Indian Flora Group

Post of the Day Archive – Collection of Posts Selected as Post of the Day on Indian Flora Group 16,07.13 241. Suresh Kutty

Calamaria coromandelina (L. f.) Kuntze Syn: Isoetes coromandeliana L. f. Isoetaceae ETYMOLOGY: Calamaria from the Latin calamarius, meaning a tube for holding pens; pertaining to a writing reed, derived from the Greek word kalamos meaning "tube, reed"; probably referring to the tapered shape. The genus Isoetes consists of more than 130 species. Fourteen endemic species have been described in India. The ranges of most of these species overlap each other, and there's no consensus about their specific limits. This entry, thus, may encompass information about more than one species and inter-species hybrids.

15.07.13 240. Ajit Ampalakkad

Jatropha gossypiifolia L. Euphorbiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek words 'Iatos' means 'physician' and 'trophe' means 'food' in allusion to the medicinal properties of this plant. COMMON NAME: Bellyache Bush, Cotton-leaf physic nut • Hindi: रतनजोती Ratanjoti • Manipuri: E-hidak • Tamil: சிறிய ஆமணக்கு Siria Amanakku • Malayalam: Chuvanna Kadalavanakku • Kannada: Chikka kada haralu • Bengali: Lal bherenda FOI: This is a container grown plant but lives outdoors. It is often confused with castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) It grows spontaneously in abandoned areas. The contrast between the purple leaves and green fruits is something special. This bush has beautiful foilage The new leaves on the top of each branch are tri-lobed and a lovely purple-red. Castor oil leaves are larger and with many more labes. The flowers are small, red with yellow centres, and are in small clusters throughout the upper part of the plant. Seed pods are smooth and oval, about the size of a cherry, 12 mm across and contain three to four seeds about 8 mm long. The leaves shine in the sun and it will reach 3' tall and easily as wide in one growing season. The leaves are a glossy, burgundy-red that ages to a medium green. The plant takes the heat and has tremendous vigor. It easily seeds itself around, and can become a weed. The fruits of the plant are poisonous to humans and animals. The toxic substance is a toxalbumin which, when eaten, leads to symptoms of gastro-enteritis and eventual death of some animals. MEDICINAL USES: Warning: Unverified information It may come as a surprise then to discover that concoctions derived from bellyache bush are actually used in folk medicine all around the world, in particular to treat bellyache, hence the name bellyache bush. It's a case of "what does not kill us makes us stronger.

14.07.13 239. Girish Mohan P K

Marsdenia sylvestris (Retz.) P.I.Forst. Apocynaceae ETYMOLOGY: In honour of William Marsden (orientalist) (1754–1836), English orientalist, linguist and numismatist. िं ी medhashingi, • Marathi: COMMON NAME: Gurmar • Hindi: छॊटा दध ू ीलता chhota-dudhilata, गुढ़मार gudmar, गुरमार gurmar, मॆढ़श ग kavali, bedaki, bedakuli, kalikardori, kaoli • Tamil: adigam, amudupushpam, ayagam, kogilam • Malayalam: chakkarakkolli, madhunasini • Telugu: bodaparta, podapatra • Kannada: kadhasige, sannagera, sannagerasehambu • Oriya: meshasringi • Urdu: gurmar‫گرمار‬, gurmar booti, gurmar patta • Sanskrit: ajaballi, अजगिंधधनी ajaghandini, कर्णिका karnika, kshinavartta, मधुनशिनी madhunasini FPK-KFRI: Gurmar is a famed plant, revered for its use in treatment of diabetes for nearly two millennia. The Hindi name Gurmar actually means diabetes killer. It is a large climber, rooting at nodes. Leaves are elliptic, narrow tipped, base narrow. Leaves are smooth above, and sparsely or densely velvety beneath. Pale yellow flowers are small, in axillary and lateral umbel like cymes. Stalk of the umbel is long. Sepals are long, ovate, obtuse, velvety. Flowers are pale yellow, bell-shaped. Corona is single, with 5 fleshy scales. Medicinal uses: One of the alternative medicines to both diabetes and obesity could be Gurmar plant preparation, as it known to have a good effect for curbing of diabetes by blocking sugar binding sites and hence not allowing the sugar molecules to accumulate in the body.

13.07.13 238. Vinaya Raj VR

Ixora malabarica (Dennst.) Mabb. Rubiaceae ETYMOLOGY: The portuguese version of the term 'Iswari', a name of the Hindu Goddess Paravti in Malabar region, to which flowers of I. coccinea are offered and considered auspicious. COMMON NAME: Malayalam: Cherukuravu ENDEMIC TO SOUTH WESTERN GHATTS IUCN STATUS: VULNERABLE FPK-KFRI: Slender erect shrubs. Leaves 4-13 x 2-4.5 cm, lanceolate, base broadly acute to rounded, apex acute to shortly acuminate, thin-coriaceous; stipules 5-6 mm long, triangular with subulate tip. Cymes corymbiform, flacid, few-flowered. Bracts and bracteoles 22.5 mm long, subulate. Calyx campanulate; lobes 3-3.5 mm long. Corolla greenish yellow; tube 1.6-2 cm long; lobes 4-5 mm long, lanceolate, curled and recurved. Stamens attached between lobes at throat of tube. Berry c. 1 cm across, subglobose.

12.07.13 237. Vinaya Raj V R

Embelia tsjeriam-cottam (Roem. & Schult.) A.DC. Myrsinaceae ETYMOLOGY: Embelia is derived from a vernacular name for E. ribes from Sri Lanka. COMMON NAME: Malabar Embelia • Hindi: Babrang, Baibrang, Bayabirang, Bhingi, Baya Birang • Kannada: Amti, Joladhanna, Vaivaling, Kanthree vilanga, Choladhanna, Maraharive • Malayalam: Basaal, Cheriyannattam, Tsjeriam-cottam • Marathi: Ambati, Ambuti, Kokla, Waiwarung • Sanskrit: Bidanga, Krimighnam, Vellah, Vidanga • Tamil: Vaivilangam. FOI: Malabar Embelia is a shrub found in peninsular India, particularly on the Malabar region. Leaves are generally at the end of branches, ovate, pointed, with entire margins. Flowers are borne in lateral racemes, which are 3 times shorter than the leaves. Flowers are very small, greenish yellow, with petals expanded, pointed. Berries are round, red when ripe, sweet tasting. The plant flowers in summer. Medicinal uses: Seed is used as a vermifuge, the bark of the root in toothache and decoction of leaves as a gargle in sore-throat and in making a soothing ointment.

11.07.13 236. Balakrishnan Veeranchira

Connarus paniculatus Roxb. Connaraceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek name "konnaros" for a kind of prickly evergreen (Christ's-thorn) tree in the same genera. www.efloras.org: Lianas or scandent shrubs. Branchlets ferrugineous tomentose when young, glabrous when mature. Leaves oddpinnate, rarely 1-foliolate; petiole, rachis, and petiolules glabrous; leaflets often 2-or 3-paired; leaflet blade oblong, oblong-elliptic, or lanceolate, 6–20 × 3–7.5 cm, leathery, glabrous on both surfaces, lateral veins 5–9-paired, spreading to ascending, slightly curved and anastomosing near margin, base subcuneate or subrounded, margin entire, apex acute, rarely emarginate. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, paniculate, 10–40 cm; rachis and pedicels shortly ferrugineous tomentose, later glabrescent; bracts scaly. Sepals 5, lanceolate to ovate, ca. 3 mm, sparsely and shortly ferrugineous tomentose abaxially, apex acuminate. Petals 5, milky yellow, oblong, 5–7 mm, shortly ferrugineous tomentose abaxially, pilose adaxially, apex obtuse. Stamens ca. 10, all fertile. Carpel 1, nearly as long as long stamens, densely pubescent. Follicle long ellipsoid, slightly inflated, 3–3.5 × 1.5–2 cm, base gradually narrowed into a short, slender stipe, apex shortly beaked and slightly oblique; pericarp bright red, woody, glabrous abaxially, slightly pubescent adaxially, longitudinally striate. Seed black-purple, glossy, oblong, 1–1.7 × 0.5–1.1 cm, base covered by 2-lobed aril.

10.07.13 NO ELIBLE POST 09.07.13 234. Dhanya Dreaming

Passiflora foetida L. Passifloraceae ETYMOLOGY: From Latin words 'Passio' Mean Passion and 'Flora' means flower, the latin of Passion flower. The "Passion" in "passion flower" refers to the passion of Jesus in Christian theology. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish Christian missionaries adopted the unique physical structures of this plant, particularly the numbers of its various flower parts, as symbols of the last days of Jesus and especially his crucifixion. Blue Passion Flower (P. caerulea) showing most elements of the Christian symbolism Which are 1: The pointed tips of the leaves were taken to represent the Holy Lance. 2: The tendrils represent the whips used in the flagellation of Christ. 3: The ten petals and sepals represent the ten faithful apostles (excluding St. Peter the denier and Judas Iscariot the betrayer). 4: The flower's radial filaments, which can number more than a hundred and vary from flower to flower, represent the crown of thorns. 5: The chalice-shaped ovary with its receptacle represents a hammer or the Holy Grail. 6: The 3 stigmas represent the 3 nails and the 5 anthers below them the 5 wounds (four by the nails and one by the lance). 7: The blue and white colors of many species' flowers represent Heaven and Purity. COMMON NAMES: Love-in-a-mist, Stinking passionflower • Hindi: झम ु का लता Jhumka lata • Bengali: ঝু মকা লতা Jhumka lota •

Manipuri: লম রাধিকানাচ াম Lam Radhikanachom • Marathi: वेल घाणी Vel-ghani • Kannada: Kukkiballi • Malayalam: Chirranchantiya, Poochapalam • Tamil: Siruppunaikkali, Chiru punai-k-kali, Mupparisavalli • Telugu: Tellajumiki. FOI: Love-in-a-mist is a creeping vine which has an edible fruit and leaves that have a mildly rank aroma. It is native to northern South America and the West Indies. The stems are thin, wiry and woody, covered with sticky yellow hairs. The leaves are three- to five-lobed and viscid-hairy. They give off an unpleasant odour when crushed. The flowers are white to pale cream coloured, about 5-6 cm diameter. The fruit is globose, 2-3 cm diameter, yellowish-orange to red when ripe, and has numerous black seeds embedded in the pulp; the fruit are eaten and the seeds dispersed by birds. The bracts of this plant serve as insect traps, but it is as yet unknown whether the plant digests and gains nourishment from the trapped insects or if it merely uses the bracts as a defensive mechanism to protect its flowers and fruit. This is still an issue of debate and research among carnivorous plant enthusiasts. MEDICINAL USES: This species can be helpful in treating digestive problems, including dyspepsia and diarrhea; or used as an astringent and expectorant for nervous conditions and spasms.

08.07.13 233. Vinaya Raj V R

Aristolochia ringens Vahl Aristolochiaceae ETYMOLOGY: The scientific name Aristolochia was developed from Ancient Greek aristos (άριστος) "best" + locheia (λοχεία), "childbirth" or "childbed", as in ancient times the plant was thought to be effective against infections caused by childbirth. COMMON NAMES: Gaping Dutchman's Pipe, pipe vine • Marathi: बदक वेल badak vel. FOI: Gaping Dutchman's Pipe is a tall, hairless slender twiner, native to Brazil, but now cultivated throughout the tropical world. Leaves are stalked, round, almost kidney-shaped, pale green above, glaucous beneath. On the leaf blade, 5-7 nerves radiate from the base. Stipules are noticeably leaflike, 2-lobed, kidney-shaped. Flower stalk is slender, four times as long as the leaf stalk. Flowers, 7-10 inches long, are greenish, marked with dark purple. Flower has an obovoid sack, 2.5 inches long, woolly inside. The flower tube ascends obliquely from the sack, dividing into two very long lips. The two lips give an impression of a gaping mouth. The species name ringens means snarling in Latin. MEDICINAL USES: The roots of this plant are well known as an antidote for snake bites in New Granada.


Ochreinauclea missionis (Wall. ex G.Don) Ridsdale Rubiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek Words 'Ochre' means yellow and 'nauclea' is another genus of the same family similar to this palnt. In allusion to the yellow colored flowers that resembles that of nauclea. IUCN Status: Vulnerable ENDEMIC TO SOUTH WESTERN GHATTS FPK-KFRI: Evergreen trees, to 12 m high, bark greyish-brown, shallowly irregularly grooved; blaze dull yellow; young shoots glabrous. Leaves simple, opposite, decussate, stipulate; stipules 4-10 x 2-5 mm, oblong, obtuse, semi persistent, glabrous; petiole 5-15 mm long, stout, glabrous; lamina 8-14 x 3.5-6 cm, elliptic, elliptic-obovate or elliptic-oblong, base attenuate or decurrent, apex acute or obtuse, margin entire, glabrous, membranous to chartaceous; lateral nerves 10-13 pairs, pinnate, regular, prominent beneath, intercostae reticulate, slender. Flowers bisexual, yellowish-white, 5-6 mm long, in terminal 2.5-3 cm diameter heads, hypanthia mutually connate at apex; calyx tube short; lobes 4-5, 2-3 mm long, oblong to trigonal-oblong, pubescent below; corolla infundibular, 8-10 mm long, greenish-yellow; lobes 4-5, 2-3 mm long, pubescent outside; stamens inserted in the upper part of the tube; stamens 4-5, attached to the throat of corolla; filaments short; anthers 1 mm long, basifixed, introrse, conspicuously protruding from the throat; ovary 2-locular, inferior; placentae attached to the middle of the septum, heart shaped; ovules many; style 7-10 mm, exserted; stigma spindle shaped. Fruit a drupe, globose, fleshy; seeds ovoid, few in each cell.

06.07.13 231. Nilesh Kelkar

Habenaria grandifloriformis Blatt. & McCann Orchidaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Latin "habena" reins, referring to the straplike lip divisions. COMMON NAMES: Single Leaved Habenaria, Large flowered Habenaria • Marathi: आषाढ हबेअमरी Ashadh habe-amri, धििुरकािंदा

Chichurkanda, धिकरकािंदा Chikarkanda. FOI: In the open high altitude grasslands, Single Leaved Habenaria enchantingly allures the onlookers with its pure white flowers against the green wild grass. The leaf, usually only one, heart shaped and rounded, lies flat on the ground. Flowers are white in 1-5 bundles with bilobed petals. Lip with 3 narrow lobes having spur longer than the ovary. It is a terrestrial herb, growing to 12 cm high. Tuber solitary, 1.8 x 1 cm, ovoid. It is one of the first flowering herbs to appear at the onset of monsoons. Flowering: June-July.


Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. Oleaceae ETYMOLOGY: 'Nycta' means Night and 'Anthus' means flower in allusion to the nocturnal anthesis of the flowers. COMMON NAMES: Har singar, Coral Jasmine, Tree of Sorrow, Queen of the night • Hindi: हार शििंगार Har singar, ैफ़ाली Shefali, पाररजात Paarijat • Manipuri: Singarei • Tamil: பவிழமல்லி Pavizhamalli • Malayalam: Paarijatam പാരിജാതം• Sanskrit: पाररजात Paarijat. FOI: Har singar should not be confused with the West Indian shrub Cestrum nocturnum, also called queen of the night. Nyctanthes arbortristis literally means, night-blooming sad tree. Grows as large shrub or small tree depending on how it is trained. The large attractive leaves are rough and hairy. The sweet scented flowers are small, attractive with white petals and an orange-red tube in center and bloom profusely, opening at night and drop off in the morning, thus making a carpet of flowers in the morning. Used for worship. Needs warmth during winter months. Use well drained soil and fertilize once a month. MYTHOLOGY: Parijat, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, appears in several Hindu myths and is often related to the Kalpavriksha. In one myth, which appears in Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata and the Vishnu Purana, Parijat appeared as the result of the Samudra manthan (Churning of the Milky Ocean). Lord Krishna battled with Indra to win parijat. Further on his wife Satyabhama demanded the tree to be planted in the backyard of her palace. It so happened that in spite of having the tree in her backyard, the flowers used to fall in the adjacent backyard of the other queen Rukmini who was favourite of Lord Krishna. Satyabhama used to resent this.


Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. Oleaceae ETYMOLOGY: 'Nycta' means Night and 'Anthus' means flower in allusion to the nocturnal anthesis of the flowers. COMMON NAMES: Har singar, Coral Jasmine, Tree of Sorrow, Queen of the night • Hindi: हार शििंगार Har singar, ैफ़ाली Shefali, पाररजात Paarijat • Manipuri: Singarei • Tamil: பவிழமல்லி Pavizhamalli • Malayalam: Paarijatam പാരിജാതം• Sanskrit: पाररजात Paarijat. FOI: Har singar should not be confused with the West Indian shrub Cestrum nocturnum, also called queen of the night. Nyctanthes arbortristis literally means, night-blooming sad tree. Grows as large shrub or small tree depending on how it is trained. The large attractive leaves are rough and hairy. The sweet scented flowers are small, attractive with white petals and an orange-red tube in center and bloom profusely, opening at night and drop off in the morning, thus making a carpet of flowers in the morning. Used for worship. Needs warmth during winter months. Use well drained soil and fertilize once a month. MYTHOLOGY: Parijat, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, appears in several Hindu myths and is often related to the Kalpavriksha. In one myth, which appears in Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata and the Vishnu Purana, Parijat appeared as the result of the Samudra manthan (Churning of the Milky Ocean). Lord Krishna battled with Indra to win parijat. Further on his wife Satyabhama demanded the tree to be planted in the backyard of her palace. It so happened that in spite of having the tree in her backyard, the flowers used to fall in the adjacent backyard of the other queen Rukmini who was favourite of Lord Krishna. Satyabhama used to resent this.

04.07.13 228. Anand Amembal

Heliconia rostrata Ruiz & Pav. Heliconiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Greek Helicōnios, a mountain in Greece. COMMON NAME: Lobster claw, Hanging heliconia, False-bird-of-paradise FOI: Of all the Heliconias around you will probably be most familiar with this one. Heliconia rostrata is one of the most recognized and widely grown species, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it is still considered one of the most beautiful. Heliconia rostrata has a pendent inflorescence, the bracts are red with greenish yellow edges. Each bract resembles a lobster's claw, hence the common name. It is a very popular species, and one of the more common in cultivation. Heliconia rostrata is one of the most recognized and widely grown species, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it is still considered one of the most beautiful. The inflorescence it produces is one of the most colorful one will ever encounter. The mature plant normally starts to flower in the summer. The flowers last a long time and make an excellent cut flower. It is an easy grower in tropical areas but some room is required because the stalks can reach 7 feet in height. Heliconias are known to those who grow them as a host flower to many birds, especially the Hummingbird. Because of its unique characteristics, it is often used as a specimen for tropical gardens.


Abutilon persicum (Burm.f.) Merr. Malvaceae ETYMOLOGY: The name is a unique combination of Arabic and Greek. Abutilon, an Arabic word, meaning a mallow like plant COMMON NAME: Persian Mallow • Marathi: मदाम Madam • Malayalam: Thutthi • Kannada: Bettabendu gida • Konkani: Ran-Petari • Sanskrit: Atibala FOI: Persian Mallow is a large erect shrub, growing up to 1-2 m high. It has few slender branches. Ovate, irregularly toothed leaves are alternately arranged on the stems. Leaves are hairy beneath. Large, showy, 5-petalled, orange-yellow flowers are 5-8 cm across, and occur on recemes 30 cm long at the end of branches. The petals have purple lines at the base. Flowering: November-January.

02.07.13. 226. Balakrishnan Veeranchira

Sonerila rotundifolia Bedd. Melastomataceae ETYMOLOGY: From malayalam Name of this plant 'Soner ila' ENDEMIC TO SOUH WESTERN GHATTS FPK-KFRI: Stemless herbs. Leaves few, 6.5-8 cm across, orbicular, deeply cordate at base, crenate, 9-ribbed from base, pilose along the nerves, reddish brown, petiole to 12 cm long. Peduncle to 15 cm long, 8-10 flowered. Flowers 2.5 cm across, confined to the apex of the scape in scorpioidal cyme; pedicel 1 cm long, pink; sepals 1.5 x 3 mm, triangular; petals 12 x 9 mm, obovate, pink; anthers 6 mm long, acuminate, deeply cleft at base; filaments 7 mm long; style 11 mm long.


Neurocalyx calycinus (R.Br. ex Benn.) Rob. Rubiaceae ETYMOLOGY: Neuro Calyx; in allusion to the prominently veined calyx of this plant. FPK-KFRI:Large herbs, pubescent. Leaves to 26 x 7 cm, oblanceolate, acute at apex, rusty puberulus; nerves to 18 pairs, prominent below; stipule 2 cm long, obovate, 2-fid at apex. Racemes 10-13 cm long, axillary, rarely branched; bracts lanceolate. Flowers white, pedicelled; calyx tube hemispherical, lobes 5, 8 x 5 mm, ovate; corolla tube absent, lobes 5 x 3 mm, ovate, twisted; stamens 5, anthers connate into a conical tube; ovary 2-celled, ovules many, style slender. Capsule irregularly bursting, 4 x 4 mm; seeds many, pitted.

30.06.13 224. Lingaraj Hc

Careya arborea Roxb. Lecythidaceae ETYMOLOGY: In honour of Rev. William Carey (1761 – 1834) a distinguished botanist and Editor of Roxburgh's Flora Indica (1832). COMMON NAMES: Wild Guava, Ceylon Oak, Patana Oak • Hindi: कुम्भी Kumbhi • Marathi: कुम्भा Kumbha • Tamil: Aima, Karekku, Putatanni-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, কুম Kum, kumari, কুম্ভী kumbhi • Sanskrit: Bhadrendrani, धगररकर्णिका Girikarnika, Kaidarya, काशलिंदी Kalindi. FOI: 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.

29.06.13 223. Sivakumar Kolandaisamy V

Cordia sebestena L. Boraginaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named in Honour of Valerius Cordus (1515 – 1544) a German physician and botanist who authored one of the greatest pharmacopoeias and one of the most celebrated herbals in history. COMMON NAMES: Scarlet Cordia, Orange Geiger Tree, Sebesten plum, Geiger Tree • Hindi: लाल लिॊड़ा Lal Lasora, Bohari • Tamil: Aechinaruvihli • Telugu: Virigi • Kannada: Challekendala • Bengali: Kamla buhal, Raktarag. FOI:Scarlet cordia is a small shapely tree which grows up to be 25 feet tall and as wide. It is native to the northern coast of South America. This plant, on account of its large tubular scarlet flowers, is one of the most beautiful of the West Indian trees. This dense, rounded, evergreen native tree grows slowly to a height of 25 feet with an equal spread and can develop a trunk 12 inches thick. The large, seven-inch-long, stiff, dark green leaves are rough and hairy, feeling much like sandpaper. Appearing throughout the year, but especially in spring and summer, are dark orange, two-inch-wide flowers which appear in clusters at branch tips. The splendid flowers are followed by one to two-inch-long, pear-shaped fruits, which have a pleasant fragrance but are not particularly tasty.

28.06.13 222. Dakshina Murthy

Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. Rubiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek words 'Mitra' Means Cap and 'Gyna' Means Ovary may be in allusion to the Cap shaped ovary. COMMON NAME: Kaim • Hindi: कैम Kaim, कदम्ब Kadamb • Bengali: Gulikadam • Marathi: Kalam. FOI: Kaim is a tree native to India. Can be thought of the Indian cousin of the thai born Kratom (M. speciosa), more popular in the West. The Mitragyna genus is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Asian species of Mitragyna are often found in rainforests, while the African species are often found in swamps. Mitragyna species are used medicinally as well as for their fine timber throughout the areas they grow. Kaim reaches heights of 50 feet with a branch spread of over 15 feet. The stem is erect and branching. Flowers are yellow and grow in ball-shaped clusters. The flowers are very fragrant, and remind one of the better known Kadam flowers. Leaves are a dark green in color, smooth, rounded in shape, and opposite in growth pattern. USES: In Ayurvedic medicine the bark of the tree is used for blood-related diseases. In traditional medicine in the Indian subcontinent the bark and roots of the tree are used for fevers, colic, muscular pains, burning sensations in the stomach, poisoning, female problems, coughs, oedema and as an aphrodisiac.


Vateria indica L. Dipterocarpaceae ENDEMIC TO WESTERN GHATTS IUCN: Critically Endangered. ETYMOLOGY: In Honour of Abraham Vater (1684 – 1751) German anatomist. Vater is primarily known for his work in anatomy, but he also published works in the fields of chemistry, botany, pharmacology and gynaecology. COMMON NAME: White Damar, Indian Copal, Malabar tallow, Piney varnish • Hindi: Badasal • Kannada: Damar • Malayalam: Baine, Kunturukkam, Paenoe • Tamil: Dhupa maram, Painimaram, Vellaikundrikam. FOI: White Damar is a tall tree generally up to 40 m sometimes going up to 60 m. Bark is greyish, smooth; blaze cream. Young branchlets are round, hairy. Branches exude resinous substance. Leaves are simple, alternate, spirallly arranged. Stipules are caducous. Leaf-stalks are 2-3.5 cm, swollen at apex, nearly hairless. Leaves are 8-27 x 4.5-10 cm, elliptic-oblong, tip abruptly long-pointed or blunt, base rounded to somewhat heart-shaped, margin entire, leathery, hairless. Midrib is flat above; secondary nerves 13-20 pairs, curved near margin, impressed above. Flowers are borne in panicles in leaf axils, with dense stellate hairs. Flowers are white, anthers yellow. Capsule is pale brown, 3-valved, oblong, up to 6.4 x 3.8 cm, sepals persistent, reflexed, seed 1. White Damar is endemic to the Western Ghats South and Central Sahyadris. It is a common canopy to emergent trees in low and medium elevation wet evergreen forests, up to 1200 m.

26.06.13 220. Gurcharan Singh

Cassiope fastigiata (Wall.) D.Don Ericaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Queen Cassiopeia, wife of king Cepheus of Æthiopia, was beautiful but also arrogant and vain; these latter two characteristics led to her downfall. COMMON NAME: Himalayan Heather • Nepali: फालु Phallu. FOI: Himalayan Heather is a small branched tufted shrub which can grow to a foot high. Many stems are clustered together in parallel. Thick lance-like leaves are up to 5 mm long, many, in 4 ranks, overlapping with each other and stem-hugging, making the stems look like green chains. Flowers are like white bells, with short outward curving petals. Flowers are 6-8 mm long and pendulous. Sepals are brown and elliptic. Himalayan Heather is found in the Himalayas at altitudes of 2800-4500 m. Flowering: June-August.

25.06.13 219. Anand Amembal

Commelina suffruticosa Blume Commelinaceae ETYMOLOGY: The genus Commelina named for the three Commelijn brothers of Holland . Two were well-known botanists (represented by the 2 upper petals) and the third was not (represented by the third smaller petal). COMMON NAME: Shrubby Dayflower, Shrubby Spiderwort FOI: Shrubby Dayflower is a perennial herb with erect or rising smooth stems, up to more than 35 cm. Leaf sheaths are hairy in a line on 1 side. Leaf stalk is up to 1 cm long. Leaf blade is lance-shaped to ovate-lanceolate, 8-13 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, hairless on both surfaces. Involucral bracts are borne opposite leaves, broadly heart-shaped, open, about 1.6 × 1.1 cm when folded, sparsely puberulent, tip blunt. Small white flowers are borne in 4-flowered clusters, carried on stalk about 8 mm long. Flower stalks are about 3 mm, twisted in fruit. Sepals are about 4 mm, membranous. Petals are white, about 4 mm. Capsule is nearly round, 3.8-5 mm. Shrubby Dayflower is found in the eastern parts of Himalayas, and also the Western Ghats. RECENT STUDIES: SM Joseph and S Nampy in 2012 has studied the Capsule and Seed Morphology of Commelina L.(Commelinaceae) in Relation to Taxonomy. JP Gajurel and KK Shrestha in 2010 has described the Taxonomy of the genus Commelina Plum. ex L.(Commelinaceae) in Nepal.


