triads or 3-4 individual together. They
are full of honey that attract bees. Seed capsules turn deep red on
maturity. The odour of its latex is pungent and lingering. Easily
propagated from seed or vegetatively, this Euphorbia is common in
collections and easy to grow.Medicinal uses: Juice of the plant is
useful in chest pain and constipation. Latex is applied to boils
for early suppuration and healing. Root bark is purgative. Latex is
useful in killing maggots of wounds. Saline extract of the plant is
antibiotic.Identification credit: Hemanth Tripathi Photographed in
Malavali, Maharashtra. Tell a friend about this flower! Common
name: Red Clover, Purple clover, Broad-leaved clover Hindi:
TripatraBotanical name: Trifolium pratenseFamily: Fabaceae (Pea
family) Red Clover is a species of clover, native to Europe,
western Asia and northwest Africa. It can be easily distinguished
from its close cousin White Clover by its much larger plant, with
distinctly pink blooms. It is a herbaceous perennial plant, very
variable in size, growing to more than 2 feet tall. The leaves are
trifoliate (with three leaflets), each leaflet 15-30 mm long and
8-15 mm broad, green with a characteristic pale crescent in the
outer half of the leaf; the petiole is 1-4 cm long, with two basal
stipules. The flowers are dark pink with a paler base, 12-15 mm
long, produced in a dense inflorescence 2-3 cm diameter. The plant
was named Trifolium pratense by Carolus Linnaeus in 1753. The
botanical name pratense is Latin for "found in meadows", which is
very much true. It is the national flower of Denmark.Medicinal
uses: A tea from the flower has long been considered an
antispasmodic and mild sedative and has been used for various lung
and throat problem such as sore throats, coughs and asthma. The
flowers were once smoked as an asthma treatment. Externally it is
used as a salve for burns and sores. There seems to be no
scientific evidence to support medical uses of Clover, but, being
edible it probably can't hurt unless it is used instead of more
effective treatments. Photographed in Kufri, Himachal Pradesh.
ative Photo: Lalita Khobarekar Common name: Blue Fox Tail, Blue
Justicia Bengali: Neel Kantha Hindi: udajati Kannada: kappubobbuli,
kappukuruni Malayalam: karinkurinni, kuranta Marathi: dhakta
adulsa, Ranaboli. Ekboli Sanskrit: nila-sahacharah Tamil: Nilambari
Telugu: chikatiquratappa, nakkatokaBotanical name: Ecbolium
linneanumFamily: Acanthaceae (Ruellia family) Synonyms: Justicia
ecbolia Blue Fox Tail is a shrubby plant, with 4-sided
flower-spikes at the end of branches. Bracts are oval, entire,
mucronate. Leaves are elliptic-oblong, narrowed at both ends,
velvety. Flowers are large, greenish blue. Upper lip of the flower
is linear, reflexed. Blue Fox Tail is found in Mumbai and Konkan
region.Medicinal uses: Plant is used in gout and dysuria; decoction
of leaves for stricture. Roots are given in jaundice, menorrhagia
and rheumatism. Photographed in Vile Parle, Mumbai. Tell a friend
about this flower! ative Photo: Tabish Common name: Pergularia
Hindi: Utaran, Sagovani, Aakasan, Gadaria Ki bel, Jutak Marathi:
Utarn Tamil: Uttamani, Seendhal kodi Malayalam: Veliparatti Telugu:
Dustapuchettu, Jittupaku Kannada: Halokoratige, Juttuve,
Talavaranaballi, Bileehatthi balli Bengali: Chagalbati, Ajashringi
Oriya: Utrali Sanskrit: Uttamarani, Kurutakah, Visanika,
KakajanghaBotanical name: Pergularia daemiaFamily: Asclepiadaceae
(Milkweed family) Synonyms: Asclepias daemia, Daemia extensa,
Cynanchum extensum Pergularia is a perennial twining herb,
foul-smelling when bruised and with much milky juice, stem hairy.
Leaves are thin, broadly ovate, heart-shaped or nearly circular,
hairless above, velvety beneath. Greenish yellow or dull white, and
sweet-scented flowers are borne in lateral cymes which are at first
corymb-like, afterwards raceme-like. The five petals are hairy and
spreading outwards. Corona outer and inner, outer truncate, inner
curved high over the staminal column, spur acute. Fruit is a
follicle, with soft spines all over and a long beak. Seeds are
densely velvety on both sides. Flowering: August-February.Medicinal
uses: Pergularia has been used in folk medicine for the treatment
of liver disorders. Identification credit: Nandan Kalbag
Photographed in Lodhi Garden & Garden of Five Senses, Delhi.
ative Photo: Shaista Ahmad Common name: Porcupine flower, Barleria
Hindi: Vajradanti Tamil: Kundan Kannada: Mullu goranti Malayalam:
Kuttivetila Gujarati: PilikantashelioBotanical name: Barleria
prionitisFamily: Acanthaceae (ruellia family) Porcupine flower is
an erect, prickly shrub, usually single-stemmed, growing to about
1.5 m tall. The stems and branches are stiff and smooth and light
brown to light grey in colour. The leaves are up to 100 mm long and
40 mm wide, and oval-shaped though narrow at both ends (ellipsoid)
The base of the leaves is protected by three to five sharp, pale
coloured spines, 10-20 mm long. The yellow-orange tubular flowers
are found bunched tightly together at the top of the plant, but
they also occur singly at the base of leaves. The flowers are 40 mm
long and tubular, with several long protruding stamens. The seed
capsule is oval-shaped and 13-20 mm long, with a sharp pointed
beak. It contains two fairly large, flat seeds, typically 8 mm long
by 5 mm wide, covered with matted hairs. Barleria has a central tap
root, with lateral roots branching off in all directions.Medicinal
uses: It has numerous medicinal properties including treating
fever, respiratory diseases, toothache, joint pains and a variety
of other ailments; and it has several cosmetic uses. A mouthwash
made from root tissue is used to relieve toothache and treat
bleeding gums. The whole plant, leaves, and roots are used for a
variety of purposes in traditional Indian medicine. For example,
the leaves are used to promote healing of wounds and to relieve
joint pains and toothache. Because of its antiseptic properties,
extracts of the plant are incorporated into herbal cosmetics and
hair products to promote skin and scalp health. Identification
credit: Thingnam Sophia Photographed in Delhi Tell a friend about
this flower! ative Photo: Tabish Common name: Garlic pear tree,
Caper tree, Three-leaf caper, Obtuse Leaf Crateva Hindi: Barna,
Barni , Manipuri:Loiyumba lei Tamil: Marvilinga Bengali: Barun
Sanskrit: Varuna Malayalam: Nir mathalam Kannada: Nirvala Telugu:
VoolemaraBotanical name: Crataeva adansonii subsp. odoraFamily:
Capparaceae (caper family) A moderate sized deciduous tree found
throughout India, especially along the river banks. Bark grey,
smooth horizontally wrinkled. Leaves trifoliate. Flowers white, or
cream in many flowered terminal corymbs. The bark is grey, and the
wood is yellowish-white, turning light-brown when old. The leaves
are clustered at the ends of branchlets, with a common petiole 5 to
10 centimeters long, at the summit of which are tree leaflets. The
leaflets are ovate-lanceolate or ovate, 7.5 to 12 centimeters long,
4 to 6 centimeters wide, and pointed at the base, with a rather
slender point at the tip. The flowers occur in terminal corymbs,
are about 5 centimeters in diameter, greenish-yellow, and the
stamens are purplish. The petals are ovate or oblong, with the claw
half as long as limb. The fruit is ovoid or rounded, and 3 to 5
centimeters in diameters, with hard and rough rind. The seeds are
about 10 centimeters in length, numerous, kidney-shaped, and
embedded in a yellow pulp.Medicinal uses: It is used in Indian
Ayurvedic medicine. It has anti-inflammatory, diuretic,
lithontriptic, demulcent and tonic properties. Bark yields ceryl
alcohol, friedelin, lupeol, betulinic acid and diosgenin. It is
useful in disorders of urinary organs, urinary tract infections,
pain and burning micturition, renal and vesical calculi. A postal
stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate
this tree. Identification credit: Rita Singh Photographed in Delhi.