Moringa oleifera Lam. Moringaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Tamil and Malayalam name of this Plant 'Muringa' COMMON NAME: Drumstick tree, Horseradish tree, Senjana िेंजन (Hindi), Muringai (Malayalam), முறுங்கை Murungai (Tamil),

Shevga ेवगा (Marathi), Mashinga म ीिंग (Konkani). FOI: Drumstick tree is a small, deciduous tree, of the family Moringaceae, native to tropical Asia but also naturalized in Africa and tropical America. Drumstick trees can reach a height of about 9 m (30 feet); they have corky gray bark, branching and fernlike leaves. Highly scented white flowers and long bean like seed pods. Seed pods are used as a vegetable, especially in south Indian cuisine, e.g. drumstick sambar. An excellent oil is derived from the seeds, which is used for cooking and lubrication of delicate mechanisms. The leaves are extensively used as a vegetable in many parts of the world, and the root can be made into a condiment similar to horseradish RECENT STUDIES: N Das et al in 2012 has proved that Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract prevents early liver injury and restores antioxidant status in mice fed with high-fat diet. AR Verma et al in 2009 has studied the In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of different fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves.


Solanum rudepannum Dunal Syn: Solanum torvum Sw. ETYMOLOGY: The name 'Solanum' could originate from the Latin verb solari, meaning "to soothe", presumably referring to the soothing pharmacological properties of some of the psychoactive species of the family. COMMON NAMES: Turkey Berry, susumber • Hindi: Bhurat, Bhankatiya • Marathi: Marang • Tamil: சுண்கைக்ைாய் Sundaikkai •

Malayalam: Anachunda • Telugu: Kottuvastu • Kannada: Sundekkayi • Bengali: Tita bagoon • Assamese: Bhi-tita • Sanskrit: ब्रह्टी Brihati FOI: Turkey berry is a broadleaved, evergreen, shrub or small tree, growing up to 16 ft tall. The stems are armed with stout, straight or lightly curved prickles. The alternate leaves are elliptical in shape, have prickles along the midvein, and range from unlobed to strongly lobed. The small, white flowers occur in large clusters. Fruit are small yellow berries with 210-220 seeds. Seeds ovate to broadly ovate, broadly elliptic, or nearly circular, infrequently C-shaped in outline. Once established, it can sprout from its roots, creating large thickets that could displace other vegetation. Turkey berry is found throughout the world’s tropical regions.


Galphimia glauca Cav. Malpighiaceae ETYMOLOGY: Galphimia is an anagram of Malpighia another closely related genus of the same family. COMMON NAMES: Slender goldshower, Thriallis, Rain of Gold, Spray of Gold. FOI: Slender goldshower is a small evergreen tropical shrub that grows to a maximum height of about 6 ft and about as wide. It grows moderately fast into a neat rounded shape with many slender stems that are reddish when young. This shrub forms a dense and twiggy mass covered in light green oblong leaves. These are arranged oppositely and are 1-2 in long and take on bronze tones during cooler periods. Slender goldshower smothers itself in beautiful yellow blossoms in late summer and fall although some flowers can be expected at all times if warm temperatures are maintained. The yellow flowers are about 3/4 in in diameter and are held in 4-6 in clusters at the stem tips. Flowers are followed by interesting three part seed capsules. Galphimia glauca is native to the tropical areas extending from Mexico to Guatemala in Central America.This shrub is one of the best for shearing into low hedges. RECENT STUDIES: A Herrera-Arellano et al in 2012 has studied the Therapeutic Effectiveness of Galphimia glauca vs. Lorazepam in Generalized Anxiety Disorder. A Controlled 15-Week Clinical Trial. W Dorsch et al in 2009 has studied the Antiasthmatic effects of Galphimia glauca, gallic acid, and related compounds prevent allergen-and platelet-activating factor-induced bronchial obstruction. Congratulations Sivakumar Kolandaisamy V

21.06.13 NO POSTINGS MADE DUE TO TECHNICAL REASONS 20.06.13 215. Sivakumar Kolandaisamy V

Lantana camara L Verbenaceae ETYMOLOGY: An ancient latin name of Viburnum, and applied to this genus by Linnaeus because of its apparent affinity. COMMON NAME: Lantana • Manipuri: সম্বল লল Samballei, Nongballei, থীরর Thirei • Hindi: Raimuniya राईमुननया • Tamil:

உன்னிச்சசடி Unnichedi • Marathi: Tantani तणतणी, Ghaneri घाणेरी • Kannada: Kakke, Natahu • Telugu: Pulikampa Salient features of Verbenaceae: Shrubs or trees, sometimes climbing shrubs, rarely herbs. Indumentum of simple, stellate, and/or other complex hairs. Leaves opposite or rarely whorled, without stipules, simple or 3-foliolate, less often palmately [or pinnately] compound. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, racemose, cymose, spicate, or thyrses. Flowers bisexual or polygamous by abortion, zygomorphic or rarely actinomorphic. Calyx persistent. Corolla 4- or 5- or more lobed; lobes usually spreading, aestivation overlapping. Fertile stamens inserted on corolla tube, alternate with lobes; filaments free; anthers dorsifixed, 1- or 2-locular, dehiscing by longitudinal slits or sometimes a circular pore. Ovary entire or 4-grooved, 2–8-locular; ovules 1 or 2 per locule, erect or pendulous. Style terminal, simple, entire or 2-cleft. Fruit a drupe or indehiscent capsule, sometimes breaking up into nutlets. Seeds (1 or) 2–4, endosperm usually absent, seed coat thin; embryo straight, as long as seed; radicle short, inferior. Features of plant : Shrubs with long weak branches, armed with stout recurved prickles, pubescent. Petiole 1-2 cm, pubescent; leaf blade ovate to oblong, 3-8.5 X 1.5-5 cm, papery, wrinkled, very rough, with short stiff hairs, aromatic when crushed, base rounded to subcordate, margin crenate; lateral veins 5 pairs, very prominent, elevated. Capitula terminal, 1.5-2.5 cm across. Flowers yellow or orange, often turning deep red soon after opening. Ovary glabrous. Drupes deep purple, globose, ca. 4 mm in diam. 2n = 44. L. camara as weed : It is an invasive species and has covered large areas in India, Australia and much of Africa. It colonizes new areas when its seeds are dispersed by birds. Once it reaches an area, L. camara spreads quickly. It coppices so well, that efforts to eradicate it have completely failed. It is resistant to fire, and quickly grows in and colonizes burnt areas. It has become a serious obstacle to the natural regeneration of important native species including the Saal Tree (Shorea robusta) in Southeast Asia, as well as plants in 22 other countries. In greenhouses, L. camara is notorious for attracting whitefly.In India they bear fruit all year round and this appears to have an impact on bird communities. It also has alleopathic effects which do not allow other plants to grow around

19.06.13 POSTED IMAGE 18.06.13 214. Venkat Vadva

Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume Orchidaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek "rhynchos" beak; "stylos" column in allusion to the beak like Column of this Genus COMMON NAME: Foxtail Orchid, Blunt Rhynchostylis • Hindi: द्रौपदी माला Draupadi mala • Manipuri: সমজীরৈ Samjirei • Marathi: गजरा Gajara, िीतेिी वेणी Seetechi veni • Konkani: Panas koli Salient features of family orchidaceae : Perennial, but sometimes short-lived, terrestrial, epiphytic, or lithophytic, autotrophic or rarely mycotrophic herbs (or rarely scrambling vines), with rhizomes, tubers, or rootstocks with mycorrhizal fungi in roots. Stems either sympodial or monopodial, usually leafy, but leaves sometimes reduced to bractlike scales, 1 or more internodes at base often swollen to form a "pseudobulb"; epiphytic species with aerial, photosynthesizing adventitious roots, often bearing 1 or more layers of dead cells (velamen). Leaves 1 to many, alternate or occasionally opposite, often distichous, sometimes terete or canaliculate, glabrous or very rarely hairy, frequently fleshy or leathery, base almost always sheathing, sometimes articulated, sometimes forming a false petiole, margin entire, apex often emarginate. Inflorescence basal, lateral, or terminal, erect to pendulous, racemose, spicate, subumbellate, or paniculate, 1- to many flowered, flowers rarely secund or distichously arranged. Flowers small to large, often quite showy, usually zygomorphic, very rarely ± actinomorphic, bisexual [very rarely monoecious and polymorphic], sessile or pedicellate, most often resupinate with pedicel and ovary twisted through 180°, occasionally not twisted or twisted through 360°. Ovary inferior, 1-locular, placentation parietal (or rarely 3-locular and placentation axile). Sepals usually free but sometimes variously adnate, median (dorsal) one often dissimilar to laterals, laterals sometimes adnate to a column foot to form a saccate, conic, or spurlike mentum. Petals free or rarely partly adnate to sepals, similar to sepals or not, often showy; lip entire, variously lobed or 2- or 3-partite, ornamented or not with calli, ridges, hair cushions, or crests, with or without a basal spur or nectary, margins entire to laciniate. Column short to long, with or without a basal foot, occasionally winged or with lobes or arms at apex or ventrally; anther mostly 1, less often 2 or 3, terminal or ventral on column, caplike or opening by longitudinal slits; pollen usually forming distinct pollinia, less often loose, pollinia 2, 4, 6, or 8, mealy, waxy, or horny, sectile or not, sessile or attached by stalks (caudicles or stipes) to 1 or 2 sticky viscidia; stigma 3-lobed, mid-lobe often modified to form a rostellum, other lobes either sunken on ventral surface of column behind anther or with 2 lobes porrect. Fruit a capsule, rarely berrylike, usually opening laterally by 3 or 6 slits. Seeds very numerous, dustlike, lacking endosperm, rarely winged. Rhynchostylis retusa : SYNONYMS : Epidendrum retusum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 953. 1753; Aerides retusa (Linnaeus) Swartz; Gastrochilus retusus (Linnaeus) Kuntze; Limodorum retusum (Linnaeus) Swartz; Saccolabium retusum (Linnaeus) Voigt. Stems ascending, usually 3-10 cm, 1-2 cm in diam., enclosed in leaf sheaths. Leaves broadly lorate, 20-40 × 2-4 cm, unequally bilobed. Inflorescences 1-3, pendulous, 30-40 cm, densely many flowered; rachis 20-30 cm, thick; floral bracts reflexed, broadly ovate, 3-4 mm. Flowers unscented, 1.7-2.3 cm in diam., sepals and petals white and spotted with pink or pale purple, lip purplish pink, apex white, spur white; pedicel and ovary 7-10 mm. Dorsal sepal elliptic, 7-11 × 4.2-5 mm, obtuse; lateral sepals obliquely oblong, 7-11 × 4.5-5.5 mm, base adnate to column foot, apex obtuse. Petals narrowly oblong, 7-7.5 × 2.5-3 mm, obtuse; lip often conduplicate, oblong-spatulate, 810 × 5-6 mm, rounded, apiculate, or slightly retuse, spurred; spur laterally compressed, 6-8 mm, rounded. Column ca. 4 mm, foot ca. 2 mm; stipe ca. 2.2 mm, linear, dilated and capitate; viscidium oblanceolate, ca. 1.8 × 0.6 mm. Capsule obovoid or subclavate, ca. 2.5 × 1.3 cm. Fl. May-Jun, fr. Jun-Jul. 2n = 38. Epiphytic on tree trunks in open forests or at forest margins; 300-1500 m Epiphytic on Terminalia, Mangifera, Syzygium etc


Tribulus terrestris L. Zygophyllaceae ETYMOLOGY: The Greek word, τρίβολος meaning 'water-chestnut', translated into Latin as tribulos. The Latin name tribulus originally meant the caltrop (a spiky weapon), In allusion to the Structure of Fruits. COMMON NAMES: Puncture Vine, Caltrop, Yellow Vine, Goathead • Hindi: Gokharu गोखरू • Urdu: Gokhru • Bengali: Gokhru kanta • Telugu: Cinnpalleru • Tamil: பல்லலரு முள்ளு palleru-mullu • Malayalam: Nerinnii. FOI: Puncture Vine is an obnoxious weed whose seeds are incredibly painful to step on, they easilly puncture your bicycle tires, and sometimes have to be pulled out of your pets' paws. It is a taprooted herbaceous perennial plant that grows as a summer annual in colder climates. The stems radiate from the crown to a diameter of about 10 cm to over 1 m, often branching. They are usually prostrate, forming flat patches, though they may grow more upwards in shade or among taller plants. The leaves are pinnately compound with leaflets less than a quarter-inch long. The flowers are 4-10 mm wide, with five lemon-yellow petals. A week after each flower blooms, it is followed by a fruit that easily falls apart into four or five single-seeded nutlets. The nutlets or "seeds" are hard and bear two sharp spines, 10 mm long and 4-6 mm broad point-to-point. These nutlets strikingly resemble goats' or bulls' heads; the "horns" are sharp enough to puncture bicycle tyres and to cause considerable pain to unshod feet. MEDICINAL USES: Tribulus is mentioned in ancient Indian Ayurvedic medical texts dating back thousands of years. Tribulus has been widely used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of sexual dysfunction and various urinary disorders. The Greeks used Tribulus Terrestris as a diuretic. In China and Vietnam it has been used in the treatment of post-partum hemorrhage, epistaxis and gastro intestinal bleeding. Tribulus terrestris is being promoted as a testosterone booster for the purpose of building muscle and increasing sex drive. It does not work like DHEA and androstenedione 100, which are progenitors of testosterone. Instead, claims have been made that it enhances testosterone levels by increasing luteinizing hormone levels.

16.06.13 212: Venkat Vadva

Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. Zingiberaceae ETYMOLOGY: The genus is named for Prospero Alpini(1553-1617) a 17th-century Italian botanist who specialized in exotic plants.His bestknown work is De Plantis Aegypti liber (Venice, 1592). This work introduced a number of plant species previously unknown to European botanists. COMMON NAMES: Tamil: chittarattai; Malayalam: Chittaratha ചിറ്റരത്ത. WIKI: The plant grows from rhizomes in clumps of stiff stalks up to two meters in height with abundant long leaves which bears red fruit. It is native to South Asia and Indonesia. It is cultivated in Malaysia, Laos, and Thailand. A. galanga is the galangal used most often in cookery. The robust rhizome has a sharp, sweet taste and smells like a blend of black pepper and pine needles. The red fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine and has a flavor similar to cardamom.It is used with another root called athi-mathuram (Glycyrrhiza glabra) as folk cure for colds and sore throats. Culinary uses: The rhizome is a common ingredient in Thai curries and soups, where is used fresh in chunks or cut into thin slices, mashed and mixed into curry paste. Indonesian rendang is usually spiced with galangal. Medicinal uses:The rhizome is an abortifacient. It has carminative, antituberculosis and stimulant properties. Ground rhizome is also used in the treatment of skin infections such as eczema, ringworm, etc. The rhizome has been shown to have weak antimalarial activity in mice.


Delonix regia (Hook.) Raf. Caesalpiniaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek words 'Delos' means Conspicuous and 'onyx' means Claw may in allusion to the Conspicous clawed petals or the resembalnce of the Calyx of opened flower to the claws. COMMON NAME: Flame Tree, Royal Poinciana • Hindi: Gulmohar गल ु मोहर • Bengali: Krishnachura • Kannada: Kempu torai• Malayalam: vaaka, വാക. Gulmohar ഗുല്‍മാഹര്‍. FOI: Discovered in the early 19th century in its native Madagascar by botanist Wensel Bojer, Gulmohar is a flamboyant tree in flower some say the world's most colorful tree. For several weeks in spring and summer it is covered with exuberant clusters of flame-red flowers, 4-5 in across. Even up close the individual flowers are striking: they have four spoon shaped spreading scarlet or orange-red petals about 3 in long, and one upright slightly larger petal (the standard) which is marked with yellow and white. The delicate, fern-like leaves are composed of small individual leaflets, which fold up at the onset of dusk. Gulmohar gets 30-40 ft tall, but its elegant widespreading umbrella-like canopy can be wider than its height. Gumohar is naturalized in India and is widely cultivated as a street tree. RECENT STUDIES: M Rahman et al 2011 has studied the Effect Of Delonix Regia Leaf Extract On Glucose Tolerance In Glucoseinduced Hyperglycemic Mice. MA Khan et al in 2012 has studied the wound healing activity of Delonix regia flowers in experimental animal models. G Shabir et al in 2011 has studied the Antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes and phenolics of different solvent extracts from leaves, flowers and bark of this plant.


Plumeria pudica Jacq. Apocynaceae ETYMOLOGY: The genus, originally spelled Plumeria, is named in honor of the seventeenth-century French botanist Charles Plumier, who traveled to the New World documenting many plant and animal species. COMMON NAMES: Wild Plumeria, Bridal bouquet, White frangipani, Fiddle leaf plumeria FOI: Wild Plumeria an evergreen species of Plumeria native to Panama, Colombia and Venezuela. It is a shrub which usually has one or two slender trunks that branch close to the ground forming a dense slightly spreading crown. Leaves are dark green and unique fiddleshaped, or spoon-shaped. Large clusters of bright white 3 inch flowers with small yellow centers cover this tree as a beautiful bouquet, hence the common name. The flowers are not fragrant. The plant looks attractive even when it is not flowering, because of its beautiful leaves.

13.06.13 210. Bhagyashri Ranade

Anthurium andraeanum Linden ex André Araceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek Words 'Anthos' means flower and 'oura' means tail in allusion to the tail like spadic of this plant. COMMON NAME: Flamingo flower, Tail flower, Painter's palette FOI: Anthurium, pronounced an-THOO-ree-um, are once-seen, never-forgotten flowers. Their unmistakable glossy heart-shaped bright red flower bract (which gives them their popular name of painter's palette) surrounds the true flowers, which are in the form of a spike (or spathe) at the centre. Anthuriums come in shades of reds, pinks, white, lilac, green and chocolate brown. A tropical perennial herb growing up to 20" tall; it has dark green heart-shaped leathery leaves and a green stem. The seeds are small subglobose berries. The flower bracts have a puckered appearance and shine as though they were varnished. Anthuriums will bloom more or less continuously, each plant having four to six flowers during the year. Each flower will last about six weeks on the plant or several weeks when cut and placed in a vase of water. USES: Ornamental, also as Cutflower.

12.06.13 209. Rajesh Sachdev

Arisaema murrayi (J.Graham) Hook. Araceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek 'Aris' means Arum and 'haema' means realted, meaning realted to arum, in allusion to its similarity with Arum. COMMON NAMES: Murray's Cobra Lily • Marathi: पािंढरा िापकािंदा Pandhra sap-kanda FOI: Murray's Cobra Lily is a species of Cobra Lily found in the Western Ghats. It is a tuberous herb, 30-50 cm high. A single leaf, with 5-7 leaflets, comes out after the flowers. The inflorescence is typical of the cobra lily plants. The spathe (or the "hood") is 5-15 cm, forming wide tube at the base, The upper part of the spathe is white with purple base. The lower part is green. A deep purple threadlike appendage comes out from the spadix. It is curved and protrudes out of the "hood". Minute flowers reside on the spadix, covered by the spathe.

11.06.13 208. Venkat Vadva

Terminalia chebula Retz. Combretaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Latin terminus meaning "boundary" and describes the concentration of the foliage at the very end of the twigs in many species of this genus. COMMON NAME: Chebulic Myrobalan, Myrobalan • Hindi: हराि Harra, हरड़ Harad • Manipuri: মনাহী Manahi • Marathi: Hirad • Tamil: kaDukkaay • Malayalam: Katukka • Telugu: Nallakaraka • Kannada: Halle • Bengali: Haritaki • Oriya: Karedha • Konkani: Ordo • Assamese: Hilika • Sanskrit: Kayastha, Jivapriya Chebulic Myrobalan is a flowering evergreen tree called in English the Myrobalan or sometimes the Chebulic Myrobalan. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and the adjacent areas such as Pakistan, Nepal and the south-west of China stretching as far south as Kerala or even Sri Lanka where is called Aralu. This tree yields smallish, ribbed and nut-like fruits which are picked up when still green and then pickled, boiled with a little added sugar in their own syrup or used in preserves or concotions. The seed of the fruit, which has an eliptical shape, is an abrasive pit enveloped by a fleshy and firm pulp. Chebulic Myrobalan can reach heights of 20 meters. USES: In Hindi it is called Harad, Haritaki, or Harada, respectively 'Inknut'. In Urdu it is called 'Hareer'. In Sri Lanka it is called Aralu. In Marathi it is called as 'Hirada', in Kannada it is called 'Alalekaayi', in Tamil it is called 'Kadukkai' and in Malayalam it is known as 'Kadukka'. In Bengali it is called horitoky. In Assamese it is called silikha. In Telugu it is called 'Karakkaya'. In the United States it is found in some Indian stores; it is known as 'Harde Whole'. MEDICINAL USES: Chebulic Myrobalan is highly regarded as the 'king of medicines' in the Ayur-Vedic Medicine. It is reputed to cure blindness and it is believed to inhibit the growth of the malignant tumours. It is allegedly also a powerful detox agent.


Tridax procumbens (L.) L. Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: Three toothed, referring to the structure of its ray florets or Perhaps alluding to 3-lobed leaf blades. COMMON NAMES: Tridax Daisy, Coat Buttons, Mexican Daisy • Hindi: Khal-muriya, Tal-muriya • Tamil: Vettukkaaya-thalai • Telugu: Gaddichamanthi • Kannada: Sanna gida. FOI: This pretty daisy-like flower is very common all over the plains of northern India. Tridax daisy stands about 30-60 cm high and has slightly hairy stems. The leaves are ovate or lanceolate with toothed edges. The small creamy or white flower has five petals which are notched on the outer edges. The centre of the flower is yellow. This plant has flowers all the year around, but from May to December is the time that it is fully in bloom. It is found along paths, roadsides and in the crevices of walls and rocks. It is a great favourite with low flying butterflies. In the areas where there is a great concentration of these flowers one will find plenty of butterflies too. WIKI: The plant bears daisylike yellow-centered white or yellow flowers with three-toothed ray florets. The leaves are toothed and generally arrowhead-shaped. Its fruit is a hard achene covered with stiff hairs and having a feathery, plumelike white pappus at one end. Calyx is represented by scales or reduced to pappus. The plant is invasive in part because it produces so many of these achenes, up to 1500 per plant, and each achene can catch the wind in its pappus and be carried some distance. This weed can be found in fields, meadows, croplands, disturbed areas, lawns, and roadsides in areas with tropical or semi-tropical climates. USES: Tridax procumbens is known for several potential therapeutic activities like antiviral, anti oxidant antibiotic efficacies, wound healing activity, insecticidal and anti-inflammatory activity. Some reports from tribal areas in India state that the leaf juice can be used to cure fresh wounds, to stop bleeding, as a hair tonic. Despite these known benefits, it is still listed in the United States as a Noxious Weed and regulated under the Federal Noxious Weed Act. RECENT STUDIES: DB Johnson and A Gorle 2012 has Evaluated the effect of of Ethanolic Extract of Tridax procumbens Linn on Wound Healing in Rats. J Zhang et al in 2012 has studied the Antioxidant Activity of Ethanol Extracts from Tridax procumbens. SM Jachak et al in 2011 has studied the Anti-inflammatory, cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of standardized extracts of it.


Bauhinia acuminata L. Caesalpiniaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named after the legendary Bauhin twins Jean Bauhin (1541–1612) and Gaspard Bauhin (1560–1624), Swiss botanists; Linnaeus has given this name alluding to the twin leaflets of this genus sticking together. COMMON NAMES: Dwarf White orchid tree, Dwarf white bauhinia • Hindi: िफ़ेद किनार Safed Kachnar • Manipuri: ধ ঙথ্ৰাও অচঙৌবা Chingthrao angouba • Tamil: சவள்கை மந்தாகை Vellai mandaarai • Malayalam: Vella Mandaaram വവള്ള മന്ദാരം•

Kannada: Kanchan • Assamese: Mati-katota • Sanskrit: श वमल्ली Sivamalli. FOI: The dwarf white bauhinia is native to Asia. This is a perfect little tree for places where you don't want anything wild to take over. It will grow no more than two or three meters, and won't take up much space or get in anyone's way. It really is quite inoffensive. Beautiful white flowers cover this tree in spring and fill the air with a sweet clean fragrance. The white flowers look like snowflakes hanging on the branches. Sometimes it is called Snowy Orchid Tree. The leaves are shaped a little like a cow's hoof. RECENT STUDIES: V Vasudevan and J Mathew in 2013 has reported the Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Bauhinia acuminata Leaves. M Akhter in 2012 has described the methods for micropropagation of this plant. K Phansri et al in 2011 has studied the Antibacterial activity of Bauhinia acuminata L. seed protein extract with low hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes.


Cyclea peltata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson Menispermaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek 'Cycle' means circular, in allusion to the circular seeds. COMMON NAMES: Raj Patha • Hindi: राज पाठा Raj Patha • Kannada: paduvala balli, phalani • Malayalam: pada-kelengu, patakkilannu • Marathi: थोरली पाडावळ Thorali Padval, मोठी पहाडवेल Mothi pahadvel • Sanskrit: बह ृ त ् पाठा Bruhat Patha, akaisika, ambastha, ambasthaki • Tamil: malaitanki, ponmucuttai • Telugu: patatige, paatathige. FOI: It is a slender twining shrub, frequently climbing up on tall trees. Leaves are alternate, heart shaped, 2.5-10 cm long, 2.5-3.75 cm broad, stipule 5-10 cm long and nerves 7-11. The flowers are unisexual, pale yellow, in panicles occurring in leaf axils. The fruits are ovoid drupes, brown or scarlet in color. The seeds are covered. The roots are tuberous, cylindrical, irregularly curved, with grayish brown surface. The plant blooms in the rainy season. MEDICINAL USES: The roots of patha have great medicinal value and are used for medicinal purpose, both, internally as well as externally. External application of the paste of its roots and leaves is extremely beneficial, in infected wounds, sinuses, and skin diseases like erysipelas and pruritus. The external application of this paste is said to be useful in serpant bite also. The root juice is salutary in headache, as nasal drops. The roots have anti-inflammatory activity and hence alleviated the edema. Patha is a valuable wound healer and antidermatosis herb.


Artemisia absinthium L. Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: Artemisia comes from Ancient Greek Godess from Artemis (Ἄρτεμις). She was the Hellenic goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity and protector of young girls, bringing and relieving disease in women. In allusion to the Medicinal Properties of this plant. COMMON NAMES: Wormwood, bsinthium, green ginger, madderwort • Hindi: vilayati afsantin • Kannada: urigattige, uruvalu, davana • Malayalam: nilampala, shulabandha, tirunitri-pachcha • Marathi: serpana, surpan, surapeena • Sanskrit: damar, indhana • Tamil: macipattiri, macippaccai • Telugu: moshipatri, tartiha • Urdu: afsanteen, qaisoom. USES: It is an ingredient in the spirit absinthe, and is used for flavouring in some other spirits and wines, including bitters, vermouth and pelinkovac. In the Middle Ages, it was used to spice mead. In 18th century England, wormwood was sometimes used instead of hops in beer. MEDICINAL USES: Its use has been claimed to remedy indigestion and gastric pain, it acts as an antiseptic, and as a febrifuge. For medicinal use, the herb is used to make a tea for helping pregnant women during pain of labor. A dried encapsulated form of the plant is used as an anthelmintic.


Duranta erecta L. Verbenaceae ETYMOLOGY: The genus Duranta is named after the fifteenth century Italian botanist, Castore Durantes (1529 - 1590) was a physician, botanist and poet Italian of the Renaissance. COMMON NAMES: Variegated Sky Flower, Duranta, Honey drops, Golden Dewdrop, Pigeon Berry, Nilkanta नीलकािंता (Hindi), Samban-lei Mana Arangba (Manipuri). FOI: This is a form of sky flower with variegated leaves - these do not bloom so profusely and are usually grown primarily for their foliage. However, beautiful lavender-blue flowers do appear in loose clusters on this plant. Flowers have a mild sweet vanilla-like smell. Duranta requires frequent pruning to make a bushy plant, especially when used as a hedge, and needs full sun to bloom well. This is a popular hedge plant in Manipur - infact, the Manipuri name literally means fence flower. In Manipur, this plant has been used to grow the world's tallest topiary. USES: It’s great as a beautiful and fragrant hedge or screen (borders). Since it flowers young, it’s excellent as a lovely container plant on the patio, deck or garden porch! It can easily be trained as a bonsai or topiary for decorative purposes. It can also be grown on a trellis as a semi-vine. Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds especially the hummingbirds as a nectar plant.

05.06.13 202. Venkat Vadava

Phyllodium pulchellum (L.) Desv. Syn: Desmodium pulchellum (L.) Benth. Papilionaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek Words 'Phyllon' means leaf and 'odes' means like, in allusion to the leaf like bracts substending the floral clusters giving an appearance of the the flowering branchlets covered with leaves. COMMON NAME: Showy Desmodium • Assamese: Ursi • Hindi: Jatsalpan • Kannada: Jenukaddi, Kadumuduru, Kadunhuralite • Malayalam: Kattumutira കാട്ടുമുതിര, Katumudura • Oriya: Salaparni • Sanskrit: Lodhrah, Lodram • Tamil: Vellalothi • Telugu: Karrantinta, Kondontinta, Sarivi. FOI: Showy Desmodium is an erect undershrub, 0.5-1.5 m tall. Leaves are 3-foliate. Leaflets are finely hairy beneath, the middle one being oblong, 8-13 cm long and more than twice as large as the lateral ones. Flowers are white and about 6 mm long, hidden by large circular green bracts which are 1-1.5 cm in diameter. Stamens are 10, upper one free, other 9 united. Inflorescence is 8-25 cm long, and occurs in leaf axils and at the end of branches. Pods are oblong, hairy and usually of 2, rarely 1- or 3 jointed. MEDICINAL USES: Showy Desmodium is used in folk medicine in cold and fever, malaria, excessive menstrual flow. Leaves are applied to ulcers. Decoction of bark is used for diarrhea, eye afflictions. Decoction of flowers is used for bile and liver afflictions. Flowering: September-October.


Oxalis latifolia Kunth Oxalidaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek word 'Oxys' Meaning acid alluding to the sourness of the leaves of this Genus. COMMON NAMES: Wood Sorrel, Broadleaf woodsorrel, Mexican oxalis • Hindi: खट् शमट्ठी Khatmitthi • Manipuri: Yensil. FOI: There are more than 800 species of woodsorrels or "shamrocks." Most have clover-like leaves with three leaflets, sour tasting foliage (from the oxalic acid), and flowers and leaves that close up at night. Broadleaf woodsorrel has distinctly triangular leaflets, white or pinkish flowers with green throats, and grows from a thickened, bulblike taproot. It has no stems at all. Instead, the 8-10 in leaf petioles and flower pedicels arise directly from the rootstock. The leaflets are like equilateral triangles, about 2 in on a side and smooth bright green. The five-petaled, funnel-shaped flowers are about 1 in across and borne in loose, open clusters throughout the whole summer and fall. Broadleaf woodsorrel spreads readily from underground runners and forms a ground cover in moist, shady areas. Wood sorrels occur naturally on all continents.


Humboldtia brunonis Wall. Caesalpiniaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named after Alexander von Humboldt (1769 – 1859) a Prussian geographer, naturalist and explorer. Humboldt's quantitative work on botanical geography laid the foundation for the field of biogeography. COMMON NAMES: Malayalam>Adimundan, Rakthapushpam FPK-KFRI: Trees, to 15 m high, bark reddish-brown, smooth; branchlets solid, glabrous. Leaves paripinnate, alternate; stipules lateral, ovate, acute, prominently veined, glabrous, appendages falcate, rounded, veined, persistent; rachis 10-12 cm long, pulvinate, obcordately winged between leaflets, glabrous; leaflets 6-12, opposite, estipellate, when lowest pair absent, a joint corresponding to its position present; petiolule 3-5 mm, stout, glabrous; lamina 7.5-25 x 1.5-6 cm, oblong-lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, base unequal or obtuse, margin entire, glabrous, chartaceous; lateral nerves 7-10 pairs, pinnate, arched, prominent, intercostae reticulate, prominent. Flowers bisexual, 7 mm long, pinkish, in corymbs on tubercles on stem and old branches, tawny velvety; pedicels 1.4-1.7 cm long, brown velvety; bracts ovate, acute, densely brown tomentose on both surface, fugacious; bracteoles 2, connate almost throughout when young, ovate-oblong, obtuse or rounded at apex, densely brown tomentose on both surface, gland present towards apex without, fugacious; calyx tube 1.4 cm long, obconical, brown tomentose, lined by the disc, persistent; lobes 4, subequal, crimson, imbricate; petals 5, white with pink veins, 3 longer and 2 shorter, clawed, obovate, obtuse to rounded at apex, sparsely pilose within, glabrous with out, sometimes a brown gland present in the middle within, fugacious; stamens 5, free, alternating with 5 minute staminodes; filaments broad at base, pilose; anthers versatile, shortly apiculate at one end; ovary half inferior, stipitate, obliquely oblong, densely pilose; ovules 4-6; style filiform, long, pilose; stigma capitate. Fruit a pod 8-11 x 2-2.5 cm, flat, oblong, velvety brown pubescent, bright red or crimson, dehiscent; sutures thick, valves prominently veined; seeds 3-5. RECENT STUDIES: M Shenoy et al in 2012 has studied the Composition of extrafloral nectar influences interactions between the myrmecophyte Humboldtia brunonis and its ant associates. SA Dev et al in 2010 has analysed the Genetic and clonal diversity of it in the Western Ghats.


Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm. Polypodiaceae ETYMOLOGY: In allusion to the dry pocket like fronts of this epiphytic plant. COMMON NAMES:English; Basket Fern, Kannada; Kage Rekkeoak-leaf fern, pakpak lawin, gurar, koi hin, ashvakatri, or uphatkaru DESCRIPTION: Rhizome 2 cm thick, the younger portions densely covered with dark brown scales. Scales of about 2 cm long, base peltate, narrowing to the apex and edge finely toothed. Nest fronds to 40 x 30 cm, lobed with the lobes broad and rounded. Foliage fronds with stipe of about 30 cm long, lamina to 100 x 40 cm, lobes to about 1 cm from the midrib and oblique. Sori in a regular row on each side of the main vein, round and 2 mm wide. USES: Drynaria is primarily used for its ability to heal damaged bones and connective tissues. It is used to help heal broken bones, sprains, bruises, stress fractures, weak loins and knees, and it is also used as a tonic for recuperation from other injuries. Drynaria is used in treatments for tooth-related maladies, such as toothache and bleeding gums, as well as for tinnitus of the ears. Its focus on the kidney and liver channels inspires its use in tonifying the kidneys, curbing diarrhea, and promoting tissue regeneration. When used topically, it is said to stimulate hair growth.


Vanda tessellata (Roxb.) Hook. ex G.Don Orchidaceae ETYMOLOGY: The name came from the Sanskrit word vandara, meaning “trapping” or ”sticky"; In allusion to the epiphytic habit of the plants. COMMON NAME: Checkered Vanda, Vanda Orchid • Bengali: rasna • Hindi: वािंदा Vanda, Nai, perasara • Kannada: bandanike, badanika, jkeevanthige • Marathi: aasna • Oriya: ilkum • Sanskrit: atirasa, bhujangakshi, chhatraki, dronagandhika • Tamil: kantanakuli • Telugu: chittiveduri, kanapabandanika • Urdu: Banda FOI: Checkered Vanda is a medium to large sized, warm growing epiphytic orchid, with a climbing stem. Leaves are linear, narrow, 3toothed at the tip. The plant blooms on a sub-erect, 15-50 cm long inflorescence carrying 5 to 12, fragrant, long-lived flowers. Flowers are 4-5 cm across. The sepals and petals have undulating margins and are pale green, yellowish green or somewhat bluish with checkered lines of olive-brown on the inner surface. The outer surface is white, while the lip is violet-purple with a white margin, and usually deeper purple towards the tip. It is used in the Malayasian Penninsula as a cure-all by drinking the juice from the compressed plant. Checkered Vanda is found in the Chinese Himalayas, Assam India, Bangladesh, Himalayas, India, Sri Lanka and Myanamar at elevations of 1500 m. USES: WIKI: In Yunani system root is used as tonic to the liver and brain ; good for bronchitis, piles, lumbago toothache, boils of the scalp; lessens inflammation; heals fractures. The root is said to be fragrant, bitter and useful in rheumatism and allied disorder, in which it is prescribed in a variety of forms. It also enters the composition of several medicated oils for external application in rheumatism and diseases of the nervous system. In Chota Nagpur, the leaves pounded into a paste is applied to the body during fever. A compound decoction of this root is being administered in a case of Hemiplegia as the Indian physicians consider it useful in all nervous diseases and rheumatism. The leaves are pounded and the paste is applied to the body to bring down fever; their juice is dropped in the ear for the treatment of Otitis media and other inflammatory conditions. The roots are used in Dyspepsia, Bronchitis, Rheumatism, and also in fever; they are reported to possess antibacterial and antitubercular properties. The roots are used in the preparation of medicated oils, used externally in rheumatism and nervous troubles. The herb is also used for Sciatica. The leaves are used by the Santal girls for making anklets. RECENT STUDIES: A Subramoniam and A Gangaprasad in 2013 has described a A novel aphrodisiac compound from it and that activates nitric oxide synthases. SM Khasim and G Ramesh in 2010 has conducted Molecular and Morphological Studies in it. MS Rahman et al in 2009 has described the In vitro micropropagation protocole from shoot tip explant.


Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn. Lecythidaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named in Honour of Daines Barrington FRS, FSA (1728 – 1800) an English lawyer, antiquary and naturalist whose notable works include "Experiments and Observations on the Singing of Birds"and "Essay on the Language of Birds". COMMON NAMES: Barringtonia, Freshwater Mangrove, Indian Oak, Indian Putat • Assamese: Hendol, Hinyol, Pani amra • Bengali: Hijal • Hindi: Hijagal, Hijjal, िमुन्द्द्र फल, Samundarphal • Kannada: Mavinkubia, Niruganigily, Dhatripala • Malayalam: Attampu, Attupelu, Nir perzha • Marathi: Tiwar, Newar, Sathaphala, Samudraphala • Oriya: Nijhira • Sanskrit: Abdhiphala, Ambudhiphala, अम्बुज Ambuja •

Tamil: Aram, Kadambu, Kadappai, ஸமுத்திைப்பழம samudra pazham • Telugu: Kurpa • Urdu: Samandarphal. Barringtonia is an evergreen tree of moderate size, called by Sanskrit writers Hijja or Hijjala. The fruit is spoken of as Samudra-phala and Dhātriphala or ”nurse’s fruit,” and is one of the best known domestic remedies. Also called Stream Barringtonia or Itchy Tree (after a catepillar with irritant hairs that sometimes colonises the undersides of the leaves) Barringtonia is a tree 5-8 m tall with rough fissured dark grey bark. Leaves are obovate. Red flowers are produced on pendulous racemes about 20cm long. Four sided fruits are produced periodically throughout the year. Partly deciduous in extended dry periods. This species grows on the banks of freshwater rivers, the edges of freshwater swamps and lagoons and on seasonally flooded lowland plains, commonly on heavy soils. Found in Madagascar and tropical Asia, amongst other places. Propagation is by seed. Tolerant of heavy clay soils with poor drainage, it can grow in a range of soils. MEDICINAL USES: This tree has long been used for medicine, timber and as a fish poison. In traditional medicine, when children suffer from a cold in the chest, the seed is rubbed down on a stone with water and applied over the sternum, and if there is much dyspnoea a few grains with or without the juice of fresh ginger are administered internally and seldom fail to induce vomiting and the expulsion of mucus from the air passages. More recently it has become the focus of research for pain-killing compounds. RECENT STUDIES: PJ Lakshmi et al 2013 has analysed the Anticancer potentials of secondary metabolites from endophytes of Barringtonia acutangula and its molecular characterization. M Florida et al in 2012 has shown that leaf extract of this plant is capable of inducing programmed cell death on cancer cells. S Mishra et al 2011 has analysed the Hepatoprotective effect of its leaves on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in rats.


Sterculia guttata Roxb. Sterculiaceae ETYMOLOGY: Sterculia comes from Latin "Stercus" which indicates excrements and of Sterculius, the Roman God of toilets, in reference to the unpleasant smell emitted by the inflorescences of Sterculia foetida. COMMON NAMES: Spotted Sterculia • Hindi: हहररक Hirik • Marathi: कूकर Kukar, Goldar • Tamil: ைவலம் Kavalam • Malayalam: കിതവകാന്ഡീ Kithkondi • Kannada: Happu savaga • Konkani: Kuhimdar • Assamese: ধহধৈখ Hirikh. FOI: Spotted Sterculia is a tree with a straight trunk. Leaves are hairless above, velvety beneath, oblong-ovate acute or acuminate. Leaf base is rounded or nearly heart-shaped. Flower panicles are sparingly branched. Flower-buds are spherical. Flowers are chiefly male. Sepal tube 1/3 inches densely rusty hairy outside, glandular within, bell-shaped, divided into 5; segments broadly ovate-acute, ultimately reflexed, covered with long hairs. Flowers are yellow, with purple glands on the inside of the petals. Anthers 12, Ovary stalked, spherical, 3-5-lobed. Style curved, stigma 3-5 lobed. Follicles 1-5, size of a small apple, each about 3 inches, obovoid, covered with reddish down, smooth, pink within. Flowering: December. RECENT STUDIES: SR Katade et al in 2009 has studies CNS depressant activity of ethanol extract of Sterculia guttata seeds in mice.


Connarus monocarpus L. Connaraceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek name "konnaros" for a kind of prickly evergreen (Christ's-thorn) tree in the same genera. COMMON NAMES: Indian Zebrawood • Kannada: Torolakka • Malayalam: Perim-churigil, Naikuriel, Shevanarvembu • Marathi: Sumdari, Sundar • Tamil: Chettupulukodi. FOI: Indian Zebrawood is a large shrub or small tree. Leaves are compound with 1-2 pairs of elliptic-lanceshaped leaflets, 7-10 cm long, 34.5 cm wide. Leaves are long-pointed, rounded or narrow at the base. Flowers are crowded in erect pyramidal, densely velvety panicles, at the end of branches. Flowers are white, with ovate-oblong, densely velvet-hairy sepals. Petals are longer than the sepals, linearoblong, more or less velvety. Stamens are 10, ovaries 5, densely velvety, and a slender style. Seed-pods are bright scarlet, 3-5 cm long, tapering into a narrow stalk, surrounded by the sepals. Seeds are ovoid, 2.5-3 cm long. Flowering: February-March.


Chamaecostus cuspidatus (Nees & Mart.) C.Specht & D.W.Stev. Syn: Costus igneus N.E.Br. Zingiberaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek chamae (χαμαι) = low to the ground or creeping in allusion to the low habit and “Costus” in Greek means “from the East” referring to India from where this Genera is belived to be originated. COMMON NAME: Insulin Plant WIKI: This plant has large fleshy looking leaves. The undersides of these large, smooth, dark green leaves have light purple shade. The leaves are spirally arranged around the stem, forming attractive, arching clumps arising from underground rootstocks. The maximum height of these plants is about two feet. The flowers are orange in color and are beautiful, 1.5-inch diameter. Flowering occurs during the warm months. And they appear to be cone-like heads at the tips of branches. USES: It is known as "plant insulin" as it would have the virtue of promoting the production 'of insulin by the body humain.Par also the aqueous extract of this plant would prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones by inhibitory effects on plant growth crystals of calcium oxalate.


Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers. Papilionaceae ETYMOLOGY: The generic name Sesbania is derived from sesban, the Arabic name for Sesbania sesban (syn S. aegyptiaca) COMMON NAMES: Agati • Hindi: गाछ मूिंगा Gaach-munga, Hathya, अगस्तत Agasti • Manipuri: হহৌৱাঈমাল Houwaimal • Marathi:

ेवरी

Shevari, हतगा Hatga • Tamil: Sevvagatti, Muni • Malayalam: Akatti Cheera അഗത്തിചീര • Telugu: Ettagise, Sukanasamu • Kannada: Agasi • Bengali: Buko, Bak • Urdu: Agst • Gujarati: Agathio • Sanskrit: Varnari, Munipriya, Agasti, Drigapalaka. FOI: Agati is a small erect quick-growing short-lived soft-wooded tree, growing up to 10 m tall. Bark is light gray, corky and deeply furrowed. Leaves are pinnate, 15–30 cm long, with 16–30 pairs of linear oblong leaflets. Flower racemes arise in leaf axils, 2-4 flowered, up to 6.5 cm long. Flowers, white to pink, are pendulous. Each flower is 7–9 cm long. Pods are 50–60 cm long. It is believed to have originated either in India or Southeast Asia and grows primarily in hot and humid areas of the world. The flowers of Agati are eaten as a vegetable in Southeast Asia. The young pods and leaves are also eaten. USES: The flowers of S. grandiflora are eaten as a vegetable in Southeast Asia, like Laos, Thailand, Java in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Ilocos Region of the Philippines. Leaves used as tonic, diuretic, laxative, antipyretic, chewed to disinfect mouth and throat. Flower in headache, dimness of vision,Catarrh, Headache, cooling and improving appetite, bitter, astringent, acrid, antipyretic. Bark is used for cooling (ayurvedha and siddha medicinal terms), bitter tonic, anthelmintic, febrifuge, diarrhea, Small pox, Astringent. Fruits in Bitter & acrid, laxative, fever, pain, bronchitis, anemia, tumors, colic, jaundice, poisoning. Root used in Rheumatism, Expectorant, Painful swelling, Catarrh. RECENT STUDIES: A Mamatha and SN Usha in 2012 has evaluated the Diuretic Activity of Aqueous and Methanol Extracts of this plant in Rats. S Sreelatha et al in 2011 has evaluated the anticancer activity of ethanol extract of it against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in Swiss albino mice. M Kumaravel et al in 2011 has proved the Protective effects of Sesbania grandiflora on kidney during alcohol and polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced oxidative stress.


Abroma augusta (L.) L.f. Sterculiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek word 'Broma' meaning food and abroma means not food or not fit for eating in allusion to the poisenous nature of this plant. COMMON NAME: Devil's Cotton, Cotton Abroma • Nepali: Chinne, Sanu kapase, Ulatkambal, Pisach karpas FOI: Devil's Cotton is a large spreading shrub, or a small tree, with fibrous bark and irritant hairs. It grows up to 2.5 m tall with hairy branches. Leaves are ovate-oblong long-pointed, with a heart-shaped base, 10-21 cm long, 5.5-13 cm wide. Leaf blade is 3-7 nerved, with margins unevenly toothed. Flowers are maroon, up to 5 cm across, looking down, in few-flowered clusters in leaf axils. Sepals are lanceshaped, fused at base. Petals are 5, which soon fall off, concave below, prolonged above into a spoon-shaped blade. Capsule is papery, 5winged, cut-off at the tip. The fibre from the bark makes a pliable and attractive rope which is used in fishing nets. Devil's Cotton is found in the Himalayas and NE India. Flowering: June-September. USES: The fresh viscid sap of the root bark is considered to be a valuable emenagogue and uterine tonic. The root has also been applied to treat itch. It is a medicinal plant with a wide variety of reported uses, including as an abortifacient and for treating uterine disorders, diabetes, rheumatic joint pain, headaches with sinusitis, dysmenorrhoea, gonorrhea, stomachache, diabetes and dermatitis. The leaves and stems are covered with soft bristly hairs that are very irritating to the touch. The bark yields a jute-like fiber. It is also used in homeopathy.


Helicteres isora L. Sterculiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Greek word heliktēr means anything twisted, in allusion to the helically coiled follicles of the fruit. COMMON NAMES: East-Indian screw tree, Nut-leaved screw tree • Hindi: मरोड़ फली Maror phali • Marathi: मुरुड

ेंग Murud sheng •

Sanskrit: शिग धरिंग Mriga Shringa • Kannada: Yedmuri • Telugu: Valambiri • Tamil: Vadampiri • Bengali: Antamora. FOI: East-Indian screw tree is a sub-deciduous shrub or small tree with grey coloured bark. Leaves simple, serrate margin, scabrous above and pubescent beneath. Flowers solitary or in sparse clusters, with red petals turning pale blue when old. Fruits greenish brown, beaked, cylindrical, spirally twisted on ripening. The twisted shape of the fruit is what lends most of it names like screw tree and maror phali. MEDICINAL USES: The roots and stem barks are considered to be expectorant, demulcent, astringent and antiglactagogue. Bark is used in diarrhoea, dysentery, scbies, biliousness and is useful in gripping of the bowels. Root juice is used in antidiarrhoeal and antidysenteric formulations. Fried pods are given to children to kill intestinal worms. RECENT STUDIES: H isora in 2009 has studied the antioxidant activity of hot aqueous extract of its fruits. S Venkatesh, et al 2010 has studied the Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of its roots. N Loganayaki et al in 2011 has analysed the Antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging capacity of phenolic extracts from this plant.


Terminalia catappa L. Combretaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Latin terminus meaning "boundary" and describes the concentration of the foliage at the very end of the twigs. COMMON NAMES: Indian Almond • Hindi: जिंगली बादाम Jangli badam • Marathi: जिंगली बादाम Jangli badam • Tamil: Nattuvadumai, Vadumai • Malayalam: Ketapag • Telugu: Tapasataruvu • Kannada: Kadubadami • Oriya: Desiyobadamo • Gujarati: Badamalili • Sanskrit: Kshudrabija, Desabadama FOI: Indian almonds are spreading trees with large, leathery, oval leaves which turn red before they fall. The tree has a distinctive shape, its horizontal branches growing in wide spreading circles at different levels on the trunk. The greenish - white female - and male flowers are on the same tree; these flowers are inconspicuous and not very showy. The pale green fruit is the size and shape of an almond in its shell. Some varieties become reddish-purple when ripe. The nuts are edible, taste like almonds and are eaten. A highly ornamental tree, much planted in avenues and gardens. Flowering: February-May USES: T. catappa is widely grown in tropical regions of the world as an ornamental tree, grown for the deep shade its large leaves provide. The fruit is edible, tasting slightly acidic. The wood is red and solid, and has high water resistance; it has been used in Polynesia for making canoes.


Alseodaphne semecarpifolia Nees. Lauraceae ETYMOLOGY: From greek words 'Alsos' Meaning Grove and Daphne meaning Bay Laurel in allusion to the habitat of this plant. COMMON NAMES: Nelthare • Marathi: फुडगुि phudgus • Tamil: ைகணப்பிைண்கை kanaippirandai • Malayalam: മുളക്നാറി mulaknaari • Telugu: నారమామిడి naaramaamidi • Kannada: ನೆಲ್ಥರೆ nelthare • Konkani: राणी rani.

FOI: Nelthare is a large evergreen tree up to 18 m tall, found in peninsular India. Bark is brownish, scaly and flaky. Leaves are alternately, spirally arranged, clustered at twig ends. Leaf stalks are stout 0.7-2 cm long. Leaves are 7-16 cm long, 4-8.5 cm broad, obovate, tip blunt or rounded, sometimes notched. Leaf base is wedge-shaped. Leaves are leathery, hairless, glaucous beneath. Midrib is slightly raised above. Tiny yellowish flowers are borne in panicles at the end of branches, 10-20 cm long. Flowers have 6 petals which fall off. Fruit is black, round, 1-2 cm across. Flowering: December-March.

22.05.13 187. N Arun Kumar

Proiphys amboinensis (L.) Herb. Amaryllidaceae ETYMOLOGY: Proiphys - from Greek proi, early and phyo, to bring forth, referrring to the 'early' germination of the seed whilst on the plant. COMMON NAME: Cardwell Lily, Northern Christmas Lily. FOI: Cardwell Lily is an attractive perennial bulb plant which occurs naturally in the rainforest and coastal areas of Western Australia and South-East Asia. The large kidney-shaped leaves are glossy with symmetrically curved venation. They are 20-30 cm long and 15-35 cm wide and carried on long stems 15-60 cm long. The white flowers which occur in summer have a yellow throat and are produced on stalks which can vary from 15-90 cm long. Cardwell Lily is surprising not well know, despite it being an attractive and not difficult to grow plant. USES: Ornamental, Prefers a fairly well shaded position. A good container plant. Needs lots of water in the growing season.


Abrus precatorius L. Papilionaceae ETYMOLOGY: Derived from the Greek word 'abrus' which means delicate and refers to the leaflets. Common names: Coral bead vine, Rosary pea • Hindi: रत्ती Ratti, गुिंिी Gunchi • Sanskrit: गुिंजा Gunjaa • Kannada: गुलगुिंजी Gulugunji •

Bengali: गुिंि Gunch • Gujarati: Ratti रत्ती • Tamil: குந்து மணி kundu maNi • Marathi: गुिंज Gunja• Malayalam: Kunni കുന്നി Kunnikkuru കുന്നിക്കുരു. FOI: A high-climbing, twining, or trailing woody vine with alternately compound leaves, indigenous to India. Leaves alternate, 5-13 cm long, even-pinnately compound with 5-15 pairs of leaflets, these oval to oblong, to 1.8 cm long, with margins entire. The flowers, shaped like pea flowers, are small, pale, violet to pink and arranged in clusters. Fruit a short, oblong pod, splitting before falling to reveal 3-8 shiny hard seeds, 6-7 mm long, scarlet with black bases. The seeds of abrus precatorius are much valued in native jewelry for their bright coloration. The third of the bean with the hilum (attachment scar) is black, while the rest is bright red, suggesting a ladybug. Jewelrymaking with jequirity seeds is dangerous, and there have been cases of death by a finger-prick while boring the seeds for beadwork. The seeds were traditionally used to weigh jewellery in India. The measure ratti रत्ती is equal to the weight of one seed. USES: The seeds of Abrus precatorius are much valued in native jewelry for their bright coloration. Most beans are black and red, suggesting a ladybug, though other colors are available. Jewelry-making with jequirity seeds is dangerous, and there have been cases of death by a finger-prick while boring the seeds for beadwork. In Trinidad in the West Indies the brightly coloured seeds are strung into bracelets and worn around the wrist or ankle to ward off jumbies or evil spirits and "mal-yeux" - the evil eye. The Tamils use Abrus seeds of different colors. The red variety with black eye is the most common, but there are black, white and green varieties as well. The seeds of Abrus precatorius are very consistent in weight. Formerly Indians used these seeds to weigh gold using a measure called a Ratti, where 8 Ratti = 1 Masha; 12 Masha = 1 Tola (11.6 Grams). In Siddha medicine, the white variety is used to prepare oil that is claimed to be an aphrodisiac. A tea is made from the leaves and used to treat fevers, coughs and colds. Seeds are poisonous and therefore are used after mitigation. The plant is also used in Ayurveda.