Tell a friend about this flower! Common name: Indian kudzu,
Nepalese kudzu Hindi: Sural, Bilaikand, Bharda, Tirra, Bankumra
Bengali: Shimia batraji Marathi: Ghorbel Gujarati: Vidarikand
Telugu: Darigummadi Kannada: Gumadigida Malayalam: Mutukku
Sanskrit: Bhukushmandi
Botanical name: Pueraria tuberosa Family: Fabaceae (pea family)
Synonyms: Hedysarum tuberosum Indian kudzu is a large perennial
climber with very large tuberous roots, distributed nearly
throughout India, except in very humid or very arid regions, and
ascending up to l,200 m. Woody stems grow up to 12 cm in diameter.
Leaves are divided into 3 leaflets. The leaflets are egg-shaped,
with round base and unequal sides. They are 18 cm long and 16 cm
wide and are hairless above. Flowers blue or purplish blue, in
15-30 cm long racemes. Pods are flat and 5-7 cm long, densely
clothed with long, silky, bristly brown hairs; seeds 3-6.Medicinal
uses: In Ayurveda, this herb is used as a general tonic, for
headaches, and as a aphrodisiac. The roots are said to be used in
medicine as a demulcent and refrigent in fevers, as cataplasm for
swelling of joints, and as lactagogue. It is also emetic,
galactogogue and tonic. Now a days it is used in preparing sexual
potency enhancement pills. Identification credit: Pravin Kawale
Photographed in Alibag, Maharashtra Tell a friend about this
flower! Common name: West Indian Indigo, anil, small-leaved indigo,
Guatemalan indigo, wild indigo Hindi: vilayati nil Marathi: nilambi
Tamil: chimai-nili Sanskrit: nilika, nilini, vishashodhaniBotanical
name: Indigofera suffruticosaFamily: Fabaceae (Pea family)
Synonyms: Indigofera anil West Indian Indigo is an erect, branched,
half-woody shrub, growing to 1 m tall. The stems are sparsely
covered with short hairs. The leaves are 5-8 cm long. The leaflets
are 9-11, oblong to oblong-elliptic, 1-2 cm long, pale, and hairy
beneath. The flowers are red, about 5 mm long, and borne on
axillary and solitary racemes 2-3 cm long. The pods are numerous,
crowded, reflexed, strongly curved, and 1-1.5 cm long, and contain
6-8 seeds. This species is one of the sources of natural indigo,
and along with Indigifolera tinctoria, represents the chief
commercial indigo. It is cultivated as green manure in Malaya and
Java. It is used as a perennial cover crop for coffee. West Indian
Indigo is a native of Tropical America, but widely naturalized in
India.Medicinal uses: In Brazil, West Indian Indigo is one of the
reputed remedies for snake bites, and in the United States it is
often applied to the stings of bees and other insects. In Mexico,
the leaves as a cataplasm or in decoction are applied to the
forehead of children with fever and to any painful area. The seeds
in powder form are a cure for ulcers. Identification credit: Dinesh
Valke Photographed at Vaghbil, Thane, Maharashtra. Tell a friend
about this flower! Common name: Glory Bower, Indian privet, Seaside
clerodendrum, Wild Jasmine, Sorcerers Bush Hindi: chhoti-ari,
sankuppi, sangan-kuppi, vilayati mehendi, batraj Marathi: sangam,
vanajai, sirit-mari Tamil: Sangam, Peechangu, Anjali Malayalam:
nirnochi, shangam-kuppi Telugu: erup-pichha, pisangi, pishinika,
takkolapu-chettu Kannada: naitakkilay, itteru, kundali gida, naayi
tekkake, thakkalika Bengali:Banajai Oriya: v Vanajai Urdu:
Guldamdam Sanskrit: KundaliBotanical name: Clerodendrum
inermeFamily: Verbenaceae (Verbena family) Synonyms: Volkameria
inermis Glory bower is a much branched, straggling shrub, 1-2 m
tall. Terminal branches very often twining slender, twigy, dark
green and form dense bush on the river banks and river slopes.
Leaves ovate to elliptical, 5-10 cm long, acute to acuminate tip,
green, smooth, slightly shiny upper surface, margins entire, leaves
opposite, simple. Cymes or umbels usually comprised of 3 flowers
joined at a common base point. White flowers with a 3.5-5.5 cm long
narrow tube ending in 5 petals. Four purple stamens, 1.5-3 cm long,
protrude out of the flower. The plant is tough - akes trimming
well, and hence, is commonly used as a hedge plant in India. It
also grows well on the beach, tolerating all the salty water
sprays. Within India, it is found throughout particularly near
coastal regions. Flowering: November-January. Identification
credit: Radhika VathsanPhotographed in Delhi. Tell a friend about
this flower! aturalized Photo: Kiran Srivastava Common name: Dwarf
Morning Glory, Slender Dwarf Morning Glory Hindi: Visnukrantha,
Shyamakrantha Marathi: Vishnukranta Tamil: Vishnukranthi Malayalam:
Vishnukranthi Telugu: Vishnukrantha Kannada: Vishnykranti Sanskrit:
VishnugandhiBotanical name: Evolvulus alsinoidesFamily:
Convolvulaceae (Morning glory family) Synonyms: Convolvulus
alsinoides This is a very slender, more or less branched, spreading
or ascending, usually extremely hairy herb. The stems are 20 to 70
centimeters long, and not twining. The leaves, which are densely
clothed with appressed, white, and silky hairs, are variable
clothed, lanceolate to ovate, and usually 0.5 to 1 centimeter in
length (but may be larger); the apex is blunt with a little point
and the base is pointed. The flowers are pale blue and 6-8 mm in
diameter. The fruit (capsule) is rounded, and usually contains 4
seeds. Dwarf Morning Glory is native to the South America, and is
widely naturalized all over the world, including India.Medicinal
uses: The whole plant is used in the Goa territory. It is used
extensively as a febrifuge and tonic. With cumin and milk it is
used for fevers nervous debility, and loss of memory; also for
syphilis, scrofula, etc. it is said to be a sovereign remedy for
bowel complaints, especially dysentery. Identification credit:
Pravin Kawale Photographed in Maharashtra & Delhi. Tell a
friend about this flower! ative Photo: Pravir Deshmukh Common name:
Coltsfoot Garo: Kothamari, Kulamari Hindi: WatpanBotanical name:
Tussilago farfaraFamily: Asteraceae (Sunflower family) Coltsfoot is
a perennial herb propagating by seeds and rhizomes. It is often
found in colonies of dozens of plants. The flowers, which
superficially resemble dandelions, appear in early spring before
dandelions appear. The leaves, which resemble a colt's foot in
cross section, do not appear usually until after the seeds are set.
Thus, the flowers appear on stems with no apparent leaves, and the
later appearing leaves then wither and die during the season
without seeming to set flowers. The plant is typically 10-30 cm
tall. Coltsfoot is found in the Himalayas at altitudes of 2800-3800
m.Medicinal uses: Coltsfoot has been used medicinally as a cough
suppressant. The name tussilago itself means "cough suppressant."