Azadirachta indica A.Juss. Meliaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Persian name of this tree "‫( "آزاد درخت‬Azad derakht) which means free growing tree or Noble tree. COMMON NAMES: The English name neem is borrowed from Hindi; in English it is also known as Indian Lilac. The Urdu name is the same as that used in Nepali, Hindi, and Bengali (ধনম). Other vernacular names include Nimm (Punjabi), Vembu (Tamil), Arya Veppu ആരയ‍വപ്ുു് (Malayalam), Azad Dirakht (Persian), Nimba, Arishta, Picumarda (Sanskrit, Oriya), Limdo (Gujarati language) KaduLimba (Marathi), Dongoyaro (in some Nigerian languages), Margosa, Neem (‫( )نيم‬Arabic), Nimtree, Vepu (వేపు), Vempu (லவம்பு), Vepa (వేప) (Telugu), Bevu( ಕಹಿ ಬೆೇವು (Kannada), Kodu nimb (Konkani), ක ොක ොඹ (Kohomba, Sinhala), Tamar (Burmese), sầu đâu, xoan Ấn Độ (Vietnamese), ស្ដៅ (Sdao, Khmer), สะเดา (Sadao, Thai), ‫( אזדרכת‬Hebrew), "Maliyirinin" (Bambara language) and Paraiso (Spanish). In East Africa it is also known as Muarubaini (Swahili). FOI: Neem is native to India and Burma. It is the state tree of Andhra Pradesh. Neem is a fast growing tree that can reach a height of 1520 m, rarely to 35-40 m. It is evergreen but under severe drought it may shed most or nearly all of its leaves. The branches are wide spread. The fairly dense crown is roundish or oval and may reach the diameter of 15-20 m in old, free-standing specimens. The trunk is relatively short, straight and may reach a diameter of 1.2 m. The bark is hard, fissured or scaly, and whitish-grey to reddish-brown. The sapwood is greyish-white and the heartwood reddish when first exposed to the air becoming reddish-brown after exposure. The root system consists of a strong taproot and well developed lateral roots. The alternate, pinnate leaves are 20-40 cm long, with 20-31 medium to dark green leaflets about 3-8 cm long. The shape of mature leaflets is more or less asymmetric and their margins are serrated. The flowers (white and fragrant) are arranged axillary, normally more-or-less drooping panicles which are up to 25 cm long. The inflorescences, which branch up to the third degree, bear 150-250 flowers. An individual flower is 5-6 mm long and 8-11 mm wide.The fruit is a glabrous olive-like drupe which varies in shape from elongate oval to nearly roundish, and when ripe are 1.4-2.8 x 1.0-1.5 cm. But Neem is far more than a tough tree that grows vigorously in difficult sites. Among its many benefits, the one that is most unusual and immediately practical is the control of farm and household pests. Some entomologists now conclude that neem has such remarkable powers for controlling insects that it will usher in a new era in safe,natural pesticides. USES: In India, the plant is variously known as "Sacred Tree," "Heal All," "Nature's Drugstore," "Village Pharmacy" and "Panacea for all diseases". Products made from neem trees have been used in India for over two millennia for their medicinal properties: neem products are believed to be anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive and sedative. It is considered a major component in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine and is particularly prescribed for skin disease. Neem oil is also used for healthy hair, to improve liver function, detoxify the blood, and balance blood sugar levels, and is considered to have no side effects.


Carissa carandas L. Apocynaceae ETYMOLOGY:Latinised version of a Sanskrit vernacular name (Krishna) for C. carandas. COMMON NAME: Karanda • Hindi: Karonda करौंदा • Malayalam: Karakka • Telugu: Peddakalavi • Marathi: karvand • Tamil: ைைா Kalakkai FOI: The karanda is a sprawling semi-vine shrub native to India. Leaves are from one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half inches long, very dark green, shiny and opposite and they have large spines like many other Carissas. If the leaves or stems are injured, the white milky sap is seen, which is characteristic of this group of plants. Although carissa karanda can be kept clipped into a shrub, it really prefers to act much like a vine similar to bougainvillea and will climb to the tops of rather tall trees. Small fragrant three-quarter-inch white flowers, with rose stalk, are produced from early spring through late fall and the clusters of small purplish to black fruit ripen from May through October. Fruit size is variable, but most fruits are about three-quarters of an inch in diameter with a few seeds. Fruits usually occur in clusters somewhat resembling large purple grapes. Fruit quality is excellent in this author's opinion, somewhat resembling that of a blueberry in flavor. Fruits can be eaten fresh or used for jellies or jam.

18.05.13 183. Vinaya Raj V R

Solanum americanum Mill. Solanaceae ETYMOLOGY: The name 'Solanum' could originate from the Latin verb solari, meaning "to soothe", presumably referring to the soothing pharmacological properties of some of the psychoactive species of the family. COMMON NAMES: Black nightshade, Black-berry night shade, Nightshade, Poisonberry • Manipuri: ললপুঙখাাংগ Leipungkhangga • Tamil: மணதக்ைாைி Manatakkali • Hindi: Mokoi मोकोय • Malayalam: Mulaku-thakkali, മുളക് തക്കാളി Manaththakkali

മണത്തക്കാളി• Telugu: Kasaka • Marathi: Laghukavali • Urdu: Makoya मकोया. FOI: Black nightshade is a plant, an annual weed that grows up to 60cm tall, is branched and usually erect, growing wild in wastelands and crop fields. Alternate leaves are ovate deep green with an indented margin and acuminate at the tip. Flowers are white with yellow colored centre. The berries are green at early stage and turn to orange or black when ripened. Medicinal uses: Black nightshade is used for skin diseases, rheumatism, and gout. Juice of the herb is given in chronic enlargement of the liver. It can cure ear, and eye diseases. It is sometimes prescribed to "remove the effect of old age." RECENT STUDIES: J Borella and ACD Wandscheer in 2011 has studied the Allelopathic potential of aqueous extracts of Solanum americanum Mill. fruits on radish seeds. AEL Ribeiro et al in 2012 has established it as a reservoir of natural enemies of the tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi.


Casuarina equisetifolia L. Casuarinaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Latin, supposed to be named from the resemblance of the twigs to the feathers of the cassowary; a flight less bird. COMMON NAMES: Whistling Pine, Casuarina, Common Ironwood, Beefwood, Bull-oak • Hindi: Junglisaru • Marathi: Sura • Bengali: Belati-Jhau • Kannada: Kyasurina • Malayalam: Kattadi, കാറ്റാടി Chowkk വചൌക്കു്• Telugu: Saruguda • Urdu: Jahbuko • Konkani: Phiramgi saro • Tamil: Savukku FOI: Whistling Pine is a common tropical seashore tree and is often planted as a windbreak. Whistling Pine has a conifer-like appearance which is increased by hanging green branchlets and cone-like fruits. The species name equisetifolia refers to the resemblence of the leaves to a horse’s tail. The soft singing of the air through its innumerable slender twigs is a pleasant sound, which lends it the common name Whistling Pine. It is a large vase-shaped tree that grows 100-150 ft in height with wispy grey green twigs reminiscent of pine needles. The weeping branchlets look a little like jointed rushes and are ringed at their nodes by tightly overlapping little scalelike leaves. The stout trunk is covered with thick pebbly textured brownish grey bark. The male flowers are borne in slender cylindrical spikes at the twig tips. The tiny brownish red female flowers grow in heads attached to the branchlets and are followed by 0.5 in diameter fruits that resemble pinecones and contain 70-90 winged seeds each. The wood is hard and is almost unworkable by carpenters. It also cracks and splits easily and so is more suitable for beams or posts than planks, but does not last long underground. The chief use is as fuel for which a tree may be cut when 10 to 12 years old, although it is better left until about 20. USES: Casuarina is widely used as a bonsai subject, particularly in South-east Asia and parts of the Caribbean. Indonesian specimens and those cultivated in Taiwan are regarded among the best in the bonsai world. The wood of this tree is used for shingles, fencing, and is said to make excellent, hot burning firewood. Among the islands of Hawaii, Casuarina are also grown for erosion prevention, and in general as wind breaking elements.


Gymnostachyum febrifugum Benth. Acanthaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek, 'Gymnostachyum' means 'naked spike' in allusion to the absence of Prominent bacts and bracteoles which is a charecteristic of most of Acanthacean memebers. Endemic to South Western Ghatts COMMON NAMES: Malayalam: Nilamuchaala, Naakkuneettipoovu FPK-KFRI: Scapigerous herbs; stems very short. Leaves to 7 x 4 cm, ovate, obtuse at apex, obtuse and decurrent at base; nerves 3-4 pairs, hirsute below; petiole 3-9 cm long. Scape to 30 cm long, solitary or few, simple or branched . Flowers solitary or 2-4 together; bracts and bracteoles minute; sepals 3 mm long, glabrous; corolla pink, 2.5 cm long, yellow at mouth; anthers pubescent. Capsule 25 x 2 mm, glabrous; seeds 16-20, orbicular, golden brown. USES: Root is used in treatment of fevers hence the name Febrifugum. RECENT STUDIES: K Arunachalam and T Parimelazhagan in 2011 has proved the ntioxidant and antimicrobial potential of methanolic extract of this plant.

15.05.13 180. Narendra Singh

Citharexylum spinosum L. Verbenaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek words "Kithara" means a Lyre (a stringed musical instrument known for its use in Greek classical antiquity and later) and "Xylon" means wood, in allusion to the use of the wood for making certain musical instruments. COMMON NAMES: Fiddlewood, Fiddlewood Tree, Spiny Fiddlewood. Malayalam: Parijatham പാരിജാതം. FOI: Native to tropical America, Fiddlewood is a beautiful shrub or a small tree with long tassels of richly scented white flowers. Flowers are pendant and cover the tree from spring to fall. Foliage is dark green, shiny, ornamental. Normally seen as a shrub, Fiddlewood can grow to about 40 feet tall in its native habitat. Fiddlewood makes a nice patio tree planted in the shade of pines or other tall trees. Young plants can be upright and rounded; older specimens develop a rounded vase form with lower branches removed. Fiddlewood is tolerant of sandy, dry soil and adapts to a wide range of soil pH including alkaline. Moderate salt tolerance allows planting near the beach. The tiny flowers are a favourite to the bees. The wood of this tree is said to be useful for making musical instruments - that could be the reason for its common name, fiddlewood. USES: It treats asthma. Five or six leaves are pounded and the juice extracted and mixed with a spoon of Barbados oil. On one occasion, a woman who was carrying a dead fetus reported that a person appeared in a dream and showed her the bwa koklet. She said she boiled the leaves and after the second dose delivered the fetus. For a bad chest cold with phlegm, juvenile leaves are pounded in a little water to extract the juice and a teaspoon each of olive oil and castor oil or coconut oil added, swizzled well, and given to drink. For rheumatism, remove the thick bark of the tree, dry it, and put it in a pint of wine. Drink a small wine glass full every morning. This is to purify the blood. RECENT STUDIES: MR Khan and F Siddique has studied the Antioxidant effects of this plant.

14.05.13 179. Palak Thakor

Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet Malvaceae ETYMOLOGY: The name is a unique combination of Arabic and Greek. Abutilon, an Arabic word, meaning a mallow like plant COMMON NAMES: Indian Mallow, Country Mallow, Abutilon, Indian abutilon • Hindi: किंघी Kanghi • Marathi: पेटारी Petari • Tamil: Paniyaratutti • Malayalam: വവല്ലുരമ് Velluram • Telugu: Tuturabenda • Kannada: Tutti • Bengali: হপাটারী Potari. FOI: Indian Mallow is an erect velvety-pubescent shrub with circular-ovate or heart-shaped leaves with coarsely crenate-serrate margins. The plant can reach up to 1-2 m. The leaves are alternately arranged, and have long stalks and have velvety, soft, pale hairs on them. Orange-yellow flowers, 2-3 cm across, occur solitary in axils, on long stalks, 4-7 cm. Orange-yellow petals are triangular-obovate, 1 cm long or slightly more, staminal-tube hairy with stellate hairs. Fruit is quite interesting - it is circular in shape, consisting of 11-20 radiating hairy carpels, brown when dry; each carpel flattened, somewhat boatshaped. Seeds are kidney-shaped. The plant is a weed commonly found on disturbed land. Flowering: September-April. MEDICINAL USES: Extract of water-soaked dried seeds is used as purgative. Leaves are used as tonic. Roots are taken as infusion in fever.

13.05.13 178. Vivek Krishna

Calamus travancoricus Bedd. ex Becc. Arecaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek or Latin word "kalamos" which means Cane. COMMON NAMES: Malayalam: Arichooral, Cheruchooral, Kattuchooral, Vallichooral. FPK-KFRI: Very slender climbing canes; stem with sheath, c. 2.5 cm across; spines c. 5 mm long, recurved; ocrea papery; flagellum 1-1.3 cm long. Rachis to 45 cm long with claw like spines; leaflets clustered, 10-25 x 1-1.5 cm, lanceolate, acuminate at apex, 3-ribbed. Male inflorescence to 1 m long; partial inflorescence 8-10, to 10 cm long. Female inflorescence 30-40 cm long; partial inflorescence 3-4, c. 12 cm long; involucre shallow, concave. Fruit 0.8-1 cm across, globose, covered with about 24 rows of scales. ENDEMIC TO SOUTH WESTERN GHATTS USES: Used as Cane


Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hook.f. Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: Named in honour of the German botanist and naturalist Traugott Gerber († 1743) who travelled extensively in Russia and was a friend of Carolus Linnaeus. COMMON NAMES: Gerber daisy, Transvaal daisy, Barberton daisy daisy FOI: Gerbera daisy is a tender perennial plant that is known for its huge, brilliantly-colored flowers. The spectacular flowers resemble large daisies with a golden center surrounded by one or more ranks of "petals" (actually ray flowers) In nature these ray flowers range in color from yellow to deep orange but selected varieties extend the color palette to include white, cream, pink, red, crimson and even violet. Both single and double forms are available. Flowers range in size from 2.5 to 4 inch diameters and are held on 12 to 18 inch stems. The coarse leaves are 8 to 10 inches in length and are arranged in a rosette forming low mounds that are about 12 inches wide. The Gerbera daisy is native to the Transvaal region of South Africa. USES: Common Garden plant


Rauvolfia serpentina (Linnaeus) Bentham ex Kurz,dian Apocynaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named after Leonhard Rauwolf (21 Jun 1535 – 15 Sep 1596) was a German physician, botanist, and traveller. DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS OF FAMILY : Trees, shrubs, or vines, rarely subshrubs or herbs, with latex or rarely watery juice. Leaves simple, opposite, rarely whorled or alternate, pinnately veined; stipules absent or rarely present. Inflorescences cymose, terminal or axillary, with bracteoles. Flowers bisexual, 5- [or 4]-merous, actinomorphic. Calyx 5- or rarely 4-partite, quincuncial, basal glands usually present. Corolla 5- or rarely 4-lobed, salverform, funnelform, urceolate, or rarely rotate, lobes overlapping to right or left, rarely valvate. Stamens 5 or rarely 4; filaments short; anthers mostly sagittate, free or connivent into a cone adherent to pistil head, dehiscing longitudinally, base rounded, cordate, sagittate, or prolonged into an empty spur; pollen granular; disc ringlike or cup-shaped, 2-5lobed, or absent. Ovaries superior, rarely half-inferior, connate or distinct, 1- or 2-locular; ovules (1 or) 2-numerous per locule. Style 1; pistil head capitate, conical, or lampshade-shaped, base stigmatic, apex 2-cleft and not stigmatic. Fruit a berry, drupe, capsule, or follicle. Seeds with or without coma; endosperm thick and often horny, scanty, sometimes absent; embryo straight or nearly so, cotyledons often large, radicle terete. COMMON NAMES: Snakeroot, Insanity herb • Hindi: Sarpagandha िपिगिंधा Shrubs to 1 m tall, erect, glabrous. Stems usually unbranched, slender, straw colored. Leaves grouped near stem apex, in whorls of 3-5; petiole 1-1.5 cm; leaf blade narrowly elliptic or obovate, membranous, 7-17 X 2-9 cm, base cuneate, apex acuminate or rarely obtuse; lateral veins 7-15 pairs. Cymes congested; peduncle 5-13 cm, red or reddish. Pedicel and calyx red or reddish. Corolla white, tube cylindric, 1-1.8 cm, inflated at middle and pilose inside distal half; lobes obliquely suborbicular, 1.5-3.5 mm. Stamens inserted at middle of corolla tube. Ovaries connate in basal half. Drupes ellipsoid, ca. 8 mm, connate for half their length. Fl. Feb-Oct, fr. May-Dec. 2n = 22. Distribution: Montane forests; 800-1500 m. S Yunnan (Gengma, Jing-hong), cultivated in S Guangdong, S Guangxi, Hainan [India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand]. MEDICINAL USES : The roots are used as a sedative and in the treatment of hypertension. The bark, leaves, and roots are used against snake and scorpion poisoning. About 155 genera and 2000 species distributed primarily in the tropics and subtropics, poorly represented in the temperate regions. Of the 44 genera and 145 species present in China, one genus and 38 species are endemic, and nearly 95% of the taxa grow in the southern and southwestern portions of the country.


Tabernaemontana alternifolia L. Apocynaceae ETYMOLOGY: In honour of James Theodore Tabernaemontanus of Heidelberg physician and a highly regarded botanist in his day over four centuries ago. COMMON NAMES: Nag Kuda • Kannada: ಬಿಳಿ ಕೆೊಡಸಲ್ು bili kodasalu, ಹಾಲ್ೆೇಟಿ halmeti, ಮದ್ದರಸ maddarasa, ಮದ್ೆೆಮರ madle mara, ನಾಗರಕುಡ naagar kuda • Konkani: नागरकुडो nagarkudo • Malayalam: കുണ്ധല്പ്ാല്

kundhalappaala, കുന്നിന്‍പാല്

kunninpaala • Marathi: नाग कुडा naag kuda, पािंढरा कुडा pandhra kuda • Sanskrit: कास्म्पल्लकः kampillakah, पपण्डतगर pindatagara • Tamil: குண்ைலப்பாலா kundalappala, பால்வாடி palvadi • Tulu: ಮದ್ದರಸ maddarasa. FOI: Nag Kuda is small tree native to Western Ghats, growing up to 2-5 m tall. Oppositely arranged leaves are elliptic-oblong, 23 cm long, 6.5 cm wide, prominently nerved. White flowers are borne in corymb-like cymes. Sepals are 5, thick, fused at the base. Flowers have a narrow tube which flares into a flat flower. Five stamens do not protrude out. Fruit is quite interesting - itconsists of two boatshaped orange pods, up to 4 cm long, with recurved beaks.


Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Vent. Araceae ETYMOLOGY: From Malayan name of this and related aroids "kěladi". COMMON NAMES: Fancy-Leaf Caladium, Artist's pallet, caladium, Elephant's ear, Heart of Jesus. FOI: Fancy-Leaf Caladium is a perennial plant grown for its large and showy leaves. It has no stems - the leaves arise directly from the tuber, 6-12 inches long stalks. The stalks are attached to the leaves near the center, rather than at one end (peltate). Leaf are arrowshaped, 6-14 inches long, and variously spotted or streaked with pink, red, gray, or white. The inflorescence is a 9 inch greenish white spadix, covered by a spathe. Fruit a berry with several or many small ovoid seeds. The whole plant, by the end of its growing season, is about 2 ft tall and 2 ft wide. Fancy-Leaf Caladium is native to South America, grown as a garden plant throughout the tropical world USES: Several species are grown as ornamental plants for their large, arrowhead-shaped leaves marked in varying patterns in white, pink, and red (somewhat resembling the unrelated coleus) and have been in cultivation in Europe since the late 18th century. The two forms most widely cultivated are called "fancy-leaved" and "lance-leaved". The former is the more commonly seen and is the traditional caladium of cultivation; the leaves are more heart-shaped. All parts of the plant are poisonous. They should not be ingested and may irritate sensitive skin.

08.05.13 169. Mani Sudarsanam

Grevillea pteridifolia Knight. Proteaceae ETYMOLOGY: In honour of C.F. Greville (1749-1809), a founder of the Royal Horticultural Society, England and a patron of Botany. COMMON NAMES: Include Silky Grevillea, Darwin Silky Oak, Ferny-leaved Silky Oak, Fern-leaved Grevillea, Golden Grevillea, Golden Tree and Golden Parrot Tree. DESCRIPTION: Leaves: Oak grain in the twigs. Terminal buds and young shoots densely clothed in reddish brown prostrate hairs. Leaves could be regarded as either simple and deeply lobed or compound. Leaflets or leaf lobes about 10-21 cm long, 0.1-0.5 cm wide. Leaflets or leaf blades clothed in white or light brown hairs on the underside, margin conspicuously recurved. Flowers: Racemes secund. Perianth tube somewhat dilated towards the base. Tepals densely pubescent on the outer surface, glabrous on the inside. Hypogynous gland +/- horseshoe-shaped in outline but lobed at the apex. Ovary surrounded by a mass of long, pale hairs. Ovules 2 per ovary. Stigma terminal or slightly lateral. Fruit: Fruits ovoid, laterally compressed, about 15-18 x 8-10 mm, outer surface densely clothed in pale hairs. Seeds with a marginal wing, seed + wing about 14-15 x 6-7 mm.

07.05.13 168. Beena Das

Passiflora apoda Harms. Passifloraceae ETYMOLOGY: From Latin words 'Passio' Mean Passion and 'Flora' means flower, the latin of Passion flower. The "Passion" in "passion flower" refers to the passion of Jesus in Christian theology. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish Christian missionaries adopted the unique physical structures of this plant, particularly the numbers of its various flower parts, as symbols of the last days of Jesus and especially his crucifixion. Blue Passion Flower (P. caerulea) showing most elements of the Christian symbolism Which are 1: The pointed tips of the leaves were taken to represent the Holy Lance. 2: The tendrils represent the whips used in the flagellation of Christ. 3: The ten petals and sepals represent the ten faithful apostles (excluding St. Peter the denier and Judas Iscariot the betrayer). 4: The flower's radial filaments, which can number more than a hundred and vary from flower to flower, represent the crown of thorns. 5: The chaliceshaped ovary with its receptacle represents a hammer or the Holy Grail. 6: The 3 stigmas represent the 3 nails and the 5 anthers below them the 5 wounds (four by the nails and one by the lance). 7: The blue and white colors of many species' flowers represent Heaven and Purity.


Bellis perennis L. Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: Bellis is Latin word for "pretty" in allusion to the Beautiful Flowers. COMMON NAMES: English Daisy, Lawn Daisy, Bruisewort FOI: English Daisy is a common European species of daisy familiar to children as a favorite flower for picking, and the raw material for daisy-chains. It is not affected by mowing and is therefore often considered a weed on lawns, though many also value the appearance of the flowers. The flower heads, white, pink or red, carried singly above a rosette of leaves, close at night or in dull weather and provide the origin of the common name "day's eye", which got corrupted to "daisy". It is a herbaceous plant with short creeping rhizomes and small rounded or spoon shaped evergreen leaves 2–5 cm long. The flower heads are 2–3 cm in diameter, with white ray florets (often tipped red) and yellow disc florets; they are produced on leafless stems 2–10 cm (rarely 15 cm) tall. The lawn daisy is a dicot. USES: This daisy may be used as a potherb. Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked, noting that the leaves become increasingly astringent with age. Flower buds and petals can be eaten raw in sandwiches, soups and salads. It is also used as a tea and as a vitamin supplement. Bellis perennis has astringent properties and has been used in herbal medicine. In ancient Rome, the surgeons who accompanied Roman legions into battle would order their slaves to pick sacks full of daisies in order to extract their juice, hence the origin of this plant's scientific name in Latin. Bandages were soaked in this juice and would then be used to bind sword and spear cuts. Bellis perennis is still used in homeopathy for wounds and after certain surgical procedures, as well as for blunt trauma in animals. Typically, the plant is harvested while in flower when intended for use in homeopathy.

05.05.13 166. Smita Raskar

Cassia javanica L. Caesalpiniaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek name 'Kasia' of some related genera. COMMON NAME: Java cassia, Apple blossom cassia, Nodding cassia, Pink cassia, Pink shower, • Manipuri: জাৱা ৈানী Java rani. FOI: When in bloom, Java cassia can be a stunning sight, with the tree covered with crimson-pink flowers. Native to the tropical regions of Asia, Java Cassia is distributed naturally from India to Malaysia, Sumatra, Indonesia, southern China, and the Phillipines. Java cassia is a fast-growing, semideciduous tree up to 25 m in height and 35 cm d.b.h. The species blooms best in places with well-drained and deep soils. The trunk frequently has many shoots. The crown, consisting of descending branches with sparse foliage, is wide-open, arched, and spread out. The leaves are paripinnate, made up of 12 pairs of leaflets that are elliptic or oblong and rounded at the apex and base. The flowers are pale rose to crimson and arranged in racemes. Java Cassia blooms during the spring, and the fruits (legumes) ripen in the fall. RECENT STUDIES: UC Kumavat et al in 2012 has studied the Hypoglycemic activity of Cassia javanica Linn. in normal and streptozotocininduced diabetic rats. P Kaur and S Arora in 2011 has shown the Superoxide anion radical scavenging activity of Cassia siamea and Cassia javanica henec showing its free radical scavenging activity.

04.05.13 165. N Arun Kumar

Buchanania cochinchinensis (Lour.) M.R.Almeida Anacardiaceae Syn: Buchanania lanzan Spreng. ETYMOLOGY: In honour of Dr. F. H. Buchanan-Hamilton, (1762- 1829), author of the "Journey To Mysore" COMMON NAMES: Chironji Tree, almondette, calumpong nut, Cheronjee, Cuddapah almond, Hamilton mombin • Hindi: िार char, धिरोंजी chironji, धिरौंजी chiraunji, पपयाल piyal, प्रिवक pra-savak, पप्रयाल priyal • Marathi: िार char, िारोळी charoli, पपयाल piyal • Tamil: சாைம் charam • Malayalam: മൂങ്ങാ‍പ്ഴ് muungaappeezh, നുറമരം nuramaram • Telugu: చార char, చారుమామిడి charumamidi, ప్రియాళువు priyaluvu, రాజాదనము raj-adanamu • Kannada: ಚಾರೆೊಳಿ charoli, ಕೆೊಲ್ೆ ಮಾವು kole maavu • Bengali: chironji, piyal, sarop • Oriya: charu, chanhra • Konkani: िार char • Urdu: ‫ چرونجي‬chironji • Assamese: ধপয়াল piyal • Gujarati: ચારોળી charoli • Sanskrit: अखट्टः akhatth, मनु न muni, पपयाल piyala, प्रिवकः prasavakh, पप्रयाल priyala, राजनदनः rajanadanha, उपवटः upavatth •

Nepali: धिरोंस्ज chiraunjee FOI: Chironji Tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree, growing to about 50 ft tall. It bears fruits each cotaining a single seed, which is popular as an edible nut, known as chironji. It is common in our forests mostly in eroded ravine lands. It avoids waterlogged areas, but occurs locally in clay soils. It can be identified by the dark grey crocodile bark with red blaze. A good species for afforesting bare hill slopes. It has tickly leathery leaves which are broadly oblong, with blunt tip and rounded base. Leaves have 10-20 pairs of straight, parallel veins. Pyramidal panicles of greenish while flowers appear in early spring. Fruits ripen from April to May and remain on the tree for quite a long time. Flowering: January-March. MEDICINAL USES: The roots are acrid, astringent, cooling, depurative and constipating, and are useful in treatment of diarrhoea. Leaves are used in the treatment of skin diseases. Fruits are used in treating cough and asthma.