The plant has been used historically to treat lung ailments such as
asthma as well as various coughs by way of smoking. Crushed flowers
supposedly cured skin conditions, and the plant has been consumed
as a food product. Identification credit: Pravir Deshmukh
Photographed in Lahul Valley, Himachal Pradesh. Tell a friend about
this flower! Common name: Kumarika Hindi: Kumarika, Jangli aushbah,
Bhitura Mizo: Kaitha Marathi: Ghotvel Tamil: ayadi, malaittamarai,
tirunamappalai, kal tamarai Malayalam: kaltamara, karivilanti
Telugu: Kondadantena Kannada: kaadu hambu, kaadu hambu thaavare
Bengali: Kumarika Oriya: mootrilata Sanskrit:
VanamadhusnahiBotanical name: Smilax ovalifoliaFamily: Liliaceae
(Lily family) Synonyms: Smilax macrophylla, Smilax zeylanica
Kumarika is an armed or unarmed climber. Leaves leathery, shining,
7-15 x 4-11 cm, broadly ovate to elliptic, base rounded or shortly
wedge-shaped; 3-5-nerved. Leaf stalk 1.5 cm long, base sheathing,
with tendrils at the end. Flowers white, in dense umbels in leaf
axils, 1-3 on a common peduncle. Bracts ovate. Perianth recurved in
mature flowers, outer 3 segments, 4 mm long, oblong, inner
narrower. Stamens about as long as the perianth. It is found from
the Himalayan region in the north to Peninsular India. Flowering:
January-April.Medicinal uses: The roots of Kumarika are used for
veneral diseases. Also applied in rheumatic swellings and given in
urinary complaints and dysentery. Identification credit: Prashant
Awale Photographed at Tungi, Lonavala, Maharashtra. Tell a friend
about this flower! Common name: Wild Guava, Ceylon Oak, Patana Oak
Hindi: Kumbhi Marathi: Kumbha Tamil: Aima, Karekku,
Puta-tanni-maram Malayalam: Alam, Paer, Peelam, Pela Telugu: araya,
budatadadimma, budatanevadi, buddaburija Kannada: alagavvele,
daddal Bengali: Vakamba, Kumhi, Kumbhi Oriya: Kumbh Khasi: Ka
Mahir, Soh Kundur Assamese: Godhajam,Kum, kumari,kumbhi Sanskrit:
Bhadrendrani, Girikarnika, Kaidarya, KalindiBotanical name: Careya
arboreaFamily: Lecythidaceae (Brazilnut Family) Wild Guava is a
medium sized deciduous tree, up to 20 m tall, the leaves of which
turn red in the cold season. It is the Kumbhi of Sanskrit writers,
and appear to have been so named on account of the hollow on the
top of the fruit giving it somewhat the appearance of a water-pot.
Wild pigs are very fond of the bark, and that it is used by hunters
to attract them. An astringent gum exudes from the fruit and stem,
and the bark is made into coarse cordage. The Tamil name
Puta-tanni-maram signifies water- bark-tree, in allusion to the
exudation trickling down the bark in dry weather. Bark surface
flaking in thin strips, fissured, dark grey; crown spreading.
Leaves arranged spirally, often clustered at the apices of twigs,
simple, broadly obovate, tapering at base, margin toothed, stipules
small, caducous. Flowers in an erect raceme at the end of branches.
Flowers are large, white. Sepals are 4, petals 4, free. Stamens are
many, connate at base; disk annular; ovary inferior, 4-5-locular
with many ovules in 2 rows per cell, style 1. Fruit a large,
many-seeded drupe, globose to depressed globose, crowned by the
persistent sepals. Seedling with hypogeal germination; cotyledons
absent (seed containing a swollen hypocotyl); shoot with scales at
the first few nodes.Medicinal uses: The bark of the tree and the
sepals of the flowers are well-known Indian remedies, and are
valued on account of their astringent and mucilaginous properties,
being administered internally in coughs and colds and applied
externally as an embrocation. Identification credit: Nandan Kalbag
Photographed in Goa. Tell a friend about this flower! ntroduced
Photo: Sobhapati Samom Common name: Safflower, Dyers' saffron,
False saffron Hindi: Kusum Manipuri: Kusumlei Tamil: Kusumba Urdu:
Gul rang Botanical name: Carthamus tinctoriusFamily: Asteraceae
(Sunflower family) Safflower is an annual plant native to the
Mediterranean countries and cultivated in Europe and the U.S. Its
glabrous, branching stem grows from 1 to 3 feet high and bears
alternate, sessile, oblong, or ovate-lanceolate leaves armed with
small, spiny teeth. The orange-yellow flowers grow in flower heads
about 1 to 11/2 inches across. This thistle is valued for its
orange-yellow flowers in summer and for the oil contained in its
seeds. The orange-red flowers of safflower sometimes serve as a
substitute for saffron, since they give a (rather pale) colour to
the food. They are frequently sold as saffron to tourists in
Hungary or Northern Africa (and probably many other parts of the
world) Their value as spice is nearly nil, but their staining
capability justifies usage in the kitchen.Medicinal uses: Taken
hot, safflower tea produces strong perspiration and has thus been
used for colds and related ailments. It has also been used at times
for its soothing effect in cases of hysteria, such as that
associated with chlorosis. Powdered seeds made into a poultice used
to ally inflammation of the womb after child birth. Flowers of this
herb is useful for jaundice. Photographed in Imphal, Manipur. Tell
a friend about this flower! ntroduced Photo: Prashant Awale Common
name: Arctic Snow, Winter Cherry Tree, Milky way, Snowflake,
Pudpitchaya, Sweet Indrajao, Hyamaraca Sanskrit: KutajahBotanical
name: Wrightia antidysentericaFamily: Apocynaceae (Oleander family)
Synonyms: Nerium antidysentericum, Nerium zeylanicum, Wrightia
zeylanica Arctic Snow is a small compact and bushy shrub growing up
to 1.5 m tall. It blooms non stop all year-round. At full bloom,
plant is covered with 1 inch white flowers that look like little
stars, or with some imagination, snowflakes from a distance. Leaves
are elliptic, glossy, evergreen. Native to Sri Lanka, it has become
a sought after garden plant.Medicinal uses: The bark possesses
anti-microbial and anti-infammatory properties and therefore the
juice extracted from it is administered for mouth sores. The leaves
are used in treating several skin disorders, psoriasis. Tell a
friend about this flower! ative Photo: Thingnam Girija Common name:
Costus Hindi: Kuth
Botanical name: Saussurea costusFamily: Asteraceae (Sunflower
family) Synonyms: Aucklandia costus, Aplotaxis lappa, Saussurea
lappa Costus is a tall perennial herb, well known as a medicinal
plant. Stems up to 2 m tall, or more. Lower leaves are
long-stalked, pinnate, 30-40 cm long, with a trianglular terminal
leaflet, up to 30 cm long. Upper leaves are smaller, up to 30 cm
long, stem-clasping. All leaves are irregularly toothed. There is a
rounded cluster of a few purple flower-heads at the top of the
stem. The flower-heads look like balls covered with purple bracts.
Costus is frequently cultivated in the Himalayas as a medicinal
plant. It is found in the Himalayas, from pakistan to Himachal
Pradesh, at altitudes of 2000-3300 m. Flowering: July-August.
Medicinal uses: Costus is widely used in several indigenous systems
of medicine for the treatment of various ailments, like asthma,
inflammatory diseases, ulcer and stomach problems. Identification
credit: Nongthombam Ulysses Photographed in Valley of Flowers,
Uttarakhand. Tell a friend about this flower! Common name:
Plumbago, Scarlet leadwort, Rose-colored Leadwort Hindi: Lal
chitrak Manipuri: X *l*( Mukaklei, U*l* Telhidak Oriya:Ogni
Bengali: d5 L* Rakt-chitrak Tamil: Akkini Gujarati: Kalochitrak
Kannada: Chitramulika Malayalam: Kotuveli Konkani: Tambdi
chitrakBotanical name: Plumbago indicaFamily: Plumbaginaceae
(Plumbago family) Synonyms: Plumbago rosea, Thela coccinea Lal
Chitrak is a plant commonly cultivated in gardens throughout India.
This winter flowering plant begins to show off its soft red,
festive colors in time for winters. A nice change from the
traditional poinsettia, this Indian native continues to flower for
months to come. Lal Chitrak makes an outstanding container plant
for a sunny window. Watch with fascination how the flowers keep
emerging on the same flower spike from winter until spring. This is
an erect or spreading, more or less branched, herbaceous or
half-woody plant 1.5 meters or less in height. The leaves are ovate
to oblong-ovate, 8 to 13 centimeters long, slightly drooping, and
smooth, with entire, undulate or wavy margins, pointed or blunt
tip, and pointed base. The spikes are 15 to 30 centimeters long.
The calyx is tubular, 8 to 10 millimeters long, and covered with
stalked, sticky glands. The corolla is bright red, the tube is
slender and about 2.5 centimeters long, and the limb, which
spreads, is about 3 cm in diameter.Medicinal uses: The root is
acrid, vesicant, abortifacient and a stimulant. Applied in bland
oil, it is used externally or internally in rheumatism and
paralytic afflictions. The root is powerful sialogogue and a remedy
for secondary syphilis, leprosy and leucoderma. The milky juice of
the plant is used in ophthalmia and in scabies. Photographed in
Alibag, Maharashtra. Tell a friend about this flower! ative Photo:
Thingnam Sophia Common name: Lavang Lata, Indian lavanga Hindi:
Lavang Lata Manipuri: Lavang Lata Kannada: jeeanthi balli, jeevani,
kakkola, lavangalathe Bengali: Lavang Lata Assamese: Lavang Lata
Sanskrit: Lavanga lata, dhankshika, dhira, dhmanksholi,
gandhakokila, vayastha, lavali, kakoli, kayasthikaBotanical name:
Luvunga scandensFamily: Rutaceae (Citrus family) Synonyms: Limonia
scandens Lavang Lata is a strong woody climber with recurved
spines, native to North-East India. It belongs to the family of
lemon and orange. Unfortunately, it has now become a rare and
endangered species. Leaves are compound, with 3 leaflets which are
lancelike and leathery. Leaf stalks are chanelled. Peduncles
carrying 4-12 pretty large, white, fragrant flowers, arise from
leaf axils. Flowers are shaped like the flowers of most citrus
plants. Fruit is oblong, 2.5 x 2 cm in size, yellowish, with smooth
aromatic peel and resinous, fragrant pulp. The fruit has 1-3 ovoid
seeds. This evergreen plant is sometimes grown for ornamental
purposes. Flowering: March-April.Medicinal uses: Dried fruits are
used in making medicinal oil. Roots and fruits are employed for
treating scorpion-stings. Identification credit: Thingnam Sophia
Photographed in Imphal, Manipur. Tell a friend about this flower!
ative Photo: Shaista Ahmad Common name: St Paul's Wort, Indian weed
Hindi: Lechkuri, Gobariya, Liskura, Lichakura Marathi: Katampu
Tamil: Karuntumpai Nepali: Dudhe JhaarBotanical name: Sigesbeckia
orientalisFamily: Asteraceae (Sunflower family) Synonyms:
Siegesbeckia orientalis, Minyranthes heterophylla St Paul's Wort is
a small annual herb, growing up to 2-4 ft tall. Stem and branches
are velvety, purple. Oppositely arranged leaves, 5-10 cm long, are
triangular-ovate, sharp tipped, with toothed margin. The flowers
heads are small with five bracts just below them, which are covered
with very sticky glandular hairs. The secretion continues till
after the fruit is ripe and aids in its distribution - the whole
flower-head breaks off and attaches itself to some passing animal.
The flowering heads are yellow, small, somewhat rounded, and 5-6 mm
in diameter. The ray flowers are red beneath, very short, curved
back, and 3-toothed. The achenes are each enclosed in a boat-shaped
bractlet which is hairless but slightly rough. St Paul's Wort is
found in India at altitudes of 400-2700 m. Flowering:
October-November.Medicinal uses: The juice of the fresh herb is
used as a dressing for wounds, over which, as it dries, it leaves a
varnishing coating. A decoction of the leaves and young shoots is
used as a lotion for ulcers and parasitic skin diseases.
Identification credit: Navendu Pg Photographed in Mussoorie,
Uttarakhand. Tell a friend about this flower! Common name: Hiptage,
Helicopter Flower Hindi: Madhavi lata Manipuri:Madhabi Kannada:
Madhvi Bengali:Madhabilata Tamil: Vasantakaala malligaiBotanical
name: Hiptage benghalensisFamily: Malpighiaceae (Barbados cherry
family) Madhavi lata, native from India to the Philippines, is a
vine like plant that is often cultivated in the tropics for its
attractive and fragrant flowers. A woody climbing shrub with
clusters of pink to white and yellow fragrant flowers and 3-winged,
helicopter-like fruits. Flowers have very interesting shape and
look like a decorative accessory, with fluffy-toothed edges. The
fragrance is very strong and pleasant, resembles fruity perfume.
Leaves are narrow and drooping. This plant can be trimmed as a
bush, and can be crown in container, too. Used medicinally in
India. Make sure to provide lots of light for profuse blooming. The
genus name, Hiptage, is derived from the Greek hiptamai, which
means "to fly" and refers its unique three-winged fruit known as
"samara". The fruit is carried by wind because of its papery
wings.Medicinal uses: The bark, leaves and flowers are aromatic,
bitter, acrid, astringent, refrigerant, vulnerary, expectorant,
cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory and insecticidal. They are useful in
burning sensation, wounds, ulcers, cough, asthma. Photographed in
Lodhi Garden, Delhi Tell a friend about this flower! Common name:
Gamhar Hindi: Gamhar Manipuri: Wang Marathi: Sivan Tamil:
Kumalaamaram Malayalam: Kumbil Telugu: Peddagumudutekku Kannada:
Shivani Konkani: Sirni Sanskrit: MadhumatiBotanical name: Gmelina
arboreaFamily: Verbenaceae (Verbena family) Gamhar is a beautiful
fast growing deciduous tree occurring naturally throughout greater
part of India up to 1500 m. It is a fast growing tree, which though
grows on different localities and prefers moist fertile valleys
with 750-4500 mm rainfall. It does not thrive on ill drained soils
and remains stunted on dry, sandy or poor soils; drought also
reduces it to a shrubby form. The tree attains moderate to large
height up to 30 m with girth of 1.2 to 4.5 m with a clear bole of
9-15 m. It is a treat to see the gamhar tree standing straight with
clear bole having branches on top and thick foliage forming a
conical crown on the top of the tall stem. Bark light grey coloured
exfoliating in light coloured patches when old, blaze thick, a
chlorophyll layer just under the outer bark, pale yellow white
inside. Flowering takes place during February to April when the
tree is more or less leafless whereas fruiting starts from May
onwards up to June. Flowers occur in narrow branching clusters at
the end of branches. The yellow flower, tinged with brown, is
trumpet shaped, 3-4 cm long. The trumpets flare open into a gaping
mouth with 5 distinct lobes.Medicinal uses: The root and bark of
Gmelina arborea are stomachic, galactagogue laxative and
anthelmintic; improve appetite, useful in hallucination, piles,
abdominal pains, burning sensations, fevers, tridosha and urinary
discharge. Leaf paste is applied to relieve headache and juice is
used as wash for ulcers. Flowers are sweet, cooling, bitter, acrid
and astringent. They are useful in leprosy and blood diseases. In
Ayurveda it has been observed that Gamhar fruit is acrid, sour,
bitter, sweet, cooling, diuretic tonic, aphrodisiac, alternative
astringent to the bowels, promote growth of hairs, useful in vata,
thirst, anaemia, leprosy, ulcers and vaginal discharge. The plant
is recommended in combination with other drugs for the treatment of
snake bite and scorpion- sting. In snake bite a decoction of the
root and bark is given internally. Identification credit: Pravin
Kawale Photographed in Delhi & Imphal, Manipur. Tell a friend
about this flower! Common name: Malabar Catmint Hindi: Gopoli,
Codhara Marathi: Gojibha Tamil: Peyimarutti Malayalam: Perumtumpa,
Karintumpa Telugu: Moga-biran, Mogabheri Kannada: Karitumbi,
Gandubirana gida Oriya: v Vaikuntha Konkani: Kaktumbo Sanskrit:
Mahadronah, VaikunthahBotanical name: Anisomeles malabaricaFamily:
Lamiaceae (Mint family) Synonyms: Anisomeles salviifolia, Nepeta
malabarica Malabar Catmint is a shrubby herb, 0.5-1.5 m tall. Stems
are tetragonous, densely villous or woolly. Leaves are ovate to
oblong, 3-8 cm x 1.5-3 cm, densely woolly beneath, sparsely hirsute
above, hairs 4-celled, petiole 0.5-2.5 cm long, softly woolly.
Inflorescence is a single terminal spike, calyx 8.5 mm x 6 mm,
longest teeth 3-4 mm long, in fruit 8-10 mm long, teeth hairy
inside. Flower up to 1.8 cm long, lower lip about 12 mm x 4 mm,
lilac or pale blue, filaments almost at same level, about 8 mm
long, style about 1.3 cm long. Nutlets are cylindrical, 1.3 mm x
0.9 mm.Medicinal uses: The whole plant, especially the leaves and
the roots are used as astringent, carminative, febrifuge and tonic.