04.05.13 164. N Arun Kumar

Stereospermum tetragonum DC. Bignoniaceae Syn: Stereospermum colais (Buch.-Ham. ex Dillwyn) Mabb. ETYMOLOGY: From Greek words 'Stereos' means firm or tight and 'Sperma' means seed, in allusion to the tightly packed seeds of this genus. COMMON NAME: Yellow Snake Tree, Trumpet flower tree • Hindi: पारल paral, पारोली paroli • Manipuri: ধমস্সী Missi • Marathi: पाडळ padal • Tamil: அம்பு ampu, அம்புவாைினி ampuvakini, பாைலம் patalam, பாதிரி patiri, புன்ைாலி punkali • Malayalam:

കരിങ്ങഴ karingazha, പാതിരി paathiri, പൂപ്ാതിരി puuppaathiri • Telugu: అంబువాసరని ambuvasini, కలిగొట్టు kaligottu, పాదిరి padiri, పాట్ల patala • Kannada: ಕಲ್ಾದ್ರಿ kalaadri, ಪಾದ್ರಿ paadari • Bengali: পারুল parul • Oriya: pamphunia • Konkani: पाडल paadal • Urdu: ‫ پارل‬paral • Assamese: Dhapatita, পচৈৰালী Parroli • Gujarati: પાડેલી padeli • Sanskrit: पाटला patala • Mizo: zinghal FOI: Yellow Snake Tree is a deciduous tree, growing to 15-20 m tall, with the trunk 15-25 cm in diameter. Large pinnate leaves are 2550 cm long. Elliptic leaflets, 3-6 on each side of midrib, are 8-14 X 2.5-6 cm. Flowers are pale yellow, with reddish-purple veins, slightly curved, about 2 cm long. Upper lip is 2-lobed, and the lower one 3-lobed, velvety at the mouth. The fruit is long, 4-angular, curved, 3070 cm, about 1 cm in diameter, brown, covered with white specks. The Padiri (Tamil name) tree is associated with the Padaleeshwarar temple at Tiruppathiripuliyur, Tamil Nadu. It is believed that Goddess Uma reached Tiruppathiripuliyur after worship of 1008 Shiva sthalams. She worshipped Lord Padaleeshwarar installed under a Padiri tree. After years of penance, Lord Shiva appeared and he united with the Goddess under the sacred Padiri tree, which is now the sthalavriksha of the temple.The tree is associated with the Ekapatala, sister of Goddess Uma who took only one Patala leaf for food. Flowering: May-July. RECENT STUDIES: R Bino Kingsley et al in 2013 has reported the Anti-diabetic activity of active fractions of Stereospermum tetragonum DC and isolation of active principles.


Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. Lythraceae ETYMOLOGY: Lagerstroemia was named by Linné in honor of Magnus von Lagerstroem, Director of the Swedish East India Company, who had brought back to him the cutting from an expedition in the middle of 18th century. Its name "lilac of India" derives from its flower resembling that of the lilac and of its oriental origin, in an epoch when all that came from Asia was assimilated as coming from India. COMMON NAMES: Pride of India, Queen Crape Myrtle • Hindi: Jarul जरुल • Manipuri: Jarol • Tamil: ைதலி Kadali • Marathi: Taman DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON LYTHRACEAE:T he Lythraceae are most often herbs, and less often shrubs or trees; the shrubs and trees often have flaky bark. Traits shared by species within the Lythraceae that distinguish them from belonging to other plant families are the petals being crumpled in the bud and seem as a crumbled paper on flower. FOI: This tropical flowering tree is one of the most outstanding summer bloomers. Lagerstroemia speciosa is a larger form of the more commonly grown L. indica (Crape myrtle.) It is called Queen Crape Myrtle because it's the Queen of the Crape Myrtles, dominating with grand size and larger, crinkled flowers. The name Crape myrtle is given to these tree/shrubs because of the flowers which look as if made from delicate crape paper. Lagerstroemia speciosa is a large tree growing up to 50' but it can be kept smaller by trimming. It stands on an attractive, spotted bark that often peels. This bark is commercially used and is a valuable timber. The large leaves are also appealing as they turn red right before they drop in the winter. A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this flower. MEDICINAL USES: Seeds are narcotic; bark and leaves are purgative; roots areastringent, stimulant and febrifuge (fever removing) In Manipur, the fruit is used as local application for apathe of the mouth. Decoction of dried leaves is used in diabetes.

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01.05.13 162. Dubey Dhulipala

Tamarindus indica L. Caesalpiniaceae ETYMOLOGY: The word 'Tamarind' has been originated from its Arabic name "at‑tamr al-hindi" [‫ ]التمر الهندي‬simply means the date (Fruit) of India. COMMON NAMES: Tamarind • Hindi: Imli इमली • Bengali: Amli •Malayalam: Valanpuli വാളന്‍പുളി• Manipuri: মাংচগ Mange • Tamil: Puli புைி • Telugu: Chinta • Marathi: Chinch . FOI: Tamarind is a very common large tree with a short massive trunk, ferny pinnate leaves, small yellow flowers and fat reddish brown pods. The tree can get 90 ft tall but is usually less than 50 ft. It has a short, stocky trunk, drooping branches and a domed umbrella shaped crown about as wide as the tree's height. The leaves are about 10 in long with 10-18 pairs of 1 in oblong leaflets. Tamarind drops its leaves in pronounced dry seasons; in climates without a dry season it stays evergreen. The flowers are about 1 in across, pale yellow with purple or red veins. They have five unequal lobes and borne in small drooping clusters. The velvety cinnamon brown pods are 2-6 in long, sausage shaped and constricted between the seeds. The pulp that surrounds the 8-10 seeds is both sweet and extremely sour, and girls in India love it. It is common to have a tamarind tree in the compound of a girls hostel. Tamarind is very much used in cooking in India, particularly in the south. Contrary to popular belief, Tamarind is not native to India. It originated in tropical Africa, including Sudan and parts of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests. It was introduced into India so long ago that it has often been reported as indigenous here, and it was apparently from India that it reached the Persians and the Arabs who called it "tamar hind" (Indian date, from the date-like appearance of the dried pulp), giving rise to both its common and generic name. The species name indica also gives the misleading impression that it originated in India. USES: The pulp of ripe pods is ex-tracted in water to yield tamar-ind water used for souring curries. RECENT STUDIES: SU Mahadik et al 2011 has studied the In vitro Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts of celosia argentea aerial parts, fresh fruits of Fragaria vesca, Tamarindus indica, Psidium guajava, Zizyphus. V Jindal et al 2011 has studied Hypolipidemic and weight reducing activity of the ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp in cafeteria diet-and sulpiride-induced obese rats.


Haldina cordifolia (Roxb.) Ridsdale Rubiaceae ETYMOLOGY: Haldina originated from the Hindi Name of this Plant "Haldu" which means Yellow May be due to the Yellow color of the wood and the flowers. (Thanks to Santosh Thakur and Ranjan Hazarika for their Help in Elucidating the Etymology). COMMON NAMES: Haldu • Hindi: करम Karam, कदमी Kadami • Marathi: हळ्द ू Haldu, हॆ द ू Hedu • Tamil: Mannakatampu • Malayalam:

Manjakadambu • Telugu: Pasupu-kadamba • Kannada: Yettega • Oriya: Holondo • Assamese: Tarakchapa • Sanskrit: धगररकदम्ब Girikadamb FOI: Haldu is a deciduous tree that can grow well over 20 metres high. Oppositely arranged leaves are broadly oval in shape, heartshaped at the base and pointed at the tip. The flowers may be insignificant individually but are very pretty when they bloom together in balls with a circumference of 2 to 3 cm. They are usually yellow in colour often tinged with a shade of pink. Haldu is at its blossoming best during winter. The bark of the tree acts as an antiseptic. Flowering: June-August. USES: The wood of H. cordifolia is used for house construction (doors, windows, stairs and flooring), boat building, and for furniture, implements and face veneer. It is also suitable for fine turnery work, rulers, pencil slats, bobbins, boxes and piano keys. The wood is reported as acid-resistant and could be suitable for laboratory bench tops and similar uses. Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, inflammation, urinary retention, wounds and ulcers, skin diseases, biliary colic, infection, dysentery, fever and burning sensation. RECENT STUDIES: V Kaushik et al in 2009 has Studied the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Haldina cordifolia Bark Extracts.

29.04.13 160. Pralhad Narasinhachar

Cassia fistula L. Caesalpiniaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek name 'Kasia' of some related genera. COMMON NAMES: Amaltas, Golden shower tree, Indian Laburnum • Hindi: अमलताि Amaltas • Manipuri: হুঈ Chahui • Tamil: சைான்கற Konrai • Malayalam: Vishu konnai • Marathi: बहावा Bahava • Mizo: Ngaingaw • Bengali: হসানালী Sonali, Bandarlati, Amultas • Urdu: ‫ املتاس‬Amaltas FOI: This native of India, commonly known as Amaltaas, is one of the most beautiful of all tropical trees when it sheds its leaves and bursts into a mass of long, grape-bunches like yellow gold flowers. A tropical ornamental tree with a trunck consisting of hard reddish wood, growing up to 40 feet tall. The wood is hard and heavy; it is used for cabinet, inlay work, etc. It has showy racemes, up to 2" long, with bright, yellow, fragrant flowers. These flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. The fruits are dark-brown cylindrical pods, also 2' long, which also hold the flattish, brown seeds (up to 100 in one pod) These seeds are in cells, each containing a single seed. A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this tree. MEDICINAL USES: The sweet blackish pulp of the seedpod is used as a mild laxative. In Ayurvedic medicine, golden shower tree is known as aragvadha, meaning "disease killer". The root is considered a purgative,[3][4] and self-medication or any use without medical supervision is strongly advised against in Ayurvedic texts. Though its use in herbalism has been attested to for millennia, there has been rather little research in modern times. The purgative action is probably due to abundant 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone and derivatives thereof. Many Fabaceae are a source of potent entheogens and other psychoactive compounds such as tryptamines; such plants are rarely found among the Caesalpinioideae. RECENT STUDIES: M Govindarajan et al 2011 has studied the larvicidal effect of the leaf ectract of it. H Kalantari et al in 2011 has established its hepatoprotective activity.


Barleria lupulina Lindl. Acanthaceae Etymology: In honour of a Dominican monk and French botanist, Jacques Barrelier. He was born in Paris in 1606, died Sept. 17, 1673. He renounced the medical profession to enter the Dominican order. In 1646 he was selected as assistant of the general of the order on one of his tours of inspection, travelled through France, Spain, and Italy, collected numerous specimens of plants, and also founded and superintended a splendid garden in a convent of his order at Rome, where he remained many years. He afterward returned to Paris and entered the convent in the rue St. Honore. He left unfinished a general history of plants, to be entitled Hortus Mundi. The copperplates of his intended work, and such of his papers as could be found, were collected and made the basis of a book by Antoine de Jus-sieu, Plantae per Galliam, Hispaniam et Ita-liam observatae, etc. COMMON NAMES: Hophead, Philippine Violet • Bengali: Vishellakarani FOI: Hophead is a popular medicinal plant distributed in mountains of southern and western India. Shrubbery plant with single dark green leaves, red-brown branches, and flowers that bloom in upright spikes. It is an erect shrub with smooth, hairless stems and leaves. Leaves narrowly obovate, spine-tipped, 3.5-9 cm long, 0.8-1.2 cm wide. Flowers occur in a terminal spike with overlapping bracts which are broadly ovate, 15 mm long, green with purple upper half. Flower consists of a 3m long corolla tube, opening into 1 cm long petals. Longer stamen filaments 2 cm long; shorter stamens fertile. Style is 3 cm long and smooth. Medicinal uses: Traditional and therapeutic use is anti-inflammatory for insect bites, herpes simplex use by its fresh leaves, and roots for anti-inflammatory centipede bites. RECENT STUDIES: PM Mazumder in 2012 has studied the antiarthritic and immunomodulatory activity of it. M Sarmad and A Mahalakshmipriya has studied the Chemical Composition and In-vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Barleria lupulina Essential Oil.


Quassia indica (Gaertn.) Noot. Simaroubaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named after Graman Quassi (ca. 1690 - ca. 1780), a slave who discovered (1730) the medicinal value of the it’s roots, was a Surinamese healer, botanist, slave and later freedman of the 18th century. COMMO NAMES: Malayalam: Njotta വ ാട്ട, Karinjotta കരിവ ാട്ട. FPK-KFRI: Evergreen tree or shrub to 10 m high. Leaves elliptic-oblong, subacute-rounded at base, acute to acuminate at apex, coriaceous, glabrous, shining, reticulately nerved. Petioles 1-2 cm long, stout. Flowers 20 or more in umbelliform glabrous or puberulous inflorescences. Peduncles 7-30 cm long, stout, flat, thick-above; Pedicels 1-1.5 cm long, to 3 cm in fruit, jointed at base; bracts minute. Calyx 2-3 cm long, 4-lobed; lobes semiorbicular, thick, puberulous outside. Petals 4, free, oblong-oblanceolate, obtuse, 1-2 x ca 0.5 cm, dorsally pubescent, white, pale yellow or purplish. Stamens 8, pubescent. Anthers oblong-lanceolate, 2-3 mm long; filaments puberulous. Ovary ca 2 mm across, puberulous; styles to 2 cm long, glabrous. Drupes 1-4 together, flat, smooth, glandular and reticulate. USES: Fever: A mixture of the powdered bark or wood scrapings in warm water or coconut oil. Rheumatism: Roast seed, pound, and apply over affected area. Skin eruptions: Bruise leaves and apply over affected area. Juice from pounded bark also used for skin diseases. Oil extracted from fruit kernels used for rheumatism. Seeds worn around the neck for asthma prevention. Seeds used as emetic and purgative. Infusion of wood taken as a tonic, as a substitute for Quassia. Infusion of leaves used as insecticide, especially against white ants. In the Congo and Madagascar, used for malaria. RECENT STUDIES: T Thomas in 2010 has evaluated the anti bacterial property of this plant against bacterias involved in skin diseases.


Dypsis lutescens (H.Wendl.) Beentje & J.Dransf. Arecaceae ETYMOLOGY: The exact etymology is still unclear, Perhaps from the Greek word dyptein, meaning to dip. COMMON NAMES: Golden Cane Palm, Areca Palm, Butterfly Palm, Madagascar Palm. FOI: Golden Cane Palm is clump-growing with ringed, bamboo-like stems and yellow leaf-ribs. The foliage is evergreen, of fine texture and yellow-green in color. Pinnate, 6 to 8 pale green leaves per stem, 80 to 100 leaflets, to 8 feet long (2.4 m). Yellow if grown with enough light, 2 feet long. Yellow male and female flowers on the same inflorescence. Flower stalk coming from below the leaves. Fruit is yellow to purple, 2 cm, oval in shape. This is one of the most useful Palms of the tropics the world around. Native to Madagascar, Golden Cane Palm is tropical-looking, serves as a super, bamboo-like screening plant and is relatively pest-free. USES: According to NASA and Dr. B. C. Wolverton, these palm filters xylene and toluene from the air. Wolverton also specifies that, at 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) in height, the plant will transpire 1 liter of water per 24 hours, thereby making it an effective humidifier and Indore Plant.

25.04.13 156. Pintueli Gajjar

Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr. Orchidaceae ETYMOLOGY: From latinized Greek "papilio" butterfly; "anthos" flower. From the similarity of the flower to a butterfly. COMMON NAMES: Cylindrical Vanda • Manipuri: ল চতক লল Cheitek lei FOI: This species is very variable in form, size and color. But when a bunch of Cylindrical Vanda are in flower it is quite spectacular. This is the only specie in the genus that has no constriction in its cylindrical leaves and is bluntly pointed. Plants of Papilionanthe teres initiate branching before flowering but other vandaceous monopodial orchids throw branches mostly during the spring. Cylindrical Vanda is an epiphyte native to India, Nepal and adjacent areas. RECENT STUDIES: PB Mazumder and GD Sharma has conducted the In Vitro Propagation and Phytochemical Screening of Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr.


Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy Clusiaceae ETYMOLOGY: In honour of Laurent Garcin (1683-1751) a French Botanist who contributed a lot to the Oriental Taxonomy. COMMON NAMES: Kokam, Goa butter tree, Kokum butter tree, Mangosteen • Hindi: कोकम Kokum • Marathi: भेरिंड bheranda, शभरिं ड bhiranda, कोकिंब kokamba, कोकिंबी kokambi, रातिंबा ratamba, रातिंबी ratambi, तािंबडा आिंबा tambada amba • Tamil: murgal, murgal-mara • Malayalam: കാട്ടമ്പി kaattampi, വകാക്കം kokkam • Kannada: ಮುರ್ಗಿನ murgina, ಪುನಪುಿಳಿ punarpuli, devana huli • Oriya: Tintali • Gujarati: કોકમ Kokam • Konkani: शभरीिंड bhirind, कोकम kokam • Sanskrit: वक्ष ृ ामला Vrikshamia, Amlabija, Amlapura, Amlashaka. FOI: Kokum is a tree with a dense canopy of green leaves and red-tinged tender emerging leaves. It is indigenous to the Western Ghats region of India, along the western coast. The tree is large and handsome, having elliptic, oblong or oblong-lanceolate, deep-green glossy leaves, 5.5-8 cm long and 2.5-3 cm broad. The flowers are fleshy, dark pink, solitary or in spreading cluster. The fruit is brownish or brownish-gray, marbled with yellow, and is crowned by the 4-parted, stalkless stigma. There are from 6 to 8 seeds, and the pulp is juicy, white, and delicious in taste and odor. It is about the size of an orange. An average kokum tree bears hundreds of fruits during summer. When they are tender, they are green in color. As they ripen, they get the beautiful purple color. The fruits are plucked when they are ripe. The tree is a source of kokam butter which is used in cosmetics and confectionary. Flowering: November-February. USES: The outer cover of fruit is dried in the sun to get aamsul or kokam. It is used as a slightly sour spice in recipes from Maharashtra. Kokum yields a peculiar flavour and blackish red colour. It is a preferred substitute for tamarind in curries and other dishes from the Konkan region. It is also used in cuisine from Gujarat, where it is frequently used to add flavor and tartness to dal (lentil soup) for flavor balance, and parts of South India. The vessel on the left contains syrup which is obtained from the vessel containing kokum rinds, on the right. The syrup is used to make kokum sherbet. Kokum squash or kokum concentrate is used in preparing a drink (sherbet) which is bright red in colour. Kokum sherbet improves digestion and cools the body during summers RECENT STUDIES: VS Panda et al in 2013 has reported the Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Garcinia indica fruit rind in antitubercular drug-induced liver injury in rats. NM Lemos 2011 has done the Evaluation of neuroprotective and Analgesic role of garcinia indica Choisy aqueous fruit extract in Different experimental animal models.

23.04.13 154. N Arun Kumar

Hibiscus syriacus L. Malvaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Latin of Marsh Mallow "Hibiscum" or from Greek of Marsh Mallow "Ibiskos" COMMON NAMES: Althaea, Rose of Sharon. FOI: Rose of Sharon isn't a rose, but its large, flat blossoms and nectar attract hummingbirds and tiny insects. Native to China and India, they have been cultivated as long as records exist. The Chinese used the flowers and leaves for food. Thomas Jefferson grew them from seed, and was documented to have planted them at all three of his homes. The flowers on this woody shrub come in several colors, including white, pink, purple, and red. Its leaves don't come out until late in spring, causing false everal kinds have dark-colored centers in the flowers, and single-flowering types are quite common. Seedlings often sprout in nearby areas. Propagation from cuttings is usually preferred, because unlike seedlings, rooted cuttings will be exactly like their parents. Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea. The flower appears in national emblems, and Korea is compared poetically to the flower in the South Korean national anthem. The flower's name in Korean is mugunghwa (Hangul: 무궁화; Hanja: 無窮花). The flower's symbolic significance stems from the Korean word mugung, which means "eternity". RECENT STUDIES: YW Jang et al in 2012 has isolated Nonanoic Acid, an Antifungal Compound from this plant. R Punasiya et al in 2011 has proved the Anti bacterial Activity of Various Extract of this plant.

22.04.13 153. N Arun Kumar

Sambucus canadensis L. Adoxaceae ETYMOLOGY: From 'sambūca' an ancient stringed instrument of Asiatic origin which is supposedly made of Elder wood Sambucus edulus. COMMON NAMES: American Elder, elderberry, sweet elder. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON ADOXACEAE: Shrubs, less frequently perennial herbs, or small trees. Leaves opposite, simple or compound: ternate, biternate, ternate-pinnate, biternate-pinnate, or odd-pinnate. Inflorescences terminal panicles or umbellate, spicate, or capitate cymes. Flowers bisexual; calyx and corolla both connate, (3–)5-merous. Stamens 5 (Sambucus, Viburnum) or 5, 4, or 3 (Adoxa, Sinadoxa), alternate corolla lobes, inserted on corolla tube; filaments cleft into 2 semi-stamens (in Adoxa, Sinadoxa); anthers 1-celled, peltate, extrorse, longitudinally dehiscent; staminodes 5, 4, or 3, in inner whorl, opposite corolla lobes. Ovary semi-inferior to inferior, 1- or 3–5-loculed; styles 5, 4, or 3, connate or free, or absent; stigmas capitate or 2- or 3-fid. Fruit drupes; seeds 1 or 3–5. FOI: American elder is a bushy, multi-stemmed, wide spreading shrub with deciduous compound leaves. It gets 3-4 m tall with a similar spread, and its brittle branches are pithy and soft. Elderberry often forms dense thickets, because of "suckers" produced from the roots. The leaves are opposite, compound, up to a foot long. There are 5, 7 or 9 saw toothed leaflets, each about 2-6 in long. The lowest leaflets are often lobed. The star shaped white flowers are tiny, but arranged in showy sprays up to 10 in across. The flat-topped circular or domed flower clusters can be very abundant. The edible fruits are shiny blue-black drupes with 3-5 stoney seeds. They are 0.3-0.6 cm in diameter. American elder is native to North America, naturalized in many parts of India, particularly the Himalayas. It is also grown as an ornamental plant. Flowering: May-September.

152. N Arun Kumar

Asclepias physocarpa (E.Mey.) Schltr. Asclepiadaceae ETYMOLOGY: Asclepias refers to Asclepius, the Greek god of healing and medicine. This is ostensibly due to the folk-medicine remedies that various milkweeds have been used for. COMMON NAMES: Swan Plant, Balloon Plant. FOI: This small tree-like perennial from Jamaica and South America is sure to invoke curiosity. It's in the Milkweed family, and grows 4-6 ft tall. The flowers are white and inverted, like many milkweeds. It is the seed pods that are showy. They are balloon-like, translucent lime green, and have little spines sticking out. The seed case of this fantastic plant looks just like a swan, which gives it its other common name. Like all milkweeds they attract the lovely wanderer butterfly to the garden. The downside is that the seeds spread very easily throughout the garden on the breeze, so the plant does have some weed potential. Another problem is that it exudes a poisonous, milky sap. However it tastes bad and is not really the sort of thing you'd want to eat. Asclepias physocarpa also known as Swan or Balloon plant is a unique host plant for Monarch butterflies!


Albizia saman (Jacq.) Merr. Mimosaceae ETYMOLOGY: After Fidel Albizzi, an Italian naturalist of 18th century. COMMON NAMES: Rain Tree, Coco tamarind, Acacia preta, French tamarind, Saman, Monkey pod • Hindi: गुलाबी शिररि Gulabi Siris, Vilaiti siris • Bengali: Biliti siris • Tamil: Amaivagai, Thoongumoonji FOI: Large, handsome and spreading, the Rain Tree is easily recognised by its umbrella like canopy of evergreen, feathery foliage and puffs of pink flowers. It is frequently planted in groups or as an avenue because of its ability to keep its symmetrical conformation in spite of prevailing winds. It is a tree of rapid growth, brought originally from Central America to Sri Lanka and forwarded from there because it was considered to be a tree of great value for railway fuel. It often reaches a height of 27 m. and the strong, spreading branches may be nearly as long. The bark is dark grey, often bearing horizontal weals and the trunk frequently branches quite low down. From March to May and again towards the end of the year the green canopy is dotted all over with pink and white. During the rest of the year, too, there are usually quite a few flowers to be seen. The flowers appear like round, silken tufts, but actually each flower stalk bears one central and a surrounding circlet of florets, up to twenty in number. Each has a tube-shaped calyx and a tiny, yellow-lobed, crimson trumpet; bunches of long stamens, half pink and half white, protrude from each. The long, heavy leaves are twice pinnate and each pinna, of which there are four to eight pairs, bears from three to seven pairs of leaflets. These are oval and have no stalks, becoming larger and more curved towards the end. on its thickened base so that the leaves all lie sideways. In Malaysia this drooping of the leaves is considered to portend rain and is the explanation of the name Rain Tree, Hujan-hujan meaning "rain", but in India it is believed that the name was given because of a curious habit possessed by the tree of intermittently spraying the ground beneath with moisture. Later it was discovered that this was caused by multitudinous minute insects. The fruit is a fleshy pod, sweet to the taste and much relished by squirrels, horses and cattle. USES: Rain tree has long been a source of timber and livestock. feed (green forage and pods) for local consumption. Minor. medicinal and craft uses also are known. According to a research conducted at the School of Forestry of the Bogor Agricultural Institute, Indonesia, a mature tree with a crown diameter measuring 15 meters absorbed 28.5 tons of CO2 annually.

19.04.13 150. Jagat Flora

Jasminum malabaricum Wight Oleaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Persian ‫( یاسمين‬yasmin) (the Jasminum flower), named by botanist Carl von Linnaeus. COMMON NAMES: Malabar Jasmine, Wild jasmine • Marathi: कुिर kusar, रान मोगरा ran mogra • Malayalam: Kadambavalli

കടമ്പവള്ളി, Kattumulla കാട്ടുമുല്ല• Tamil: சைாடிவகை kotivakai • Kannada: Kadu mallige • Sanskrit: मुद्गर mudgara. FOI: Malabar Jasmine is a beautiful jasmine native to south India. It is a large climber, growing up to 3-5 m. Woody stems are 4 cm thick. Slender branches are spreading and trailing. Oppositely arranged membranous leaves are 8-12 cm long, and broadly ovate, with a sharp tip. The base of the leaf is either rounded or heart-shaped, and the stalk is 1-3 cm long. Fragrant white flowers appear in branched cymes at the end of branches, upto 50 in a single cyme. Petals are 6-10, 2 cm long, lance-like and spreading. The narrow tube below the petals is 2 cm long. It is found planted near many temples, and is used in worship. This one is very rare in northern parts of India


Ficus auriculata Lour. Moraceae ETYMOLOGY: The word Ficus is the Latin name of Edible Fig. COMMON NAME: Elephant Ear Fig, Roxburgh fig • Hindi: Fagoora, Phagoora, Tiamble, Timla, Tirmal • Mizo: Theibal • Nepali: िााँदमुरािई Chanadumari . FOI: Elephant Ear Fig a fig tree with very large leaves, reminding one of elephant ears. The young leaves start intensely red, and turn more and more green when reaching their ultimate size of up to 50 cm length. It is a tree 5-10 m tall, with crown wide, and a bole diameter of 10-15 cm. Bark is gray, smooth. Branchlets are sparsely pubescent. Stipules, falling off soon, are ovate-lanceolate, 1-1.5 cm. Leaves are alternately arranged, carried on 4-6 cm long stalks. They are obovate-elliptic to elliptic, 12-25 � 6-23 cm, papery, densely small tuberculate on the underside, hairless above, base shallowly heart-shaped to broadly wedge-shaped, margin irregularly toothed. Figs are clustered on short branchlets of old stems, dark red when mature, pear-shaped to spherical, with 4-6 longitudinal ridges and small tubercles. They are large for figs, 2-3.5 cm in diameter, covered with soft hairs. Figs are edible and sweet. In Meghalaya, fruits are eaten raw, leaves are lopped for highly palatable fodder. Elephant Ear Fig is found in the Himalayas, from Nepal to NE India, Burma, S. China, Indo-China and Malaya, at altitudes of 1000-2100 m.


Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa. Rutaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek Mythology 'Aegle' Means "dazzling light" is the one of the Hesperides who protected the golden apples of Immortality. May be in allusion to the Golden yellow colored fuits of this tree. COMMON NAMES: Bel, Beli fruit, Bengal quince, Stone apple, Wood apple • Hindi: बेल Bel • Manipuri: লহৈীখচগাক Heirikhagok • Marathi: Maredu • Tamil: Vilvam • Malayalam: Vilvam • Telugu: Sandiliyamu • Kannada: Bilvapatre • Bengali: হবল Bel • Konkani: Bello • Urdu: Bel • Assamese: হবল Bel • Gujarati: Bili • Sanskrit: Adhararuha, Sivadrumah, Tripatra. FOI: Bel is a fruit-bearing tree which is cultivated throughout India, as well as in Sri Lanka, northern Malaya, Java and in the Philippines. The tree, which is the only species in the genus Aegle, grows up to 15 meters tall and bears thorns and fragrant flowers. Leaves are alternate, pale green, trifoliate; terminal leaflet, 5.7 cm long, 2.8 cm broad, having a long petiole; the two lateral leaflets, almost sessile, 4.1 cm long, 2.2 cm wide, ovate to lanceolate having reticulate pinnate venation; petiole, 3.2 cm long. Flowers, greenish white, sweetly scented, bisexual, stalked; stalk, 8 mm long; diameter of a fully open flower is 3 cm; flowers, borne in lateral panicles of about 10 flowers, arising from the leaf axils. It has a woody-skinned, smooth fruit 5-15 cm in diameter. The skin of some forms of the fruit is so hard it must be cracked open with a hammer. It has numerous seeds, which are densely covered with fibrous hairs and are embedded in a thick, gluey, aromatic pulp. The fruit is eaten fresh or dried. The juice is strained and sweetened to make a drink similar to lemonade, and is also used in making Sharbat. is a sacred tree, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The offering of bael leaves is a compulsory ritual of the worship of Lord Shiva in the hills. This importance seems largely due to its medicinal properties. All parts of this tree, viz., root, leaf, trunk, fruit and seed, are used for curing one human ailment or another. USES: The fruit is eaten fresh or dried. If fresh, the juice is strained and sweetened to make a drink similar to lemonade. It can be made into sharbat (Hindi) or Bela pana (Oriya: ବେଲ ପଣା) or bel pana (Bengali: হবল পানা), a refreshing drink made of the pulp with water, sugar, and lime juice, mixed, left to stand a few hours, strained, and put on ice. One large bael fruit may yield five or six liters of sharbat. If the fruit is to be dried, it is usually sliced and sun-dried. The hard leathery slices are then simmered in water. The leaves and small shoots are eaten as salad greens. The Tamil Siddhars call the plant koovilam (கூவிைம்) and use the fragrant leaves for medicinal purposes, including dyspepsia and sinusitis. A confection called ilakam (இைைம்) is made of the fruit and used to treat tuberculosis and loss of appetite. It is used in Ayurveda for many purposes, especially chronic constipation. Aegeline (N-[2-hydroxy-2(4-methoxyphenyl) ethyl]-3-phenyl-2-propenamide) is a known constituent of the bael leaf and consumed as a dietary supplement for a variety of purposes. RECENT STUDIES: MS Baliga et al in 2012 has established the use of this plant as a cancer protective agent. His/Her team in 2010 has reported that this plant can protect the cancer patients from the side effects of Radiation Therapy. Several recent studies has proved the anti microbial and anti oxidant properties of it.


Homonoia riparia Lour. Euphorbiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Greek word 'Homonoia' means 'sameness of mind' in allusionb to the United stamens of this plant which have external resemblance to human brain. COMMON NAMES: Willow-Leaved Water Croton • Hindi: ेरनी Sherni • Marathi: रान कणेर raan kaner, ेरणी sherni • Tamil: ைாட்ைலரி kattalari • Malayalam: Attuvanchi ആറ്റുവഞ്ചി neervanchi നീ‍വഞ്ചി, puzhavanchi പുഴവഞ്ചി• Telugu: అడవి గనేేరు Adavi ganneru • Kannada: ಹೆೊಳೆ ನಗೆ hole nage, ಣೇರು ಕಣಗಳು Niru kanigalu • Oriya: thotthori • Assamese: Hil-kadam, Tuipui-

sulhla • Khasi: Jalangmynrei • Sanskrit: जलवेति Jalavetasa, क्षुद्रपाषाणभेद Kshudrapashanabheda. FOI: 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.

15.04.13 146. Blaise Pereira

Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Papilionaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Tamil Name of this plant 'Pongam' or from its Malayalam Counterpart 'Pongu' which means Something that floats may be in allusion to the floating fruits of this tree which disperse through water by floating. Common names: Pongam Tree, Indian Beech Tree, Pongame Oil Tree • Hindi: Karanj करिं ज • Tamil: புன்கன Punnai • Malayalam:

Pongu വപാങ്ങു്, Ungu ഉങ്• Oriya: Koranjo • Kannada: Honge • Marathi: करिं ज Karanj • Telugu: Pungu • Gujarati: કરં જ Karanja • Bengali: করাংজ Karanj • Assamese: Karchaw • Sanskrit: करिं जः Karanjah. FOI: A fast-growing deciduous tree up to 20 metres tall that is thought to have originated in India and is found throughout Asia. It is a deciduous tree that grows to about 15-25 meters in height with a large canopy that spreads equally wide. The leaves are a soft, shiny burgundy in early summer and mature to a glossy, deep green as the season progresses. Small clusters of white, purple, and pink flowers blossom on their branches throughout the year, maturing into brown seed pods. The tree is well suited to intense heat and sunlight and its dense network of lateral roots and its thick, long taproot make it drought tolerant. Flowering: March-April. USES: It is often used for landscaping purposes as a windbreak or for shade due to the large canopy and showy fragrant flowers. The flowers are used by gardeners as compost for plants requiring rich nutrients. The bark can be used to make twine or rope and it also yields a black gum that has historically been used to treat wounds caused by poisonous fish. The wood is said to be beautifully grained but splits easily when sawn thus relegating it to firewood, posts, and tool handles MEDICINAL USES: A thick brownish oil can be extracted from the large seeds, and is used industrially and in medicine, notably for the treatment of rheumatism. RECENT STUDIES: P Porwal et al 2010 has studied the Invitro Antioxidant Activty of this plant. V Kesari et al 2010 has established the antimicrobial activity from seed oil of it.


Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Rumph. ex A.Juss. Euphorbiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From 'Kodiho', its native name in Ternatea. COMMON NAME: Croton FOI: Crotons with their colorful, glossy foliage and variation of leaf types are popular plants. It is a native of the tropics from Java to Australia and the South Sea Islands. In the wild, garden croton is an evergreen shrub that grows to 10 ft tall and has large, leathery, shiny leaves. The cultivated garden crotons are usually smaller and come in an amazing diversity of leaf shapes and colors. What they do have in common are rather thick evergreen alternate leaves, tiny inconspicuous star-shaped yellow flowers that hang down in long racemes, and a milky sap that bleeds from cut stems. Depending on the cultivar, the leaves may be ovate to linear, entire to deeply lobed, and variegated with green, white, purple, orange, yellow, red or pink. The colors may follow the veins, the margins or they may be in blotches on the leaf. USES: As with many of the Euphorbiaceae, the sap is toxic and can cause skin eczema in some people. It is also toxic if eaten, though in small quantities, it has been used in herbal medicine to treat gastric ulcers.

13.04.13 144. Vinaya Raj V R

Aporosa cardiosperma (Gaertn.) Merr. Syn: Aporosa lindleyana (Wight) Baill. Euphorbiaceae ETYMOLOGY: from Greek words, Apo means away from and oros means mountains, in allusion to the habitat of the plant. COMMON NAME: Lindley's Aporosa • Kannada: Salle mara, Sali, Sarali, Sulla • Malayalam: Kodali, Kotili, Ponvetti, Vetti, Vittil • Tamil: Kodali, Vettikan, Vettil, Vittil, Vitti FOI: Lindley's Aporosa is a tree up to 15 m tall. Bark is smooth to shallowly fissured, brownish; blaze pink. Branchlets are round, hairless. Alternately spirally arranged leaves are narrow oblong to narrow elliptic, 7.5-17 x 3-7.5 cm. Tip is gradually long-pointed, sometimes falling off. Base is narrow to rounded. Leaves are papery, hairless, with the midrib raised above. Stipules are oblonglanceolate, pointed, falling off. Leaf stalks are 0.7-1.3 cm long, swollen at both ends. Flowers are unisexual, dioecious. Male flowers are borne in axillary catkins. Female flowers are borne in condensed cymes. Capsule is smooth, spherical, up to 1.3 cm across, 2-4 seeded. Lindley's Aporosa is found in Sri Lanka and throughout Western Ghats. It was named for John Lindley, 18th century British botanist and taxonomist, professor of botany in London University. USES: The roots of Aporosa lindleyana are used traditionally for insanity, head ache, fever, diabetes, loss of semen, skin diseases and liver diseases.

12.04.13 143. N Arun Kumar

Cycas revoluta Thunb. Cycadaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Greek word 'koikas' meaning palm, in allusion to the palm like nature of the Plant. COMMON NAME: Sago palm, King sago palm, Sago Cycad. FOI: Sago palms have become very popular landscape plants in modern, classy Indian gardens. But most people do not realize that these are not palms at all, despite the name and appearance. Sago palm is actually a cycad. Cycads are a group of plants that are very primitive in their origins. Fossils have been found on almost every continent on the planet. It is often stated that cycads have evolved little since the days of the dinosaurs. There are species that seemed to show little evolution over millions of years. Therefore as a group, cycads are often referred to as “living fossils”. Sago Palms have erect, sturdy trunks that are typically about one to two feet in diameter, sometimes wider and can grow into very old specimens with twenty feet of trunk. The leaves are a dark olive green and about three to four feet long when the plants are of a reproductive age. Sago palms are very slow growing plants. So, mostly one finds only young plants which have not grown a stem and look like a rosette of leaves coming from a stem near the ground. The name revoluta was given because of the revolute (to curl back) nature of the leaflets; the edges roll under the leaflet. USES: Very Common Garden Plant. The pith contains edible starch, and is used for making sago. Before use, the starch must be carefully washed to leach out toxins contained in the pith.


Combretum indicum (L.) DeFilipps Syn: Quisqualis indica Combretaceae ETYMOLOGY: The generic name Combretum was derived from the name given by Pliny (23 – 79 A.D.) to a climbing plant, the identity of which has been lost in time. COMMON NAMES: Rangoon Creeper, Burma creeper • Hindi: मधु मालती Madhu Malati • Manipuri: পাধরজাত Parijat • Marathi: Vilayati chambeli • Tamil: Irangun malli • Bengali: মিুমাংজরী Madhumanjari • Urdu: Ishq pechaan ‫ عسق پيچاں‬. FOI: Rangoon creeper is the most common vine in Delhi. It is not uncommon to see the creeper rooted only in a small hole in cemented groud, but the vine thriving and climbing high. Clusters of fragrant white pendulous trumpets open white then change to pink, red and finally a deep maroon. A vigorous twining climber blooming profusely throughout summer that can reach as much as 70 feet in tropical climates. This plant needs support for growing and is very useful in covering fences, supports, and walls. The fragrant white flowers grow in pendent racemes, quickly changing to pink then red, making a spectacular show. The growth rate is generally fast, and the plant does not make heavy fertilizer demands. Rangoon creeper does like medium to bright light. Under good conditions it will be necessary to prune the plant to keep it in bounds. Rangoon creeper is found in thickets or secondary forests of the Philippines, India and Malaysia. It has since been cultivated widely in the gardens as an easy to grow plant. USES: The plant is used as an herbal medicine. Decoctions of the root, seed or fruit can be used as antihelmintic to expel parasitic worms or for alleviating diarrhea. Fruit decoction can also be used for gargling. The fruits are also used to combat nephritis. Leaves can be used to relieve pain caused by fever. The roots are used to treat rheumatism. The seeds of this and related species, Q. fructus and Q. chinensis, contain the chemical quisqualic acid, which is an agonist for the AMPA receptor, a kind of glutamate receptor in the brain.

141. Bhagyashri Ranade

Santalum album L. Santalaceae ETYMOLOGY: The Sanskrit Word for Santalum 'Cahandan; got into persian as 'Chandal' which in turn given way to the arabic word 'Sandal'. Greeks adopted from arabic word and named it as 'Santalon'. The generic name Santalum is derived from santalon. COMMON NAMES: Sandalwood, Indian sandalwood, Fragrant sandalwood, White Sandalwood • Hindi: ििंदन Chandan, ििंदल Sandal • Manipuri: াংদন Chandan • Marathi: ििंदन Chandan, gandhachakoda • Tamil: Anukkam, Asam, சந்தநம் Chandanam • Malayalam: ചംദനമ് Chandanam, chandana-mutti • Telugu: Bhadrasri, చందనమ్ Chandanamu • Kannada: Agarugandha, bavanna, bhadrasri,

ಚಂದ್ಲ್ Chandala • Bengali: াংদন্ Chandan, হৱৱত াংদন Shwetchandan • Oriya: valgaka • Urdu: Sandal safaid • Sanskrit: अननिंहदता Anindita, Arishta-phalam, Bhadrasara, ििंदनम ् Chandanam. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON SANTALACEAE: The leaves are usually simple, entire, and spirally arranged, but a few genera have opposite leaves, some have reduced, scalelike leaves, and a few have no leaves, having flattened branches which imitate true leaves. The flowers are generally small and inconspicuous. The flower parts are united at the base and ends in a single whorl of 3 to 6 greenish or white segments. The number of stamens equals the number of flower parts segments and the stamens themselves are opposite the lobes. The ovary is inferior or semi-inferior and has one locule with 1-5 ovules, only one of which develops. FOI: Sandalwood is an evergreen tree, growing up to 4-9 m tall. The trees have a long life, and may live up to one hundred years of age. The tree is variable in habit, usually upright to sprawling, and may intertwine with other species. The plant parasitises the roots of other tree species, but without major detriment to its hosts. The reddish or brown bark can be almost black and is smooth in young trees, becoming cracked with a red reveal. The heartwood is pale green to white as the common name indicates. The oval leaves are thin, oppositely arranged. Smooth surface is shiny and bright green, with a glaucous pale underside. Fruit is produced after three years, viable seeds after five. These seeds are distributed by birds. Sandalwood oil was used traditionally to treat skin diseases, acne, dysentery, gonorrhea, and a number of other conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine, sandalwood oil is considered an excellent sedating agent. USES: S. album has been the primary source of sandalwood and the derived oil. These often hold an important place within the societies of its naturalised distribution range. The high value of the plant has led to attempts at cultivation, this has increased the distribution range of the plant. The long maturation period and difficulty in cultivation have been restrictive to extensive planting within the range. Harvest of the tree involves several curing and processing stages, also adding to the commercial value. The use of S. album in India is noted in literature for over two thousand years. It has use as wood and oil in religious practices. It also features as a construction material in temples and elsewhere. The Indian government has banned the export of the species to reduce the threat by over-harvesting. In the southern Indian state of Karnataka, all trees of greater than a specified girth are the property of the state. Cutting of trees, even on private property, is regulated by the Forest Department. The infamous forest bandit Veerappan was involved in the illegal felling of sandalwood trees from forests.


Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle Ranunculaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek word 'Akon' means arrow in allusion to the use of root juices of some species as arrow poison. COMMON NAME: Indian Atees • Hindi: arand, ateicha, atis, atvika • Kannada: athibaje, athivisha • Malayalam: ativitayam അതിവിതയം• Marathi: atavish, athivish • Nepali: Atis, bikh • Sanskrit: amrita, aruna, ataicha, atisaraghni, ativisa • Tamil: adhividayam, adivitaiyam, akuculapu • Telugu: athivaasa, atirasa, ativasa • Urdu: atees, atis shirin, beesh DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON RANUNCULACEAE:Members of the Ranunculaceae usually have five colored sepals instead of petals (except buttercups), and divided leaves and nonwoody tissue (except clematis). Leaves are usually divided or lobed, but are heart-shaped or narrow and undivided in some species of Ranunculus, and usually arise from the base of the plant, or alternately up the stem, but in Clematis they are opposite. Perennial species form small rhizomes or tubers which develop new roots each year. Flowers may be solitary, but are frequently found aggregated in cymes, panicles, or spikes. Many species have no true petals, and the 'flower' is formed by a brightly colored group of sepals called a calyx. There are usually five sepals per flower, though they come in a wide variety of shapes. Ranunculus (buttercups) is the only genus in this family with a true calyx and petals. There are many stamens surrounding many fused carpels. FOI: Indian Atees is a perennial herb, 1-4 ft tall, distinguished by its rather large greenish-purple, prominently darker-veined flowers, and its coarsely toothed but otherwise entire leaves. Flowers are 2.5-3 cm across, usually in lax, spike-like clusters with very variable bracts which are either small linear, small ovate, or large ovate and enclosing the lower part of the flower and fruit. They are hooded, rounded, broader than long. Leaves are ovate-heart-shaped to rounded, 4-8 cm, the upper ones stem-clasping, all with large rounded teeth. Lowest leaves are deeply lobed and long-stalked. At higher altitudes, sometimes plants are smaller in size. Seed pods are 1.6-1.8 cm, shortly hairy, erect. Indian Atees is found in the Himalayas, from Pakistan to C. Nepal, at altitudes of 2400-400 m. Flowering: August-September. MEDICINAL USES: The dried root of Indian Atees is the part which is believed to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiperiodic, aphrodisiac, astringent properties according to Ayurveda. RECENT STUDIES: AK Subash and A Augustine has established the cholesteron lowering effect of this plant. SK Prasad et al in 2012 has established its anti oxidant activity. S Verma et al in 2010 has proved its Anti-inflammatory activity.

08.04.13 139. Vinaya Raj V R

Ardisia solanacea (Poir.) Roxb. Primulaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek word 'Ardis' means a spear, in allusion to the spear shape of stamens or Petals. COMMON NAMES: Shoebutton Ardisia, duck's eye, ellliptical-leaf ardisia • Hindi: Bisi • Marathi: Kadna, Katapenga, Bugadi, Dikna, nilbedsi • Tamil: Manipudbam, Kozhikkottai, Narikandam • Malayalam: kaka-njara കാക്ക ാറ• Kannada: bodhina gida, shuli, bode, sore • Bengali: Banjam • Oriya: kuti • Nepali: दमाई फल Damaai Phal. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON PRIMULACEAE: Herbs perennial or annual, rarely suffruticose. Leaves alternate, opposite, or whorled, often all basal, simple, entire to lobed. Flowers solitary or in panicles, racemes, or umbels, usually with bracts, perfect, (4- or)5(--9)-merous, often heterostylous (Primula). Calyx persistent. Corolla gamopetalous, actinomorphic, rarely absent (Glaux). Stamens as many as and opposite corolla lobes, ± epipetalous, occasionally with scalelike staminodes. Filaments free or connate into a tube at base. Ovary superior, rarely semi-inferior (Samolus), unilocular; placentation free central; style simple; stigma inconspicuous, capitate. Fruit a capsule, dehiscing by valves, rarely circumscissile or indehiscent. Seeds many or few; embryo small, straight, surrounded by endosperm. FOI: Shoebutton Ardisia is a large, evergreen shurb, growing up to 1.5-4 m tall. Leaves are 10-20 cm long, oblanceolate to obovate, entire, tip narrow, with short stalks. Flowers are 1.5-2 cm across, pink or pinkish- white, in axillary, corymb-like racemes, shorter than the leaves. Petals spread outwards, broad, tube very short. Fruit is 7-13 mm in diameter, depressed-round, black with pink juice when ripe, tipped by style base, supported on persistent sepals. Shoebutton Ardisia is a native of moist ravines and forests almost throughout India. It is also found in the Himalayas, at altittudes of 200-1100 m, Kumaun to Sikkim. Sometimes cultivated in gardens for its evergreen habit and showy pink flowers. Flowering: March-August.


Elaeocarpus serratus L. Elaeocarpaceae ETYMOLOGY: : From Greek Ealeo (έλαιο) means oil and 'Carpus' means Fruit alluding to the oily fruits of some species. COMMON NAMES: Tamil: Karai, Karamaram, Olan karai, Ulang karei, Uttraccham Malayalam: Avi, Avil, Karamavu, Nalla kara, Perinkara, Perunkara, Rudraksham, Valiya karai Kannada: Athakunge, Beegada mara, Beejada mara FPK-KFRI: Trees, to 20 m high, aerial roots on large buttresseses; bark 8-10 mm thick brown, mottled with grey; blaze red. Branchlets, petioles, peduncles and young leaves densely pubescent. Leaves simple, alternate; petiole 15-40 mm, slender, pubescent, swollen tipped, with 2 minute glands at tip; lamina 5-14 x 2-6.2 cm, elliptic-obovate or elliptic ovate, base acute or cuneate, apex acute, caudate-acuminate or obtusely acuminate, margin crenate-serrate, glabrous, coriaceous; lateral nerves 3-8 pairs, pinnate, prominent, intercostae reticulate, slender, prominent, domatia glandular. Flowers bisexual, white, in axillary racemes to 8 cm long; sepals 5, ovate, pubescent on outside, densely glandulose, valvate; petals 5, laciniate, inserted round the base of glandular disc; stamens many, inserted between the glands on the disc; anthers not awned, tipped with hairs; ovary superior, densely tomentose, raised on torus, 3celled, ovules 2 in each cell; style subulate, entire. Fruit a drupe, subglobose, green, style persistent; stone tubercled; seed one. USES: frults are used to cure dysentery and dlarrhoea. Leaf paste applied externally in rheumatism. RECENT STUDIES: MN Parvin et al in 2009 has proved the In-vitro Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant properties of this plant. L Jayasinghe and NR Amarasinghe in 2012 has isolated Antioxidant flavonol glycosides from it.


Cyperus michelianus subsp. pygmaeus (Rottb.) Asch. & Graebn. Cyperaceae ETYMOLOGY: Supposed to be derived form 'Cypris' a name of venus from the roots of some species being aphrodisiacal. EFLORA: Tufted, annual, 3-22 cm. Roots fibrous. Stem 0.7-1.2 mm diam., trigonous, smooth. Leaves to as long as stem; sheaths to 50 mm, wide, soft, grey-brown or often reddish, mouth margin concave or almost straight; blades to 10 cm long, 1.5-2.5 mm wide, grey green, flat or folded, keeled, margins often recurved, smooth or scabrous, apex trigonous, acute, scabrous. Inflorescence 7-17 mm diam., a regularly globose head of 5-9 globose, sessile, spirally arranged partial inflorescences, tightly pressed together and separately indistinguishable; 4-7 bracts foliose, up to 70 mm, much exceeding length of inflorescence, first erect, finally reflexed; partial inflorescences formed by 10-40 sessile spikes, tightly spirally arranged; spikes 2.5-3.5 x 0.8-1.4 mm, narrowly obovoid, compressed, with 20-28 glumes, glume-like bract long-awned, glumes distichously arranged, 1.4-1.6 mm, narrowly cymbiform, mid-nerve green, prominent, raised, 1-3 nerved on both sides, margins scarious, brownish towards the apex. Flowers mostly bisexual; stamens 1-0; stigmas 2. Nut 1-1.1 x 0.4 mm, ellipsoid, lenticular or plano-convex, not winged, yellow-brown, papillose and finely reticulate.

05.03.13 136. Vinaya Raj V R

Sansevieria trifasciata Prain Asparagaceae ETYMOLOGY: The genus was originally named Sanseverinia by Petagna to honor his patron Pietro Antonio Sanseverino, Count of Chiaromonte (1724-1771). Common names: Snake Plant, Mother-in-law's tongue FOI: Sansevieria trifasciata is commonly called the snake plant, because of the shape of its leaves, or mother-in-law's tongue because of their sharpness. It forms dense stands, spreading by way of its creeping rhizome, which is sometimes above ground, sometimes underground. Its stiff leaves grow vertically from a basal rosette. Mature leaves are dark green with light gray-green cross-banding and usually range between 70-90 cm in length and 5-6 cm in width. Snake Plant, is native to Africa. It has stiff sword-shaped leaves to 4 feet long by 2.75 inches wide. Leaves are banded yellow on either side with a deep green, lightly banded center. It is grown for the hemplike fiber in the leaves, which is called bowstring hemp. They are an attractive plant for pot culture and are very durable to a wide range of condition. The flowers are greenish-white and are on 18-inch spikes in spring. Snake plant will survive in a wide range of conditions. They tolerate the low light conditions and are very drought tolerant. They are propagated by division of rhizomes at anytime of the year. USES: Like some other members of its genus, S. trifasciata yields bowstring hemp, a strong plant fiber once used to make bowstrings.It is now used predominantly as an ornamental plant, outdoors in warmer climates, and indoors as a houseplant in cooler climates. It is popular as a houseplant as it is tolerant of low light levels and irregular watering; during winter it needs only one watering every couple of months. It will rot easily if overwatered.A study by NASA found that it is one of the best plants for improving indoor air quality by passively absorbing toxins such as nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde.Numerous cultivars have been selected, many of them for variegated foliage with yellow or silvery-white stripes on the leaf margins. Popular cultivars include 'Compacta', 'Goldiana', 'Hahnii', 'Laurentii', 'Silbersee', and 'Silver Hahnii'. 'Hahnii' was discovered in 1939 by William W. Smith, Jr. in the Crescent Nursery Company, New Orleans, Louisiana. The 1941 patent was assigned to Sylvan Frank Hahn, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.The variety S. trifasciata var. laurentiiand the cultivar 'Bantel's Sensation' have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It can be propagated by cuttings or by dividing the rhizome. The first method has the disadvantage that the variegation is likely to be lost.