Identification credit: Prashant AwalePhotographed in Nagpur. Tell a
friend about this flower! Common name: Indian Tree of Heaven,
Coramandel ailanto Hindi: Mahanimb, Maharukh Marathi: Marukh,
Mahrukh, mahanimb Tamil: Agal, Perumaram, perumaruntu Malayalam:
Mattipongilyam,Peru,Perumaram Telugu: pedda, peddamandu, peddamanu
Kannada: Bende, dodabevu, dodda Oriya: mundayigatch Sanskrit:
aralu, araluka, araluvrksaBotanical name: Ailanthus excelsaFamily:
Simaroubaceae (Quassia family) Indian Tree of Heaven is a large
deciduous tree, 18-25 m tall; trunk straight, 60-80 cm in diameter;
bark light grey and smooth, becoming grey-brown and rough on large
trees, aromatic, slightly bitter. Leaves alternate, pinnately
compound, large, 30-60 cm or more in length; leaflets 8-14 or more
pairs, long stalked, ovate or broadly lance shaped from very
unequal base, 6-10 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, often curved, long
pointed, hairy gland; edges coarsely toothed and often lobed.
Flower clusters droop at leaf bases, shorter than leaves, much
branched; flowers many, mostly male and female on different trees,
short stalked, greenish-yellow. Five sepals, 5 narrow petals
spreading 6 mm across. Fruit a 1-seeded samara, lance shaped, flat,
pointed at ends, 5 cm long, 1 cm wide, copper red, strongly veined,
twisted at the base The genus name Ailanthus comes from
ailanthos(tree of heaven), the Indonesian name for Ailanthus
moluccana. Flowering: January-March.Medicinal uses: Bark used in
India as a powerful fever-cure and tonic. Leaves and bark in good
repute as a tonic after labor, and the juice of the leaves and
fresh bark employed by the Konkans as a remedy for after-pains.
Photographed at Nehru Park, Delhi. ative Photo: Dinesh Valke Common
name: Karvy Hindi: Maruadana Manipuri: Khum Marathi: KarvyBotanical
name: Strobilanthes callosusFamily: Acanthaceae (Ruellia family)
Synonyms: Carvia callosa Karvy is a purplish-blue wild flower,
which blooms once every seven years. The plant was first discovered
by Nees, a resident Britisher of Mumbai in the last century. The
Karvy plant grows wild around Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh, Parts of
Gujarat and in large areas of Konkan and North Kannara Ghats. It is
a shrub growing 2-6 m tall. Oppositely arranged, elliptic-lancelike
toothed leaves are 10-20 cm long. Each year the plant comes alive
with the advent of Monsoon,and once the rains are over, what is
left behind is dry and dead-looking stems.This pattern repeats
itself for seven years. In the seventh year, the plant explodes
into mass flowering. The Karvy plant has many uses as well. ative
Photo: Thingnam Girija Common name: Sessile Joyweed, Dwarf
copperleaf, Joyweed Hindi: Garundi, Guroo Manipuri: Phakchet
Marathi: Kanchari Tamil: Ponnanganni Malayalam: Ponnankannikkira
Telugu: Ponnagantikura Kannada: Honagonne Oriya: Madaranga Konkani:
Koypa Sanskrit: MatsyaksiBotanical name: Alternanthera
sessilisFamily: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family) Sessile Joyweed is
a perennial herb, often found in and near ponds, canals and
reservoirs. It prefers places with constant or periodically high
humidity and so may be found in swamps, shallow ditches, and fallow
rice fields. A much branched prostrate herb, branches often
purplish, frequently rooting at the lower nodes; leaves simple,
opposite, somewhat fleshy, lanceolate, oblanceolate or
linear-oblong, obtuse or subacute, sometimes obscurely denticulate,
glabrous, shortly petiolate; flowers small, white, in axillary
clusters; fruits compressed obcordate utricles, seeds
suborbicular.
Tell a friend about this flower! Common name: Spanish cherry
Hindi: Maulsari Urdu: Kirakuli Manipuri: Bokul lei Tamil:
Magizhamboo Malayalam: Ilanni Bengali: Bakul Marathi: Bakuli
Konkani: Omval Kannada: Ranjal Gujarati: BarsoliBotanical name:
Mimusops elengiFamily: Sapotaceae (Mahua family) Spanish cherry is
a lovely green small tree of the Indian subcontinent. With its
small shiny, thick, narrow, pointed leaves, straight trunk and
spreading branches, it is a prized oranamental specimen because it
provides a dense shade and during the months from March to July
fills the night air with the delicious heady aroma of its tiny
cream colored flowers. Flowers are small, star-shaped, yellowish
white in color, with a crown rising from the center. Oval leaves,
wavy at margin, about 5-16 cm and 3-7 cm wide. In the morning the
fragrant flowers which so graciously scented their surroundings
with their deep, rich, fragrance during the evening hours, fall to
the ground. People love to collect them as they retain their odor
for many days after they fall. They are offered in temples and
shrines throughout the country. Appears in Indian mythology as
Vakula - said to put forth blossoms when sprinkled with nectar from
the mouth of lovely women. Fruits are eaten fresh.Medicinal uses:
Various parts of the tree have medicinal properties. It is used in
the treatment and maintenance of oral hygiene. Rinsing mouth with
water solution made with bakul helps in strengthening the teeth. It
also prevents bad breath and helps keep the gums healthy.
Photographed in Delhi. Tell a friend about this flower! ative
Photo: Dinesh Valke Common name: Sweet Broom Weed, Sweet Broom Wort
Hindi: Mithi patti, Ghoda tulsi Tamil: Sarakkotthini Bengali: Bon
dhonyaBotanical name: Scoparia dulcisFamily: Scrophulariaceae (Dog
flower family) Sweet Broom Weed is a branched herb with wiry stems,
growing up to 1 m tall. Narrowly elliptic, almost stalkless leaves
are arranged oppositely or in whorls of 3. Leaves are 3-4 X 1-1.5
cm wide, with serrated margins. Small white, hairy flowers occur in
leaf axils. The stamens are greenish and the ovary is green. The
capsule is nearly round.Medicinal uses: It is traditionally used in
treatment of diabetes, dysentery, earache, fever, gonorrhea,
headaches, jaundice, snake bite, stomach problems, toothache,
warts.Identification credit: Dinesh ValkePhotographed in
Maharashtra. Tell a friend about this flower! ative Photo: Prashant
Awale Common name: Kidney Leaf Morning Glory Hindi: Musakani
Marathi: Undirkani Tamil: Elikkadhu-keerai Telugu:
ElikajemuduBotanical name: Merremia gangeticaFamily: Convolvulaceae
(Morning glory family) Synonyms: Merremia emarginata, Convolvulus
reniformis, Ipomoea reniformis This is a slender, prostates,
creeping, smooth or somewhat hairy herb. The stems root at the
nodes, and are 10-80 cm in length. The leaves are small,
kidney-shaped to somewhat heart-shaped, 6-15 mm long, often wider
than long, and irregularly toothed. One to three flowers occur on
short stalks in the axils of the leaves. The sepals are rounded and
about 4 mm long, with few to many white, weak hairs. The corolla is
yellow, and nearly twice as long as the calyx. The capsule is
rounded and about 5 mm in diameter.Medicinal uses: In the
Philippines the decocted leaves and tops are sometimes employed as
a diuretic. Tell a friend about this flower! ative Photo: J. M.