04.03.13 135. Santosh Thakur

Morus alba L. Moraceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Celtic word 'Mor' Meaning Black; in allusion to the black color of the fruit in some genus. COMMON NAME: White Mulberry, Russian Mulberry, Silkworm Mulberry • Hindi: हतूत Shahtoot • Tamil: ைம்பிைிச Kambli chedi • Manipuri: কব্রঙ াক অচঙৌবা Kabrangchak angouba. FOI: A beatiful, large leaved, naturally well shaped tree that offers dense shade. Grows at about 1 ft/yr to 30 ft. Berries are mildly sweet, reminiscent of watermelon. This is the mulberry used to feed silkworms. Birds love the berries. The white mulberry is so-named for the color of its buds, rather than the color of its fruit. The thin, glossy, light green leaves are variously lobed even on the same plant. Some are unlobed while others are glove-shaped. Leaves of the red mulberry are larger and thicker, blunt toothed and often lobed. Mulberry trees are either dioecious or monoecious, and sometimes will change from one sex to another. The flowers are held on short, green, pendulous, nondescript catkins that appear in the axils of the current season's growth and on spurs on older wood. They are wind pollinated and some cultivars will set fruit without any pollination. Cross-pollination is not necessary. Botanically the fruit is not a berry but a collective fruit. The color of the fruit does not identify the mulberry species. White mulberries, for example, can produce white, lavender or black fruit. The white mulberry is native to eastern and central China. USES: White mulberry leaves are the preferred feedstock for silkworms, and are also cut for food for livestock (cattle, goats, etc.) in areas where dry seasons restrict the availability of ground vegetation. The fruit are also eaten, often dried or made into wine. In traditional Chinese medicine, the fruit is used to treat prematurely grey hair, to "tonify" the blood, and treat constipation and diabetes. The bark is used to treat cough, wheezing, edema, and to promote urination. It is also used to treat fever, headache, red dry and sore eyes. For landscaping, a fruitless mulberry was developed from a clone for use in the production of silk in the U.S. The industry never materialized, but the mulberry variety is now used as an ornamental tree where shade is desired without the fruit. A weeping cultivar of white mulberry, Morus alba 'Pendula', is a popular ornamental plant.


e Gnetum latifolium var. funiculare Markgr. Gnetaceae ETYMOLOGY: From latin word Gneton meaninf Race may be in allusion to the facet that the gnetum forms a unique race in gymnosperms. COMMON NAMES: Joint Fir • Marathi: उिं बळी umbli • Tamil: anapendu, peiodal • Malayalam: nowukatte • Telugu: apajuttili, kaloi, loluga tige, luliti • Kannada: ನವುರು ಕಟ್ೆೆ navuru katte, kodkamballi FPK-KFRI: Woody lianas. Leaves opposite, 10-18 x 5-9 cm, elliptic-ovate or oblong, coriaceous, acute, base rounded or acute; petiole to 1.5 cm. Panicles axillary arising from mature wood; bracts cupular; male strobilus - to 5 cm long, bracteoles 2.5 mm; stamens 1, exserted; female strobilus to 7 cm long; ovary globose. Fruit 2, 3 x 2 cm, ellipsoid, yellow. WIKI: Gnetum is a genus of about 30-35 species of gymnosperms, the sole genus in the family Gnetaceae and order Gnetales. They are tropical evergreen trees, shrubs and lianas. Unlike other gymnosperms they possess vessel elements in the xylem. Some species have been proposed to have been the first plants to be insect pollinated as their fossils occur in association with the extinct pollinating scorpionflies. Molecular phylogenies based on nuclear and plastid sequences from most of the species indicate hybridization among some of the Southeast Asian species. Fossil-calibrated molecular-clocks suggest that the Gnetum lineages now found in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia are the result of ancient long-distance dispersal across seawater


Aegilops tauschii Coss. Poaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Latin aegilops or from Ancient Greek αἰγίλωψ (aigilops, “haver-grass, Aegilops ovata, an herb of which goats are fond”). COMMON NAMES: Tausch's Goat-Grass, Rough spike hard grass. FOI: Tausch's Goat-Grass is an annual caespitose herb. Culms are erect, or geniculately ascending; 25-30 cm long. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 8-17 cm long; 3-5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; glabrous, or pilose. Inflorescence is composed of racemes. Racemes 1; single; linear; smoothly terete; bilateral; 5–10 cm long; 5–8 mm wide; bearing 9–11 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis fragile at the nodes. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes oblong; falling with spikelet above. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile. Tausch's Goat-Grass is found in Eastern Europe, Soviet Middle Asia, Caucasus, western Asia, and China and India.


Macaranga peltata Euphorbiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From sanskrit words 'Markat' Monkey, 'Anga' Body, means body of the Monkey in allusion to the pubescent nature of the fruits which resemble the body of a monkey. COMMON NAMES: Chandada • Hindi: Chand Kal • Marathi: Chanda, Chandwar • Tamil: Vattakanni • Malayalam: Thodukanni, Uppila, Vatta • Telugu: Boddi • Kannada: Vattathamarai, Chanda kala • Oriya: Piania • Konkani: Kondatamara FOI: Chandada is a resinous tree, to 10 m tall. Young parts are velvet hairy. Leaves are 20-50 x 12-21 cm, alternately arranged, circular or broadly ovate, entire or minutely dentate, palmately 9-nerved. Leaf stalk is attached on the lower surface of the leaf, not on the base. Flowers occur in long panicles in leaf axils; male minute, numerous, clustered in the axils of large bracts with dentate apex, 5-6 mm long. Petals (rather perianth lobes) 3, stamens 3 ; filaments short ; anthers 2-celled. Capsule 4-5 mm across, spherical ; 2-valved ; seed 1, rounded, blackish. Flowering:January-February. USES: Leaves are commonly used for flavoring in Sri Lanka. Halapa dough is often flattened on its leaf to soak in the flavor. The leaves are used to wrap jaggery and other sweetmeats. RECENT STUDIES: KN Vinod et al in 2010 has enumerated a Natural colorant from the bark this tree and its kinetic and adsorption studies on silk. M Verma et al in 2010 has screened this plant for its antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activity.

31.03.13

NO ELIGIBLE ID CONFIRMED POST


Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia (Roxb.) A.Chev. Sapotaceae ETYMOLOGY: Latin version of the Sanskrit word 'Madhu'; for the nectary from the flowers are fermented to prepare a country beverage. COMMON NAMES: South Indian Mahua, Indian Butter Tree • Hindi: Mahua महुआ • Bengali: Maul • Marathi: Mohwa • Tamil: Kat-illipi • Malayalam: Illipa ഇല്ിപ് Irippa ഇരിപ്• Telugu: Ippa. FOI: South Indian Mahua is a variety of Mahua which is predominently found in South India. It differs from the usual Mahua in that its leaves are narrower. Mohua is one of the most important of Indian forest trees, not because it may possess valuable timber - and it is hardly ever cut for this purpose - but because of its delicious and nutritive flowers. It is a tree of abundant growth and, to the people of Central India, it provides their most important article of food as the flowers can be stored almost indefinitely. It is large and deciduous with a thick, grey bark, vertically cracked and wrinkled. Most of the leaves fall from February to April, and during that time the muskyscented flowers appear. They hang in close bunches of a dozen or so from the end of the gnarled, grey branchlets. The reddish young leaves with the flower clusters look very attractive. The flower stalks are green or pink and furry, about 5 cm. long. The plum-coloured calyx is also furry and divides into four or five lobes; within them lies the globular corolla, thick, juicy and creamy white. Through small eyelet holes at the top, the yellow anthers can be seen. The stamens are very short and adhere to the inner surface of the corolla; the pistil is a long, protruding green tongue. It is at night that the tree blooms and at dawn each short-lived flower falls to the ground. A couple of months after the flowering period the fruit opens. They are fleshy, green berries, quite large and containing from one to four shiny, brown seeds. USES Medicinally the tree is very valuable. The bark is used to cure leprosy and to heal wounds, tne flowers are prepared to relieve coughs, biliousness and heart-trouble while the fruit is given in cases of consumption and blood diseases.

29.03.13 133. Sangeetha Belliappa

Couroupita guianensis Aubl. Lecythidaceae ETYMOLOGY: From south American local name of the plant 'Couroupito-Utoumou' COMMON NAMES: Cannon Ball Tree • Hindi: Nagalinga नागशलिंग, Tope gola तोप गोला • Kannada: Lingada mara, Nagalingam • Marathi: Shivalingam •Malayalam: Shivalingapushapam ശിവല്ിംഗപുഷ്പം, Nagalingamaram നാഗല്ിംഗമരം •Bengali: Kaman gola • Tamil: நாைலிங்ைம் Naagalingam. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON LECYTHIDACEAE: Trees or shrubs, evergreen. Leaves alternate, usually crowded toward apices of branchlets, shortly petiolate; stipules usually absent; leaf blade simple. Flowers showy, borne in short, bracteate racemes or spikes, actinomorphic or zygomorphic, bisexual. Calyx with a campanulate tube adnate to ovary; lobes 4–6, thick. Petals 4–6, free, rarely absent. Stamens many, united at base into several whorls, often several sterile, either monadelphous and equally arranged around disk, or diadelphous in 2 unequal bundles, outermost staminodial; anthers basifixed, 2-celled, opening by longitudinal slits. Disk sometimes lobed. Ovary inferior or semiinferior, 2–6-loculed; ovules 1 to many per locule; placentation axile; style terminal, simple; stigma capitate. Fruit an indehiscent berry or operculate capsule, often crowned by persistent calyx lobes. Seed[s] 1 [to many]; endosperm absent FOI: This large deciduous tropical tree, 75' tall and indigenous to the Amazon rainforest, is listed as a rare tree and flower in India. The leaves, up to 6" long, are simple with serrate margin; it flowers in racemes which is cauliflorus; the yellow, reddish and pink flowers are stunning fragrant. These are 3" to 5" waxy aromatic smelling, pink and dark-red flowers growing directly on the bark of the trunk. The tree bears, directly on the trunk and main branches, large globose woody fruits; they look like big rusty cannonballs hanging in clusters, like balls on a string. Cannon ball trees usually carry 'CAUTION' signs posted on the trunks to advise people not to stand close to and directly under the fruits as one can get hurt as they drop off by themselves. The fruit contains small seeds in a white, unpleasant smelling white jelly, which are exposed when the upper half of the fruit goes off like a cover. The long dangling fruity branches give the tree an unkempt appearance. The hard shells are used to make containers and utensils. Cannon ball flowers are considered of special significance in Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka. In Tamil Nadu, it is called Nagalingam flower. The sivalingam shape is visible at the center of the flower and snake shaped pollen is the specialty of this flower and it has very good fragrance. This rare flower can be used for Shiva Pooja. USES:The Cannonball Tree possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and analgesic qualities. The trees are used to cure colds and stomach aches. Juice made from the leaves is used to cure skin diseases, and shamans of South America have even used tree parts for treating malaria. The inside of the fruit can disinfect wounds and young leaves ease toothache. The fruit emits an unpleasant odor and can be used as an insect repellent just by rubbing it to the skin or clothes. RECENT STUDIES: MMG Pinheiro et al in 2013 has proved the Anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract and fractions from leaves of this plant. NA Al-Dhabi in 2012 has studied the Antimicrobial, antimycobacterial and antibiofilm properties of fruit extract of this plant.

28.03.13 132. Pritha Gupta Buxy

Mangifera indica L. Anacardiaceae COMMON NAMES: Mango • Hindi: Am आम • Manipuri: Heinou • Tamil: மா Ma • Telugu: Mamidi • Malayalam: Mangga • Kannada:

Mavina mara • Marathi: Amba अिंबा • Konkani: Ambo आिंबॉ ETYMOLOGY: The name mango, almost identical in countless languages, is derived from Tamil (Manga, Mambalam) the most important language of Southern India or from Malayalam (Manga) and was transferred to the West by the Portuguese. T DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON ANACARDIACEAE: Flowers grow at the end of a branch or stem or at an angle from where the leaf joins the stem and have bracts. Often with this family bisexual and male flowers on some plants, and bisexual and female flowers on others or flowers having both stamens and pistils (perfect). Calyx with 3 to 7 cleft sepals and the same number of petals, occasionally no petals, overlapping each other in the bud. Stamens twice as many or equal to the number of petals, inserted at the base of the fleshy ring or cup-shaped disk, and inserted below the pistil(s). stamen stalks separate, anthers able to move. Flowers have the ovary free, but the petals and stamen are borne on the calyx. In the stamenate flowers, ovaries are 1-celled. In the pistillate flowers, ovaries are 1-celled or sometimes 4-5-celled. 1-3 styles and 1 ovule in each cavity FOI: It is a matter of astonishment to many that the delicious mango, one of the most celebrated of Indian fruits, is a member of the family Anacardiaceae–notorious for embracing a number of highly poisonous plants. The mango tree is erect, 30 to 100 ft high, with a broad, rounded canopy which may, with age, attain 100 to 125 ft in width, or a more upright, oval, relatively slender crown. In deep soil, the taproot descends to a depth of 20 ft, the profuse, wide-spreading, feeder root system also sends down many anchor roots which penetrate for several feet. The tree is long-lived, some specimens being known to be 300 years old and still fruiting. Nearly evergreen, alternate leaves are borne mainly in rosettes at the tips of the branches and numerous twigs from which they droop like ribbons on slender petioles 1 to 4 in long. Hundreds and even as many as 3,000 to 4,000 small, yellowish or reddish flowers, 25% to 98% male, the rest hermaphroditic, are borne in profuse, showy, erect, pyramidal, branched clusters 2 1/2 to 15 1/2 in high. There is great variation in the form, size, color and quality of the fruits. They may be nearly round, oval, ovoid-oblong, or somewhat kidneyshaped, often with a break at the apex, and are usually more or less lop-sided. USES: The king of Fruits RECENT STUDIES: D Philip in 2011 has shown the mango leaf-assisted biosynthesis of well-dispersed silver nanoparticles. H Kim et al in 2010 has proved the Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of mango flesh and peel. J Pourahmad et al in 2010 has proved the hepatoprotective activity of fruit extract of Mangifera indica L. against oxidative stress cytotoxicity.


Cipadessa baccifera (Roth) Miq. Meliaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Latin words 'Cipus' means tomb and 'adesa' means present, in allusion to the growth of the plant in places like Graveyards. COMMON NAMES: Ranabili • Hindi: Nalbila • Marathi: Ranabili, Gudmai • Tamil: Puilipan cheddi • Malayalam: Kaipanarangi, Potti, Pulippanchedi • Kannada: Narsullu, Chitunde, Karbe • Urdu: Ranabili DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON MELIACEAE: Trees, shrubs, or sometimes shrublets, monopodial or sympodial, usually dioecious, less often monoecious or polygamodioecious. Stipules absent. Leaves in spirals, very rarely opposite, usually pinnate; leaflets opposite, subopposite, or alternate; leaflet blades with base somewhat oblique, margin usually entire or rarely lobed or serrate. Flowers usually in axillary thyrses, rarely racemose or spicate. Calyx small, 3–6-lobed or with distinct sepals, usually cup-shaped or tubular, imbricate or valvate in bud. Corolla contorted or imbricate, sometimes quincuncial. Petals (3 or)4 or 5(or 6), rarely more, distinct or connate, sometimes adnate to staminal tube and then valvate. Stamens 3–10 or more, hypogynous, mostly with a staminal tube (distinct stamens in Cedrela and Toona); anthers usually sessile on stamen tube, erect, included or exserted, 2-celled, longitudinally dehiscing. Disk tubular, annular, obsolete, or absent, free or adnate to ovary. Ovary usually free, 2–5(or more)-locular, with 1 to many collateral or superposed ovules per locule; style single or rarely absent; stigma disciform or capitate. Fruit a berry (dry but indehiscent with arillate seeds in some Aglaia sect. Aglaia), capsule, or rarely a drupe. Seeds winged or with a fleshy aril or sarcotesta wholly or partly covering seed; endosperm fleshy or usually absent. FOI: 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.

26.03.13 130. Satish Phadke

Anogeissus acuminata (Roxb. ex DC.) Guill. Combretaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek words 'Ano' Means Upwards and 'Geisso' means roof or tiles; alluding to the horizontally flat two winged seeds. COMMON NAMES: Buttontree • Hindi: Dhau, Dhoy, धौरा Dhaura • Tamil: நுந்சநைா Nunnera • Malayalam: Panchman, Vekkali • Bengali: Itchri • Telugu: Pasi Chettu, Pedda Manu, Bu-Chakaram • Urdu: Pasi DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON COMBRETCEAE: Leaves are simple, alternate or opposite, entire; stipules small or absent. The flowers are bisexual or sometimes unisexual, usually actinomorphic. The perianth arises from near the summit of a tubular epigynous zone; calyx of usually 4 or 5 distinct to slightly connate sepals; corolla commonly of 4 or 5 distinct petals, occasionally absent. The androecium of 4-10 stamens is adnate to the epigynous zone, commonly in two cycles, often strongly exserted. The gynoecium is a single compound pistil of 2-5 carpels; style and stigma 1; ovary inferior, with 1 locule containing 2(-6) apical ovules pendulous on long funiculi. FOI: Anogeissus is a genus of trees native to South Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa. Buttontree is a moderate sized tree with small leaves, which fall early in the dry season. Before falling the foliage of these trees turns a beautiful yellowish red. The leafy branches are pendulous and hang down gracefully. Leaves upto 3 cm appear in nearly opposite pairs. Tiny yellowish green flowers occur in spherical heads about 1 cm wide. Protruding stamens are prominently visible like a fuzz on the round heads. Fruits are sort of circular, clustered in round heads. Flowering: June-September. RECENT STUDIES: K Hemamalini et al in 2010 has revealed the Anti inflammatory and analgesic effect of methanolic extract of this plant. Another study by her group in 2011 has proved the WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT CRUDE EXTRACTS OF it.


Ixora brachiata Roxb. Rubiaceae ETYMOLOGY: The portuguese version of the term 'Iswari', a name of the Hindu Goddess Paravti in Malabar region, to which flowers of I. coccinea are offered and considered auspicious. COMMON NAME: Gorbale (Marathi), Gurani, Kurati (Konkani) FOI: Gorbale is a small tropical tree found in evergreen forests of southern parts of India, like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, to 10 m tall. Oppositely arranged leaves, 14-16 x 3.5-6.5 cm, are elliptic-oblong or elliptic-obovate, with obtuse tip and acute base. Flowers 5-6 mm long, white, sessile or subsessile, in terminal paniculata cymes ; peduncle 10-15 cm long, reddish, compressed, pubescent. The branches of the clusters are red in color and the flowers are tiny white, with 4 narrow petals. Flower tube is 5-6 mm long, narrow, with petals 2 mm long, oblong, bent abruptly backward. Fruit is 7-8 mm across, round or slightly 2-lobed, reddish; seeds 1 or 2. Flowering: December-February.


Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand. Asclepiadaceae ETYMOLOGY: Calotropis originated from the Greek 'Kalo' Means Beautiful and 'Tropis' means A Keel, referring to the Beautiful Keel or Corona it have. COMMON NAMES: Crown Flower • Hindi: Safed aak िफ़ैद आक • Manipuri: অাংচকাত Angkot • Tamil: எருக்கு Erukku • Telugu: Jilledi Puvvu జిలలేడి పువుు.

DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON ASCLEPIADACEAE: The flowers are bisexual, nearly always actinomorphic, and usually include an elaborate crown or corona of nectariferous appendages between the corolla and sexual parts. The calyx consists of 5 distinct or basally connate sepals. The inner perianth is a 5-lobed sympetalous corolla. The androecium and gynoecium are nearly always adnate into a gynostegium with five highly modified stamens and a massive, 5-lobed stigma. The anthers usually produce paired sacs of pollen called pollinia that are transferred as a unit during pollination. The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of two nearly distinct carpels that are separate at the level of the ovaries and styles and are united only by a single massive stigma. The ovaries are distinct, nearly always superior, and each has a single locule with numerous marginal ovules. The fruit is a follicle. Seeds usually have a tuft of hairs at one end. FOI: This large shrub, which looks like a small tree, sports clusters of waxy flowers that are either white or lavender in color. Each flower consists of five pointed petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from the center, which holds the stamens. The plant has oval, light green leaves and milky stem. The flowers last long, and in Thailand they are used in various floral arrangements. They were also supposed to be popular with the Hawaii queen Liliuokalani, who considered them as symbol of royalty and wore them strung into leis. In India, the plant is common in the compounds of temples. The fruit is a follicle and when dry, seed dispersal is by wind. The seeds with a parachute of hairs, is a delight for small children, who like to blow it and watch it float in the air. This plant plays host to a variety of insects and butterflies. USES: Traditionally alotropis is used alone or with other medicinals to treat common disease such as fevers, rheumatism, indigestion, cough, cold, eczema, asthma, elephantiasis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea . According to Ayurveda, dried whole plant is a good tonic, expectorant, depurative, and anthelmintic. The dried root bark is a substitute for ipecacuanha. The root bark is febrifuge, anthelmintic, depurative, expectorant, and laxative. The powdered root used in asthama, bronchitis, and dyspepsia. The leaves are useful in the treatment of paralysis, arthralegia, swellings, and intermittent fevers. The flowers are bitter, digestive, astringent, stomachic, anthelmintic, and tonic. Calotropis is also a reputed Homoeopathic drug. Calotropis yields a durable fiber (commercially known as Bowstring of India) useful for ropes, carpets, fishing nets, and sewing thread. Floss, obtained from seeds, is used for stuffing purposes. Fermented mixture of Calotropis and salt is used to remove the hair from goat skins for production of "nari leather" and of sheep skins to make leather which is much used for inexpensive book-binding. Fungicidal and insecticidal properties of Calotropis have been reported. RECENT STUDIES: Studies by PT Deshmukh et al in 2009 has proved the Wound healing activity of its root bark. G Lodhi et al in 2009 has proved the liver protecting activity of this plant. V Bulani et al in 2011 has proved the anti inflammatory activity of this plant.

23.03.13 127. N Arun Kumar

Atalantia monophylla DC. Rutaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named after the Legend of Atalanta a character in Greek mythology. Atalanta was the daughter of Schoeneus and she was uninterested in marriage, agreed to marry only if her suitors could outrun her in a footrace. Those who lost would be killed. Her father King Schoeneus agreed to this condition and many young men died in the attempt until Hippomenes came along. Hippomenes asked the goddess Aphrodite for help, and she gave him three golden apples in order to slow Atalanta down. The apples were irresistible, so every time Atalanta got ahead of Hippomenes, he rolled an apple ahead of her, and she would run after it. In this way, Hippomenes won the footrace and came to marry Atalanta. This plant was named in allusion of its fruit's Golden yellow colour resembling the golden apples. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON RUTACEAE: Gland Dotted Vegetative Parts, Laminate Nectariferous Disk Below the ovary and Opdiplostemonous Condition (Having stamens double the number of Petals which is arranged in two whorls with outer whorl opposite to the Petal). COMMON NAME: Indian Atalantia FOI: Indian Atalantia is a small, much-branched tree with rounded twigs usually slightly hairy at first, becoming hairless, with single, stout, sharp spines, 1-1.5 or 2 cm long, or unarmed. Leaves are bright green above, paler and reticulate-veined below, ovatelanceshaped or elliptical, variable in size, 3-15 X 2-4 cm (usually 4-8 X 2.5-3.5 cm), margins entire or slightly wavy, tips obtusely rounded, often notched, bases broadly wedge-shaped, jointed with the wingless petioles that are 5-10 mm long and 1.5-2 mm wide. Veins are strongly marked on the under surface, 10-14 on each side, branched, forming a network of veins and also forked near the margins. Flowers are long-stalked in short racemes or clusters in the axils of the leaves, with stalks 0.6-1.5 cm long, finely pubescent or glabrous, merging into the calyx. Sepal cup is more or less irregularly and deeply 2-cleft. Flowers have parts in 4s or 5s, petals white, hairless, bluntly rounded at the tip, 0.8-1 cm long. Stamens are 8-10, united into a tube 6-8 mm long with the anthers borne on the free tips of the filaments. Pistil is slender, 6-7 X 1 mm, ending in an abruptly expanded, 3-4-lobed stigma, 1.2-1.5 mm diam.; style caducous; fruits globose, 1.5-2 cm diam., yellowish-green when ripe. USES: A. monophylla has very hard wood that has been recommended as a substitute for boxwood . The fruits are said to yield a warm oil used in treating chronic rheumatism by native doctors. The fruits "make a nice pickle". A.monophylla can be grafted on Citrus, and vice versa." RECENT STUDIES: R Mahesh et al in 2012 has evaluated the anti-diabetic activity of methanolic extract from the bark this plant. Studies by DK Pandey et l in 2010 has proved the anti-oxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of its bark extract.

22.03.13 126. Ashok Lic

Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston Bixaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Italian word 'Kochlo' means twisted and spermum means seed, in allusion to the twisted seeds. COMMON NAME: Buttercup tree, Yellow slik cotton tree, Golden silk cotton tree • Hindi: Galgal • Marathi: Ganeri गणेरी • Tamil: Kattupparutti • Konkani: Kondagogu • Bengali: Sonali simul • Kannada: Arasina buruga • Malayalam: Cempanni വചമ്പന്നി• Telugu: Konda gogu. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON BIXACEAE: Shrubs or small trees. Latex coloured. Stipules present. Leaves alternate, simple. Inflorescence a terminal corymb or panicle. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic. Sepals 4-5. Petals 4-7, free. Stamens numerous. Ovary superior, 1-locular. Style 1; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit densely bristly. Seeds with a fleshy testa, dotted with red glands FOI: Buttercup Tree is native to India, Burma and Thailand. It is a small tree growing upto 7.5 m. The bark is smooth and pale grey. It is sparsely clothed with leaves and sheds them at the height of the flowering season. The leaves appear at the tips of the branches and are palmately lobed. The flowers of the Buttercup tree are the most conspicuous part of the tree. They are large, growing upto about 10 cm, buttercup shaped and bright yellow. The stamens are orange. The flowering season is between February and April, particularly after the leaves are shed. The fruits are brown and oval shaped. They come in the form of a capsule made up of five segments. The capsule splits open to release the seeds which are embedded in the silky cotton contained within. This silky cotton is said to induce sleep when stuffed into pillows. The botanical name has the following meaning - Cochlospermum because the seed resembles a snail. Religiosum because the flowers are used as temple offerings. USES: Leaves are eaten by the sambar dear. Bark is used for the preparation of medicines. The immature fruit is cut at the top and inner material is removed. A flour of ragi and gram with jaggery is put inside the shell. The opening is sealed with the cut piece. This is put into the fire and cooked. The cooked mixture is given to cure tumours of the stomach. Being a softwood tree, it falls easily in the wind.

21.03.13 125. N Arun Kumar

Ochna obtusata DC. Ochnaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek of the Wild pear tree, alluding to the resemblance of this plant to that of wild pear. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON OCHNACEAE: Trees and shrubs, rarely herbs. Leaves alternate, simple, rarely pinnately compound, petiolate; stipules entire or sometimes lacerate, persistent or caducous; leaf blade margin dentate, serrate or rarely entire; veins pinnate. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, cymose or racemose, rarely 1-flowered. Flowers generally bisexual, actinomorphic or more rarely zygomorphic, bracteate; pedicels articulated. Sepals (2–4)5(10–15), free or more rarely united, imbricate or valvate. Petals (3–)5(–8), mostly free, clawed to sessile, contorted or imbricate. Stamens 5–10 or numerous; filaments generally free and persistent, or anthers sessile; anthers basifixed, longitudinally dehiscent or poricidal; staminodes present or not, sometimes persistent, awl-shaped, spatulate, or petaloid, sometimes connected into a tube. Gynoecium (2 or)3–5(–15)-carpellate, gynophore present or rarely absent; ovary superior, entire or deeply lobed, generally long styled; placentation basal, axile or parietal, rarely laminar; ovules 1 or 2 or numerous per locule; stigma entire or sometimes shortly divided at apex. Fruit fleshy or non-fleshy, generally a septicidal capsule, rarely a nut with accrescent sepals or a drupe, or separating into up to 15 blackish drupelets on a colored accrescent receptacle. Seeds endospermic or non-endospermic, winged or not; germination phanerocotylar or cryptocotylar; embryo usually straight, more rarely curved. COMMON NAME: Ramdhan Champa, Golden champak, Mickey Mouse Plant • Hindi: रामधन िम्पा Ramdhan Champa • Kannada: Ramatana champaka • Telugu: Sunari, Tammi, Erra Juvvi, Kukkamovi • Tamil: Kalkuruvi, Chilanti FOI: This native of East India is a woody shrub or a small tree with glossy leaves. It has attractive yellow flowers, followed by seeds surrounded by bright red sepals. The bright red seed cup is as attractive as the flowers. The seeds are initially green, but turn jet black later. With some imagination, the red seed cup looks like the face of the Disney cartoon character Micky Mouse! Infact, some cousins of this plant are called Mickey Mouse plant. Propagation is by seeds, which grow quickly, or by cuttings from hard wood, which are slower. USES: Common Garden Plant


Hypericum oblongifolium Hook. Hypericaceae ETYMOLOGY: The name Hypericum was first used by Linnaeus. It comes from hyper (over) and eikon (image), on account of the image that appears on the Petals. COMMON NAME: Pendant St Johns Wort FOI: Pendant St Johns Wort is a much branched perennial shrub 1-2 m, with arching, pedant branches, with oblong to elliptic blunt leaves and few large yellow flowers 3.5-7 cm across, at the end of branches. Petals are mostly narrow obovate, 15-30 mm long, about 1.3 times longer than the stamens. Sepals are unequal, ovate-elliptic, with entire margins, stamens about 30 in each fascicle, styles up to 2 cm. Leaves are stalkless, 3-8 cm long, with dense network of veins on the underside. Pendant St Johns Wort is found in the Himalayas, from Pakistan to C. Nepal, at altitudes of 800-2100 m. Flowering: March-August. RECENT STUDIES: M ALI et al in 2011 has studied the anti cancer activity of the chemicals from this plant. M Arfan et al in 2010 has identified the Urease inhibitors from this plant.