Garg Common name: Madras Carpet Hindi: Mustaru, Bhediachim
Manipuri:Leibungou Marathi: Mashipatri Tamil: Masipathri Malayalam:
Nilampala Telugu: Mastaru Kannada: Davana Bengali: Namuti Gujarati:
JhinkimudiBotanical name: Grangea maderaspatanaFamily: Asteraceae
(Sunflower family) Synonyms: Artemisia maderaspatana, Perdicium
tomentosum Madras Carpet is a herb commonly seen in flat bunches in
harvested fields, dry river and pond beds. This hairy, branched
herb spreads from the roots and grows up to 70 cm in height. The
buds are white and woolly. The leaves are alternate, stalkless,
deeply cut, and divided into toothed lobes. Yellow flowering heads
are borne opposite the leaves, and are short- stalked, rounded, and
8-10 mm across. The flowers are small, very numerous. The
involucral-bracts are ovate, thick, rigid, and hairy. The achenes
are cylindric, glandular, and about 2 mm long. The papus-hairs are
connate, ending in a short, fimbriate tube.Medicinal uses: Leaves
are regarded in India as a valuable stomachic possessing
deobstruent and antispasmodic properties, and are prescribed as an
infusion and an electuary in cases of obstructed menses and
hysteria. Identification credit: Neil Soares & Shrikant
Ingalhalikar Photographed at Himmat Sagar Lake, Hyderabad. Tell a
friend about this flower! ative Photo: Prashant Awale Common name:
Indian Wormwood, Fleabane, Mugwort Hindi: Nagdona, Davana Manipuri:
*dl* !I Leibakngou Marathi: Dhordavana, Gondhomaro Tamil: Makkippu
Malayalam: 2J_O_ Makkippuvu, 23uJ[J Masipatri Telugu: Masipatri
Kannada: Manjepatre, Urigattige Bengali: AlAlAl Nagadana Oriya:
Dayona Konkani: Surpin Assamese: AX Nilum Sanskrit: Nagadaman,
DamanakBotanical name: Artemisia nilagiricaFamily: Asteraceae
(Sunflower family) Synonyms: Artemisia vulgaris, Artemisia vulgaris
var. nilagirica Indian Wormwood is an aromatic shrub, 1-2 m high,
yellow or dark red small flowers, grows throughout India in hills
up to 2400 m elevation. This medicinal herb is erect, hairy, often
half-woody. The stems are leafy and branched. The leaves are
pinnately lobed, 5-14 cm long, gray beneath. Mugwort blossoms with
reddish brown or yellow flowers. The flowers are freely small and
stand in long narrow clusters at the top of the stem. The fruit
(achene) is minute. It is believed that Indian Wormwood drives away
insects. So the leaves and flowers are put in boxes and
cupboards.Medicinal uses: In Manipur, leaves are used to prepare a
local hair-care lotion Chinghi. Identification credit: Prashant
Awale Photographed at Nimgiri, Maharashtra. Tell a friend about
this flower! ative Photo: Tabish Common name: Cobra saffron, Ceylon
ironwood, Indian rose chestnut Hindi: Nag champa, Nagkesar Urdu:
Narmishka Tamil: Tadinangu Marathi: Thorlachampa Malayalam: Vainavu
Assamese:Nokte Manipuri:NageshorBotanical name: Mesua ferreaFamily:
Clusiaceae (Garcinia family) A handsome Indian evergreen tree often
planted as an ornamental for its fragrant white flowers that yield
a perfume; source of very heavy hardwood used for railroad ties. In
olden time, the very hard timber was used for making lances. It is
a small to medium-sized evergreen tree up to 13 m tall, often
buttressed at the base with a trunk up to 90 cm in diameter. It has
simple, narrow, oblong, dark green leaves 7-15 cm long, with a
whitish underside; the emerging young leaves are red to yellowish
pink and drooping. The flowers are 4-7.5 cm diameter, with four
white petals and a centre of numerous yellow stamens. The flowers
have many uses - they are used to make an incense and also used to
stuff pillows in some countries. It is the National tree of Sri
Lanka.Medicinal uses: The leaves are applied to the head in the
form of a poultice for severe colds. Oil from the seeds is used for
sores, scabies, wounds, and rheumatism. The root of this herb is
often used as an antidote for snake poison. The dried flowers are
used for bleeding hemorrhoids and dysentery with mucus. Fresh
flowers are also prescribed for excessive thirst, excessive
perspiration, cough, and for indigestion. Photographed in Sundar
Nursery, Delhi Tell a friend about this flower! Common name:
Umbrella Sedge, Nutgrass, Nutsedge, Purple Nutsedge Hindi:
Nagarmotha Marathi: lawala Tamil: koraikkilangu, nakamuttakkacu
Malayalam: korakizhanna Telugu: kolatungamuste, tungagaddalaveru
Kannada: konnarigadda, nagarmusthe Urdu: Nagarmotha, Sadkofi
Sanskrit: chakranksha, charukesara, chudalapindamusta, kachharuha,
kalapini, nadeyi, nagar-mustakaBotanical name: Cyperus
scariosusFamily: Cyperaceae (Sedge family) Umbrella Sedge is a
perennial herb, about a meter tall, arising from rhizomes and
tubers. The stems are 3-sided and triangular in cross section and
there is an umbrella-like tuft of long narrow leaves at the top.
The leaves are yellow to green in color with a distinct ridge. The
plant has red-brown flower spikelets with up to 40 individual
flowers. The dried tuberous roots are collected, dried and used in
traditional medicine. Nutgrass is used in hair - and skin care
products. It stimulates sebaceous glands near hair roots. Also
interesting is that the oil, an amber viscous liquid, extracted
from this plant is used in perfumery.Medicinal uses: The tubers are
credited with astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, dessicant, cordial
and stomachic properties. A decoction of the tuber is used for
washing hair, treating gonorrhea and syphilis. It is also given in
diarrhea and for general weakness. Photographed in Lodhi Garden,
Delhi. Tell a friend about this flower! Common name: Ranabili
Hindi: Nalbila Marathi: Ranabili, Gudmai Tamil: Puilipan cheddi
Malayalam: Kaipanarangi, Potti, Pulippanchedi Kannada: Narsullu,
Chitunde, Karbe Urdu: RanabiliBotanical name: Cipadessa
bacciferaFamily: Meliaceae (Neem family) Synonyms: Melia baccifera,
Cipadessa fruticosa Ranabili is a shrub 1-4 m tall, with coarse
bark. Young branches are grayish brown, ribbed, and covered with
yellow velvety hairs and sparse grayish white lenticels. Leaves are
compound, 8-30 cm long, with leaf-stalk and spine either hairless
or yellow velvety. Leaflets are usually 9-13, opposite, ovate to
ovoid-oblong, 3.5-10 1.5-5 cm. Flowers are born in clusters 8-15 cm
long. Flowers are white, 3-4 mm in diameter. Flower stalks are
1-1.5 mm long. Sepal cup is short, yellow velvety outside. Sepals
are broadly triangular. Petals are white or yellow, linear to
oblong-elliptic, 2-3.5 mm, outside covered with sparse appressed
velvety hairs. Stamens are shorter than petals, with hairy
filaments. Fruit is purple to black when mature, round, 4-5 mm in
diameter. Flowering: April-October.Medicinal uses: Juice of the
root is given in cases of indigestion. It is also used in treating
cough and cold. A paste of bark is pressed against the teeth for
about 15 mins to relieve bleeding and swelling of gums.
Identification credit: Navendu Pg & Shaista Ahmad Photographed
at Cauvery riverside, Bangalore. Tell a friend about this flower!
Common name: Oval Leaf Pondweed, Oval Leaf Monochoria, Marshy
betelvine Hindi: Nanka, Indivar Marathi: Nelat-phal Tamil:
Karimkuvalam Malayalam: Karinkuvvalam Telugu: Nirakancha Kannada:
Neelothpala Bengali: nukha Assamese: nara meteka Sanskrit:
IndivarahBotanical name: Monochoria vaginalisFamily: Pontederiaceae
(Pickerel weed family) Oval Leaf Pondweed is an attached aquatic
annual or perennial herb with emersed leaves, to 50 cm tall. More
widespread than M. hastata, it is a serious weed of rice fields.
Leaves variable - 2-12.5 cm long, 0.5-10 cm wide, in very young
plants without lamina; leaves of somewhat older plants with a
floating linear or lanceolate blade; leaves of still older plants,
ovate-oblong to broadly ovate, sharply acuminate, the base
heart-shaped or rounded, shiny, deep green in color. Inflorescence
spikelike, basally opposite the sheath of the floral leaf, with a
large bract arising from a thickened bundle on leaf stalk, about
two-thirds of the way up the stalk from the base. Flowers 3-25,
opening simultaneously or in quick succession, on pedicels 4-25 mm
long. Petals six, violet or lilac blue, spreading at flowering,
afterwards spirally contorted. As is typical of many aquatic
annuals, plant size, leaf shape, and flower number are highly
variable in relation to the amount of water. The entire plant
(except the roots) is eaten as a vegetable in India, and the roots
are used medicinally. Flowering: August-March.Medicinal uses: Oval
Leaf Pondweed is used in Ayurvedic, Unani and folklore medicine.
The root is used for toothache and the bark is eaten with sugar for
asthma. Photographed at Rajamalai National park, Kerala. Tell a
friend about this flower! Common name: Chaste Tree Hindi: Nirgundi,
sindvar Manipuri: Urik shibi Tamil: Nocchi Malayalam: Vennocchi
Telugu: Vavili Kannada: Nochi Bengali: Nishinda Sanskrit:
Sinduvara, Indrani, Nilanirgundi Urdu: Sambhalu, Tukhm
sambhaluBotanical name: Vitex negundoFamily: Verbenaceae (Verbena
family) Chaste tree can be described as a cross between a shrub and
a tree with a single woody stem (trunk). It can grow up to five
meters tall. Chaste tree's distinctive feature are the pointed
leaves with 3-5 leaflets. Small, lilac or violet flowers on new
growth from June to September. Flowers are the smallest of the
commonly grown Vitex species. The leaves are used as a mosquito
repellent . leaves are burnt in a heap which proves very useful to
get rid of Mosquitoes.Medicinal uses: It is an effective herbal
medicine with proven therapeutic value. Chaste tree has been
clinically tested to be effective in the treatment of colds, flu,
asthma and pharyngitis. Studies have shown that it can prevent the
body's production of leukotrienes which are released during an
asthma attack. Chaste tree contains Chrysoplenol D, a substance
with anti-histamine properties and muscle relaxant. The leaves,
flowers, seeds and root of Chaste tree can all be used as herbal
medicine. A decoction is made by boiling the parts of the plant and
taken orally. Today, Chaste tree is available in capsule form and
syrup for cough. Identification credit: K. Karthigeyan Photographs
from Manipur & Tamil Nadu. ative Photo: Prashant Awale Common
name: Snake Jasmine, Dainty Spurs Hindi: Palakjuhi, Juhipani
Marathi: Gajkarni Tamil: Uragamalli, Nagamalli Malayalam:
Nagamulla, Puzhukkolli Telugu:Nagamalle Kannada: Nagamallige,
Doddapatike Bengali: Juipana Konkani: Dadmari Urdu: Palakjuhi
Sanskrit: Yudhikaparni, YoodhikaparniBotanical name: Rhinacanthus
nasutusFamily: Acanthaceae (Ruellia family) Synonyms: Rhinacanthus
nasuta, Justicia nasuta, Rhinacanthus communis Native to India,
this useful plant is a slender, erect, branched, somewhat hairy
shrub 1-2 m in height. The leaves are oblong, 4-10 cm in length,
and narrowed and pointed at both ends. The inflorescence is a
spreading, leafy, hairy panicle with the flowers usually in
clusters. The calyx is green, hairy, and about 5 mm long. The
corolla-tube is greenish, slender, cylindric, and about 2 cm long.
The flowers is 2-lipped; the upper lip is white, erect, oblong or
lancelike, 2-toothed at the apex, and about 3 mm in both length and
width; and the lower lip is broadly obovate, 1.1-1.3 cm in both
measurements, 3-lobed, and white, with a few, minute, brownish dots
near the base. The fruit (capsule) is club-shaped and contains 4
seeds.Medicinal uses: In India the fresh root and leaves, bruised
and mixed with lime juice, are a useful remedy for ringworm and
other skin affections. The seeds also are efficacious in ringworm.
The root-bark is a remedy for dhobies itch. In Sind it is said to
possess extraordinary aphrodisiacal powers, the roots boiled in
milk being much employed by Hindu practitioners. The roots are
believed n some parts of India to be an antidote to the bites of
poisonous snakes. Identification credit: Prashant Awale
Photographed in Chembur, Mumbai. Tell a friend about this flower!
Common name: Slender Oldenlandia Hindi: Paper-bhed Kannada: kaag
purale Malayalam: Ou3u3u2 G g Nonnanampullu, scanganam-pulli
Sanskrit: Chhayaparpatika Tamil: nonnanampullu Telugu: chiriveru,
thella nela vaemu, verri nelavaemuBotanical name: Oldenlandia
herbaceaFamily: Rubiaceae (Coffee family) Synonyms: Hedyotis
herbacea Slender Oldenlandia is an erect much branched hairless
bushy herb. Branches are slender, wiry, widely diverging.
Oppositely arranged stalkless leaves are linear- lanceshaped,
usually with curled-back margins. Lower leaves are broader than the
upper ones. Flowers are tiny and appear singly or in groups of few,
on slender long stalks, in leaf axils. Flower tube is slender with
4 spreading petals. Flowers are up to 5 mm in diameter, white or
mauve. Fruits are round capsules. Tell a friend about this flower!
Common name: Indian tulip tree, Aden apple, Portia tree Hindi:
Paras pipal Malayalam: Puvarasu Bengali: Palaspipal Tamil:
PuvarasuBotanical name: Thespesia populneaFamily: Malvaceae (Mallow
family) This is a good tree for small gardens or patios. Its name
Thespesia means "divinely decreed" and was given by Daniel Solander
who saw it in Tahiti as a member of Captain Cook's ship. Indian
tulip tree is an evergreen bushy tree. It grows to 40 ft or more
with a spread of 1020 ft. It has heart-shaped leaves and cup-shaped
yellow flowers that are produced intermittently throughout the year
in warm climates. Each flower has a maroon eye that ages to purple.
The flowers are followed by apple-shaped fruit.Medicinal uses:
Ground up bark is used to treat skin diseases (India), dysentery
and haemorrhoids (Mauritius) Leaves are applied to inflamed and
swollen joints (South India) Tell a friend about this flower!
Common name: Stone Flower Hindi: Charela, Pattharphori Sanskrit:
Shila pushp, Shantapushpi, Pasanbheda Nepali: KumBotanical name:
Didymocarpus pedicellatusFamily: Gesneriaceae (Gloxinia family)
Synonyms: Didymocarpus pedicellata The name Stone Flower, and
various local names, probably come from the plant's believed
efficacy in curing kidney stones, or probably because it occurs on
rocks. It is a usually stemless plant of damp rocks, with 2 large
basal leaves with long stalks. Leaves are roundly ovate, rounded
toothed. Many reddish purple flowers, 2.5 cm long, occur in
clusters, at the end of erect flowering stems, which are about 20
cm tall. Ovate bracts are often fused below. Colored, rounded
sepals form a funnel shaped tube. The flower tube is narrow
cylindric with a flaring mouth consisting of 5 rounded petals.
Capsule is linear, beaked. Occurs in the Himalayas, from Himachal
Pradesh to Arunachal Pradesh, at altitudes of 500-2500 m.
Flowering: July-September.Medicinal uses: Stone Flower is a
valuable, although a lesser known medicinal plant. Traditionally
Stone Flower is used in the treatment of renal diseases
particularly kidney stones. According to a hypothesis the plant is
supposed to regulate calcium absorption in the body. The plant is
known for its diuretic effect and in maintaining healthy urinary
tract.Identification credit: Pankaj Kumar Photographed in
Dhanaulti, Uttar Pradesh. Tell a friend about this flower! Common
name: Cuban Oregano, Indian borage, Indian mint, Mexican mint,
Mexican oregano, Spanish thyme Hindi: Patharchur, Patta ajwain
Marathi: Pathurchur Tamil: Karpuravalli Malayalam: Panikkurkka,
Kannikkurkka Telugu: Sugandhavalkam, Karpoora valli, karuvaeru,
vamu aaku Kannada: karpurahalli, dodda pathre, dodda pathre soppu,
karpoora valli Sanskrit: Karpuravalli, SugandhavalakamBotanical
name: Plectranthus amboinicusFamily: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Synonyms: Coleus amboinicus, Coleus aromaticus, Plectranthus
aromaticus Cuban Oregano is a sprawling and somewhat succulent
herb, growing to 1 m tall. The plant is sometimes prostrate at
base, with the branchlets rising up, densely hairy. Leaves have
stalks 1-4.5 cm long, densely velvety, like most mint family
plants. Leaf blade is fleshy, broadly ovate to circular, rhombic,
or kidney-shaped, 4-10 cm long, 3-9 cm broad, coarsely toothed at
margin or entire toward base. Flowers are borne in 10-20-flowered,
densely velvety spikes, 10-20 cm long. Flower stalks are slender,
up to 5 mm long. Sepal cup is bell-shaped, 1.5-4 mm long. Flowers
are pale blue or mauve to pink, 8-12 mm long - the upper lip is up
to 4.5 x 3 mm, erect, the lower lip up to 5-6 x 4 mm, concave.
Filaments of stamens are mostly fused into a tube around style. The
origin of Cuban Oregano is unknown - it is widely cultivated
world-wide. The leaves are strongly flavoured and make an excellent
addition to stuffings for meat and poultry. Finely chopped, they
can also be used to flavour meat dishes, especially beef, lamb and
game.Medicinal uses: The leaves have also had many traditional
medicinal uses, especially for the treatment of coughs, sore
throats and nasal congestion, but also for a range of other
problems such as infections, rheumatism and flatulence. In
Indonesia Cuban Oregano is a traditional food used in soup to
stimulate lactation for the month or so following childbirth.
Identification credit: Narendra Joshi Photographed at Satara,
Maharashtra. ative Photo: Prashant Awale Common name: Frilly
Lepidagathis Gujarati: Hiran-chaaro, Paniru Hindi: Pathar-phor
buti, Safed RaasnaaBotanical name: Lepidagathis trinervisFamily:
Acanthaceae (Ruellia family) Frilly Lepidagathis is a prostrae to
suberect undershrub, up to a foot tall. Twigs are quardrangular,
bristly or glabrous twigs, arising from a woody rootstock. Leaves
are sessile, linear to narrowly lanceshaped, 2-4.5 cm long, 3-5 mm
broad, hairless, 3-nerved from the base, lateral nerves weaker than
midrib and run along entire margin. Flowers are light pink, in
dense, one-sided stalkless oblong-ovoid spikes, 1-2 cm long, in
leaf axils. The spikes are fascicled near rootstock or a little
higher up. Flowers have a frilly appearance because of the long,
spine-tipped bracts. Bracts are ovate or elliptic-ovate, 4-5 x
2.5-3 mm, with a 3.5-4.5 mm long recurved spine at the tip.
Bracteoles are nearly as long as long bracts, outer
oblong-lanceshaped, long-pointed, inner wedge-shaped, membranous.
Sepals are 5, 7-8 mm long, membranous, pointed but not
spine-tipped. Flowers are spotted inside, 5-6 mm long, densely long
silky hairy in bud, upper lip slightly notched, lower lip with 3,
patent obtuse lobes. Capsule is ovoid-lanceshaped, 5-6 mm long,
2-seeded, hairless. Flowering: September-February.Medicinal uses:
The plant is used as a bitter tonic. It is used for rheumatic
affections. Identification credit: Prashant Awale Photographed at
Irshalgad, near Panvel, Maharashtra. Tell a friend about this
flower! ative Photo: J. M. Garg Common name: Patthar Suva Hindi:
Patthar-suva, seri Kannada: parpataka, kallu suseege, parpaataka,
ghattarasva Marathi: phattar-suva, seri, patharasuva Sanskrit:
Charak, Parpata, Pithari, Renu Tamil: parapalanam Telugu:
parapalanamBotanical name: Glossocardia bosvalliaFamily: Asteraceae
(Sunflower family) Synonyms: Verbesina bosvallia Patthar Suva is a
small annual herb, 10-20 cm tall. The plant is branched from the
base and the branches are grooved. Alternately arranged leaves, 1.5
cm long, are pinnately cut in to linear segments. Yellow flowers
are borne in heads carried on slender stalks, in leaf axils or at
the end of branches. Outer 3 bracts are 3 mm long, 3 inner ones are
7 mm long, striped. Seedpods are 6 mm, brown, hairy. Flowering:
August-December.Medicinal uses: Pithari plant is used as an
emmenagogue in medicine. In Ayurveda, the plant is used as a
substitute for Oldenlandia corymbosa. The tribal inhabitants of
western Maharashtra use a decoction of the plant as febrifuge. A
paste of the fresh Pithari plant is applied to promote healing of
sores and wounds. It has a bitter taste and fennel like odour.
Besides serving as a medicinal plant Pithari plant is also used in
culinary purposes. People of some states in India take Pithari
plant as a vegetable. Identification credit: Rani Bhagat
Photographed in Keesaragutta, Andhra Pradesh. Tell a friend about
this flower! ative Photo: Thingnam Girija Common name: Chinese
Wedelia Hindi: Pilabhangara, Bhanra Marathi: Pivala-Bhangra Tamil:
Manjalkarilamkanni, Patalai kayyantakarai Malayalam: Mannakkannunni
Telugu: Guntagalagara Kannada: Gargari, Kalsarji Bengali: Bhimra
Konkani: Birimgarsi Sanskrit: Pitabhrnga, PitabhrngarajahBotanical
name: Wedelia chinensisFamily: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
Synonyms: Solidago chinensis Chinese Wedelia is a tender,
spreading, and hairy herb, with the branches usually less than 50
cm long. The leaves are oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 2-4.5 cm in
length, and narrowed at both ends. The margins are entire or
obscurely toothed; and both surfaces are covered with
sharp-pointed, appressed, straight, and stiff hairs. The heads are
stalked, about 1 cm in diameter, and yellow. The involucral bracts
are oblong-ovate. The ray flowers are 8-12, spreading, about equal
to the bracts, and broad; the disk flowers number about 20, and are
short, narrow, and pointed. The achenes are nearly cylindric, and
hairy.Medicinal uses: The leaves are used in dyeing grey hair and
in promoting the growth of hair. They are considered tonic,
alternative, and useful in coughs, cephalalgia, skin diseases, and
alopecia. The juice of the leaves is much used as a snuff in
cephalalgia. The seeds and flowers, as well as the leaves, are used
in decoction, in the quantity of half of teacupful twice daily, as
a deobstruent. In decoction, the plant is used in uterine
haemorrhage and menorrhagia.Identification credit: Akramul Hoque
Photographed in Imphal, Manipur. Tell a friend about this flower!
Common name: Yellow Jasmine, Italian Jasmine Hindi: Peeli chameli
Nepali: Masino JaaiBotanical name: Jasminum humileFamily: Oleaceae
(Jasmine family) Synonyms: Jasminum wallichianum, Jasminum
revolutum, Jasminum pubigerum Yellow Jasmine is a small erect
much-branched shrub, growing to 1 m or more tall, commonly found in
the Himalayan region. It has green, angular branches. Leaves are
pinnate with 3-7 ovate to lancelike leathery leaflets. The last
leaflet is somewhat larger. Inflorescences are lax clusters of
yellow tubular flowers at the end of branches. Flowers have a
slender tube, 1-2 cm long, with 5 rounded spreading petals, about 6
mm. Sepal tube is cup shaped, only 3 mm in size, with tiny
triangular sepals. Fruit is black berry, 8 mm in size, with crimson
juice. Flowering: April-June.Medicinal uses: The flowers are
astringent and a tonic for the heart and bowels. A paste made frm
the flowers is considered effective in the treatment of intestinal
problems. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of
ringworm. The milky juice of the plant is used for destroying the
unhealthy lining walls of chronic sinuses and fistulas.
Photographed in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. Tell a friend about this
flower! Common name: Climbing Nettle, Indian Stinging Nettle,
Canchorie root-plant Assamese: dumuni chorat Bengali: bichuti
Hindi: 7 barhanta, | pit parni Kannada: turike balli
Malayalam:coriyanam Marathi: aag paan, aagya, kallaavi,
laghumedhshingi Nepali: | ut