19.03.13 123. N Arun Kumar

Firmiana colorata (Roxb.) R.Br. Sterculuaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named after Karl Joseph von Firmian (1716-1782), A patron of the Padua Botanic Garden. COMMON NAMES: Bonfire tree, buttressed parasol tree, colored sterculia, Indian almond, scarlet sterculia • Assamese: jari-udal • Bengali: মূলা mula • Hindi: bodula, samari, walena • Kannada: ಬಿಳಿಸುಲಿಗೆ bilisulige • Konkani, in Goa: खोलथे kholthe • Malayalam: മല്ബരത്തി malabaraththi • Marathi: कौ ी kaushi • Miri: kath-udal • Tamil: மலப்பருத்தி malapparutti. FOI: The tree flowers from March-April. It produces flowers in short dense panicles which occur at the ends of the branches. The flowers are orange-red in colour and hang downwards. The flowering stalks together with flowers are covered with fine downy hairs giving the whole inflorescence a soft, velvety look. During flowering phase, Colored Sterculia is quite prominent and presents a brilliant sight because of its orange-red flowers against a leafless state. The flowers are large, 30 mm long. The flower tube is 13 ± 0.8 mm long, tubular at the base and lobed at the tip. Its rim is surrounded by white soft hair. The corolla looks like it is united inside with the tubular sepals at the base. From the centre of the calyx tube, a staminal column protrudes bearing at its summit 30 anthers. Scarlet Sterculia is common in the forests of the Western Ghats and the Deccan. USES: Hindus and Ceylonese regard it as a sacred plant. Branches yield fibre of inferior quality and branches with young leaves are used in India as fodder.


Geranium wallichianum D.Don ex Sweet Geraniaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Greek word 'Geranos' a type of Crane, alluding to the crane like elongated beak terminating the carpels. FOI: Wallich Geranium is a perennial herb with paired rose-pink to red-purple flowers with pale centers. Flowers are large, 2.5-4 cm across. Sepals are bristly haired on veins. Plants usually have large ovate stipules which is an identifying feature. Leaves are mostly 4-8 cm across, 3-5 deeply lobed, the lobes are broad-rhombic, further lobed and toothed, but not deeply. The plant has a much branched stem, growing up to 1-4 ft tall. Flowering: June-September. USES: Ornamental RECENT STUDIES: M Ismail et al in 2012 has studied the Antibacterial, Antifungal, Cytotoxic, Phytotoxic, Insecticidal, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of G. wallichianum. M Ismail et al in 2009 has studied the Chemical constituents and antioxidant activity of G. wallichianum.


Hippeastrum puniceum (Lam.) Voss Amaryllidaceae ETYMOLOGY: 'Hippeus' horseman (the leaves appearing to ride on one another) and 'astron' star (from the flower-shape). DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON AMARYLLIDACEAE: The Amaryllidaceae are perennial herbs from a bulb with contractile roots, comprising 50 genera and 870 species. The leaves are alternate and more or less basal, simple, usually linear or lorate, flat, entire, parallel-veined, sheathing at base; stipules absent. The flowers are bisexual, often showy, actinomorphic to zygomorphic, usually in umbelloid cymes. The perianth consists of 6 distinct or connate petaloid tepals, sometimes with an adnate corona. The androecium consists of 6 stamens attached to the receptacle or adnate to the perianth tube; filaments free or connate, sometimes appendaged and forming a staminal corona. The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 3 carpels, a single style, one capitate or 3-lobed stigma, and an inferior ovary with 3 locules, each containing several to numerous axile ovules. The fruit is a loculicidal capsule or sometimes a berry. The seed coat usually has a black or blue crust. FOI: A beautiful species of Amaryllis lily that is a sure bloomer for 10 months out of the year. It's soft orange blooms always come two on a stem - that is it's signature ID. They generally last about a week. Leaves 4-6, 30-60 cm long, 2.5-3 cm wide, lorate, tapering distally to the acute apex, more or less hysteranthous, bright green. Scape 40-60 cm tall; bracts lanceolate, green. The petals, or more accurately, tepals are orange-red, white at the base. The lower two tepals are much narrower compared to the lateral ones. USES: Ornamental

16.03.13 120. Alka Khare

Bauhinia racemosa Lam. Caesalpiniaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named after the legendary Bauhin twins Jean Bauhin (1541–1612) and Gaspard Bauhin (1560–1624), Swiss botanists; Linnaeus has given this name alluding to the twin leaflets of this genus sticking together. COMMON NAMES: Bidi Leaf Tree • Hindi: कठमूली katmauli, र्झिंझरे ी jhinjheri • Marathi: अपटा apta, िोना sona • Tamil: ஆத்தி atti, தாதைி tataki • Malayalam: അരംപാല്ി arampaali, കുടബുളി kutabuli, മല്യത്തി malayaththi • Telugu: తెలే ఆరెచెట్ు ట tella arecettu • Kannada: ಅಪಾಾ aapta, ಅರಳುಕದ್ುಮನದರ aralukadumandara • Bengali: banraji, banraj • Konkani: आप्टो apto • Urdu: Gul-e-

anehnal • Sanskrit: यमलपत्रक yamalapatrakah, यग्ु मपत्र yugmapatra FOI: Bidi Leaf Tree is a small crooked tree with drooping branches, growing up to 3-5 m tall. Leaves are typical Bauhinia like, shaped like cow's hooves. They are broader than long, 2-5 X 3-6 cm. The leaves are used for making bidis. Small flowers are borne in loose racemes, 5-10 cm long. Flowers are about 1 cm, greenish white. Petal are 5, narrow lancelike, stamens 10. Pods 13 to 25 cms by 1.8-2.5 cms in size, generally curved, swollen, rigid. Seeds 12 to 20, glabrous, dark reddish brown or black, compressed, 8mm long. Flowering: February-May. USES: The leaves are used in the production of Beedi a thin Indian cigarette. In Maharashtrian families it is customary to exchange leaves of the Aapta tree on the Hindu festive day of Dussehra. An act known as exchanging Gold - pointing to the special significance of the plant on that particular day. This is also why the tree is often referred to as Sonpatta (literal translation Leaves of Gold). RECENT STUDIES: KV Sashidhara et al 2012 has isolated Galactolipids from this plant as a new class of antifilarial agents against human lymphatic filarial parasite. VI Borikar in 2009 has studied the Antiulcer Activity of B. racemosa in rats. VI Borikar et al in 2009 has studied its analgesic activities.

15.03.13 119. Prashant Patni

Geranium mascatense Boiss. SYN: Geranium ocellatum Jacquem. Geraniaceae ETYMOLOGY: from the Greek word 'Geranos' a type of Crane, alluding to the crane like elongated beak terminating the carpels. COMMON NAMES: Black Eyed Geranium • Nepali: रगतगेडी Ragatageri DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON GERANIACEAE: Leaves are usually lobed or otherwise divided, sometimes peltate, opposite or alternate and usually have stipules.The flowers are generally regular, or symmetrical. They are hermaphrodite, actinomorphic (radially symmetrical, like in Geranium) or slightly zygomorphic (with a bilateral symmetry, like in Pelargonium). The calyx and the corolla are both pentamerous (with five lobes), petals are free while sepals are connate or united at the base. The androecium consists in two whorls of five stamens each, some of which can be unfertile; the pistil consists of five (less commonly three) merged carpels. The linear stigmas are free, and the ovary is superior. Flowers are usually grouped in cymes, umbels or, more rarely, spikes. FOI: Black Eyed Geranium is a diffuse slender annual herb, which is velvety or hairy-glandular. It grows at lower altitudes in the Himalayas. Leaves are nearly circular or kidney-shaped in outline, 0.8-5 cm broad, divided into up to 7 lobes. Lobes are further divided. Upper leaves are smaller than the lower ones. Pink cup-shaped flowers, 1.2-1.5 cm broad, have a purplish black eye in the center. The species name ocellatum means, like a small eye. Sepals are glandular-hairy. Petals are inverted-egg shaped, twice as long as the sepals, pink with a dark base. The stigma is prominently divided into five parts. Flowering: March-April. RECENT STUDIES: L Joseph and M George in 2011 has conducted the Pharmacognostical profiling of its leaves. M Sajwan et al in 2009 has studied the Effect of auxins (IAA and 2, 4-D) on growth behaviour of G. ocellatum Cambess.

118. Gurcharan Singh

Impatiens scabrida DC. Balsaminaceae ETYMOLOGY: Because of the elastic fruit wall burst open on touch, the fruits are 'Impatient' COMMON NAMES: Rugged Yellow Balsam, Scabby Balsam • Nepali: अरे ली Areli, नतउरी झार Tiuri jhar DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON BALSAMINACEAE: Herbs with simple, alternate, opposite or whorled leaves. Stem often succulent and swollen at the nodes. Flowers irregular, bisexual, often showy. Sepals 3(-5), the lowermost large and spurred. Petals 3-5, the anterior (posterior in mature flowers) larger, the lateral ones fused in pairs, lowermost often 2-lobed. Stamens 5; anthers adnate, forming a hood around the ovary. Ovary 5-locular, syncarpous. Capsule fleshy, with an explosive dehiscence for seed ejection. FOI: Rugged Yellow Balsam is a rather robust often much branched plant with large lemon yellow flowers spotted with brown within. Flowers are borne several in each axil, 3-4 cm long, with a broad funnel-shaped lower sepal suddenly contracted to a slender spur 1.5-3 cm long. Upper petal is rounded and spurred. Lateral sepals pubescent, ovate-suborbiculate, 5-7 x 4-7 mm, sometimes mottled brownblack. The short-stalked leaves are 5-15 cm, elliptic to lancelike, long pointed, with acute teeth. Stem is finely hairy, 2-4 ft tall. Rugged Yellow Balsam is found in shrubberies, forests and damp places, at altitudes of 1200-3600 m, from Kashmir to Bhutan. Flowering: MaySeptember.


Phlox paniculata L. Polemoniaceae ETYMOLOGY: Phlox means flame, resembling to the bright colored flowers. COMMON NAMES: Garden Phlox, Tall phlox, Summer phlox, Perennial phlox. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON POLEMONIACEAE: The flowers are perfect, five-merous and regular. Petals are fused to form a flat and round, or bell-shaped or funnel-shaped corolla. The 5 stamens are fused to the corolla tube and alternate with the 5 corolla lobes. The fruit is derived from a superior 3-celled ovary and at maturity becomes a 3-celled capsule. The leaves are alternate or opposite, simple or compound. FOI: Garden Phlox has 3-4-foot stems and fragrant white, pink or red flowers. All this makes this perennial (it comes back year after year) an old-fashioned favorite. It is a delight to all gardeners because it has a long bloom season. Garden phlox has fragrant flowers in clusters, that come in summer, and then every so often. Garden phlox are available in a wide range of pink, rose, red, lavender, purple, and white, along with bi-colors that have an "eye" in the center of each flower or a contrasting margin. Cultivars range from softest pastels to electric, "knock-your-socks-off" brilliant blooms. The flowers have 5 overlapping petals. The leaves are narrow, lance-like, oppositely arranged on the stem. USES: Grown as a Garden Plant

12. 03.13 116. Gurcharan Singh

Impatiens glandulifera Royle Balsaminaceae ETYMOLOGY: Because of the elastic fruit wall burst open on touch, the fruits are 'Impatient' DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON BALSAMINACEAE: Herbs with simple, alternate, opposite or whorled leaves. Stem often succulent and swollen at the nodes. Flowers irregular, bisexual, often showy. Sepals 3(-5), the lowermost large and spurred. Petals 3-5, the anterior (posterior in mature flowers) larger, the lateral ones fused in pairs, lowermost often 2-lobed. Stamens 5; anthers adnate, forming a hood around the ovary. Ovary 5-locular, syncarpous. Capsule fleshy, with an explosive dehiscence for seed ejection. COMMON NAMES: Himalayan Balsam, Ornamental jewelweed, Policeman's Helmet FOI: Himalayan Balsam is an herbaceous annual plant 3-5 ft tall. The stems are erect, hollow, smooth, and hairless. Stems are reddish, multi-branched, with large swollen nodes. The large simple oblong, ovate to elliptic leaves are oppositely arranged (occasionally a whorl of 3 leaves is formed) They are about six inches long and three inches wide, sharply toothed. The flowers are arranged in sparse clusters from the leaf axils. The flowers are irregular, with five petals. Flower color ranges from white to pink to red to purple. The flowers, spotted yellow within, are 3-4 cm long. Lower petals form a broad lip, for the bees to land and crawl inside for the necter. The lower sepal is broadly bellshaped and is abruptly contracted into a slender incurved spur. The fruit is a club-shaped capsule, which explosively dehisces at touch when ripe. Himalayan Balsam may be confused with Gigantic Himalayan Balsam which too has large, pink flowers. However, a distinguishing feature is that the capsule of Gigantic Himalayan Balsam is linear, as opposed to club-shaped in Himalayan Balsam. Seeds are large (3-5 mm) and black at maturity. USES: Often grown for ornamental purposes and may turn in to invasive RECENT STUDIES: R Ruckli et al 2013 proved that Invasion of I. glandulifera affects terrestrial gastropods by altering microclimate. I Bartomeus et al 2010 studied the Combined effects of Impatiens glandulifera invasion and landscape structure on native plant pollination.

11.03.13 115.Vinaya Raj V R

Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub. Mimosaceae ETYMOLOGY: Fromm greek word 'Xylia' means wood alluding to the Iron hard wood of the tree. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON MIMOSACEAE: Trees, shrubs or very rarely herbs. Leaves bipinnate, rarely unipinnate; stipules present, sometimes spinescent. Inflorescence generally a spike or umbel, rarely racemose or globose umbels; bracts small. Sepals usually 5, imbricate or valvate, generally fused together, toothed or lobed. Petals usually 5, valvate, free or fused, corolla lobed, hypo- or slightly perigynous. Stamens few to many, free or monadelphous or adnate to base of corolla tube; anthers versatile, often crowned by a deciduous gland. Pistil monocarpellary; ovary unilocular; ovules mostly numerous, style filiform; stigma terminal. Fruit dehiscent or indehiscent, sometimes schizocarpic; seeds mostly ovate to orbicular; aril rarely present. COMMON NAMES: Burma Ironwood, Pyinkado • Hindi: Jambu • Marathi: येरुल Yerul, Jamba, jambha, suriya • Tamil: Irul • Malayalam: Irul, ഇരുള്‍ Irumullu ഇരുമുള്ളു്• Telugu: kondatangedu, konda tangedu • Kannada: tirwa, jambe, arasu thakku, bettadaavarike • Oriya: Tangni • Mizo: Thing-uk • Sanskrit: Simsapa FOI: Burma Ironwood is a large deciduous tree to over 18 m high by 60 cm trunk diameter, native of eastern India, Burma and Thailand. Leaves are double-compound, carried on stalks 3-6 cm long. Leaflets are 2-4 pairs - lowest leaflets are 3-4 cm long, with a pointed tip. End leaflet is 7-15 cm long. Stalkless tiny white flowers arise in round heads 2 cm in diameter, carried in slender 7 cm long stalks. Pod is 10-16 cm long, 6 cm wide, woody, rusty velvety, shaped like a boomerang, splitting into two twisted segments. USES: It produces good timber. Its wood pulp is used for making wrapping paper. The seeds of this tree are edible. This tree is considered a medicinal plant in India. In Thailand its leaves are used to treat wounds in elephants. RECENT STUDIES: S Ramli et al in 2009 has studied the The Antioxidant Activity and Characterization of the Proanthocyanidin from the Bark of this Tree.

10.03.13 114. Sagar Sarang

Curcuma pseudomontana J.Graham Zingiberaceae ETYMOLOGY: Derived form the arabic word 'Kurkum' for yellow colour, another species of the same genus Curcuma longa is the Turmeric. िं ळवान shindalavana or श द िं ळवानी shindalavani COMMON NAMES: Hill Turmeric • Hindi: Kachura • Marathi: रानहळद raan halada, श द • Tamil: Kattu manjal • Malayalam: Kattu manjal കാട്ടുമഞ്ഞള്‍. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON ZINGIBERACEAE: Members of the family are small to large herbaceous plants with distichous leaves with basal sheaths that overlap to form a pseudostem. The plants are either self-supporting or epiphytic. Flowers are hermaphroditic, usually strongly zygomorphic, in determinate cymose inflorescences, and subtended by conspicuous, spirally arranged bracts. The perianth is composed of two whorls, a fused tubular calyx, and a tubular corolla with one lobe larger than the other two. Flowers typically have two of their stamenoids (sterile stamens) fused to form a petaloid lip, and have only one fertile stamen. The ovary is inferior and topped by two nectaries, the stigma is funnel-shaped. FOI: Hill Turmeric is an erect herb, growing to 75 cm tall, found on moist, shaded areas of wet forests and along sluggish grassy slopes of higher altitude. It has stout rootstock bearing small almond like sub-globose tubers at the ends of the_fibrous roots. The tubers are fleshy and white inside, aromatic. Leaves 3-5, oblong-lancelike, 20-30 x 6-9 cm, base acute, tip sharp, margin entire, hairless; shiny; leaf stalk and the leaf sheath up to 20 cm long. Flowering spikes seen in the center of the previously formed tuft of leaves, 10-25 cm long, bearing numerous compactly arranged flowers; flowering bracts conspicuous, inverted eggshaped to lancelike, 3-5 x l.5-2,cm, apex rounded to acute, hairless; gr,een with a pinktip. Non-flowering bracts (coma) oblong-lancelike, conspicuous, purple below and pinkish purple above. Flowers 2-4 in each fertile bract, bright yellow, 3 cm long and 4 cm broad. Capsules spherical, splitting by 3-valves, smooth. Seeds ovoid or oblong, usually covered with arils. Flowering: June-Septermber. Medicinal uses: The Savara tribes in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh use tuber extracts to cure jaundice. Jatapu and Kaya tribes apply warm tuber paste to treat body swellings. Women of Jatapu and Savara tribes eat boiled tubers to increase lactation. Khand tribes apply tuber paste on the head for cooling effect. RECENT STUDIES: M Maridass in 2009 has studied the antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities of the rhizome essential oil of C. pseudomontana.

09.03.13 113. Kirti Mandalaywala

Cassia grandis L.f. Leguminosae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek name 'Kasia' of some related genera. COMMON NAMES: Coral Shower Tree, Pink shower tree, Horse cassia, stinking-toe. FOI: Coral Shower Tree is native to tropical regions of America. Apparently originating in the Amazon, the species’ natural distribution cannot be accurately described. It is a deciduous or semideciduous tree that grows up to 18 m in height and 50 cm d.b.h. The trunk is straight and the spreading crown is high, irregular, and made up of dangling branches. The leaves are paripinnate and made up of 10 to 20 pairs of oblong leaflets that are 3 to 6 cm long and rounded or obtuse at the apex and base. Cassia grandis is used as an ornamental to beautify streets, avenues, parks, and gardens. The sweet tasting and bad smelling pulp of the fruit is edible and is used as a laxative. The wood is hard and heavy; it is used in rural areas for home construction, sheds, and structures for roofs and in cabinet- making. The pink to purple flowers turn salmon-color with time and are arranged in racemes. The species blooms in spring, and fruits (legumes) ripen in summer. USES: Often planted as an ornamental tree. RECENT STUDIES: SR Lodha et al in 2010 has studied the effectiveness of this plant in curing liver injury on experimental rats. They also analysed its anti-diabetic potential. MK Meena et in 2009 has established the anti oxidant potential of this plant. MA Awal et al in 2009 has shown its antibacterial activity.


Oxalis purpurea L. Oxalidaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek word 'Oxys' Meaning acid alluding to the sourness of the leaves of this Genus. FOI: This species of oxalis or wood sorrel is native to the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) It is a bulbous, stemless perennial that grows only 4-5" tall. The familiar clover-like leaves have three rounded often center-creased green leaflets that are purplish below. Dark rose, rose pink, violet or white 5-petaled solitary flowers (1-2" diameter) with yellow throats appear throughout the summer. Oxalis purpurea is often considered invasive, since it multiplies by bulb production, seeds, and runners. Prefers partial shade or partial sun; soil should be dry to moist. USES: It is cultivated as an ornamental plant.

07.03.13 111. Dinesh Thakur

Paraquilegia microphylla (Royle) J.R. Drumm. & Hutch Ranunculaceae ETYMOLOGY: In resemblance to the Genus Aquilegia. COMMON NAME: Himalayan Spurless Columbine DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON RANUNCULACEAE: Members of the Ranunculaceae usually have five colored sepals instead of petals (except buttercups), and divided leaves and nonwoody tissue (except clematis). Leaves are usually divided or lobed, but are heart-shaped or narrow and undivided in some species of Ranunculus, and usually arise from the base of the plant, or alternately up the stem, but in Clematis they are opposite. Perennial species form small rhizomes or tubers which develop new roots each year. Flowers may be solitary, but are frequently found aggregated in cymes, panicles, or spikes. Many species have no true petals, and the 'flower' is formed by a brightly colored group of sepals called a calyx. There are usually five sepals per flower, though they come in a wide variety of shapes. Ranunculus (buttercups) is the only genus in this family with a true calyx and petals. There are many stamens surrounding many fused carpels. FOI: Himalayan Spurless Columbine is a very distinctive small plant growing in rock crevices, often forming large clumps. It sports delicate, somewhat pendulous white, blue or lilac flowers and rather glaucous ferny leaves. Flowers are borne singly, cup-shaped, 2-3.5 cm acrossm with ovate petals. Flowers are borne in slender leafless stems 4-6 cm long. Bracts are 2, linear-lanceshaped. Flowers vary a lot in size and color. West Himalayan forms have small white flowers while the East Himalayan forms have large lilac flowers. Leaves grow all at the base, long-stalked, three-forked, with leaflets 1-2 cm across which are further divided into deeply lobed segments. Rootstock is often clustered and covered with bases of old leaf-stalks. Seed-pods are 5-10 mm long, with persistent styles. Himalayan Spurless Columbine is found in the Himalayas, from Pakistan to SW China, C & N Asia, at altitudes of 3400-4900 m. Flowering: June-July. RECENT STUDIES: Studies by K Xu et al in 2010 and 2011 has Isolated Three new flavone C-glycosides and Two new triterpene saponins from the aerial parts of this plant.

06.03.13 110. Blaise Pereira

Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh Loranthaceae ETYMOLOGY: From greek words 'Dendro' means tree and 'phthoe' means curruption, alluding to the parasitic habit of the plant. COMMON NAMES: Honey Suckle Mistletoe • Hindi: बिंदा Banda, बिंदा पाठा Banda Patha • Marathi: विंदा Vanda, बिंदगुल Bandgul • Tamil: புல்லுரீ Pulluri, புல்லுருவ ீ Pulluruvi, உசீ Uchi • Malayalam: Ithikkanni ഇത്തിക്കണ്ണി• Telugu: జిదద ూ Jiddu, యెలింగా Yelinga • Kannada: ಮದ್ುಕ Maduk, Badanike • Konkani: Bemdram • Gujarati: વંદો Vando • Sanskrit: Vrksadani DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON LORANTHACEAE: Shrubs, usually aerial hemiparasites on other seed plants, Leaves opposite or alternate, Flowers usually bisexual, rarely unisexual (plants dioecious), 4-6-merous, actinomorphic or zygomorphic, Calyx adnate to the ovary, limb annular to cupular, entire or shortly toothed, persistent. Petals usually 4-6, free or connate, valvate. Stamens as many as petals, opposite and adnate to them; Ovary inferior, 1- or 3- or 4-loculed, without true ovules. FOI: Honey Suckle Mistletoe is a large branch parasite. It is a shrub which is much branched, 1-3 m long. Branches are swollen from the base, and the bark is dark gray. Oppositely arranged leaves are 7-15 cm long, variable in shape. Leaf stalks are 1 cm long, and the midriff is red. Flowers occur in stout racemes in leaf axils. The flowers buds look like long white tubes. Flower tube is 3-5 cm long, pinkish white. The five narrow petals or lobes of the flower tube, greenish or yellowish, are upturned. Stamens, 4-6 protrude out of the flower. The green style is slender and is longer than the stamens. The plant has a very close cousin with red flowers, Red Honey Suckle Mistletoe. Flowering: January-February. USES: D. falcata possesses remarkable potentials as a medicinal plant evident from the wound healing, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, antinociceptive properties of its ethanolic extracts. RECENT STUDIES: AJ Kora et al in 2012 has established the anti bacterial activity of the Leaf Extract of D. falcata. N Dashora et al 2011 proved the Antitumor activity of D. falcata against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in swiss albino mice.

05.03.13 109. N Arun Kumar

Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis Rubiaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named after Scottish physician and botanist, lived in South Carolina, Alexander Garden (1730-1791) Vice President of the Royal Society. COMMON NAMES: Gardenia, Cape jasmine • Hindi: Gandhraj गिंधराज • Manipuri: কচবাকরল Kaboklei • Urdu: गल ु िािंद Gulchand • Marathi: Gandroya • Bengali: গাংিৈাজ Gandharaj • Kannada: Suvasane malle • Malayalam: Gandharajan FOI: Gardenias are beautiful, shrubby evergreen houseplants well loved for their creamy, fragrant blooms. The shrub that can grow 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m) high with almost equal spread. The leaves are glossy and leathery. Mature shrubs usually look round, and have a medium texture. This is not a "bloom all at once and it’s over" shrub! It blooms in mid-spring to early summer over a fairly long season. The flowers are white, turning to creamy yellow as they age, and have a waxy feel. They have a powerful, sweet fragrance, and can perfume an entire room. Gardenia is native to Japan, China and India. USES: The fruit is used as a yellow dye, which is used for clothes and food. Fruit is used within Traditional Chinese Medicine to "drain fire" and thereby treat certain fever conditions. RECENT STUDIES: YH Chen et al in 2012 has studied the hepatoprotective activity of this plant. H Zhang et al in 2012 has established the Antithrombotic activities of aqueous extract of this plant.

04.03.13 108. Kirti Mandalaywala

Guaiacum officinale L. Zygophyllaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Spanish Word 'guayacán' means the wood of life alluding to the strong medicinal property of this plant. COMMON NAMES: Tree of Life, Lignum Vitae, Guaiac GIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON ZYGOPHYLLACEAE: Annual or perennial herbs or undershrubs, rarely trees, Leaves opposite, rarely alternate, 2-foliolate or pinnate compound or multifid, rarely 3-7-foliolate or simple, Flowers solitary, axillary or subaxillary, or in cymes, rarely in spicate racemes, ebracteate, bisexual, rarely unisexual, actinomorphic or zygomorphic, hypogynous; disc convex or depressed, rarely annular or absent, often eglandular. Sepals 5, rarely 4, free or rarely basally connate, imbricate. Petals 5, rarely (3-) 4 or absent, free, rarely basally united, often clawed, inserted on disc, imbricate or contorted, rarely valvate. Stamens 5-15, in 1-3 whorls of 5 each, rarely (3-) 4, inserted on or at the base of disc, outer whorl of antipetalous stamens often connate with the claw, usually unequal in length, free, subulate or filiform filaments with or without scales inside at the base; anthers introrse, dithecous, longitudinally dehiscent. Carpels (2-3-) 4-5, syncarpous; ovary superior, usually sulcate or winged, sessile or rarely stipitate, usually 4-5-locular, rarely less or more loculed, locules rarely transversely locellate, placentation axile, ovules 2 or more, rarely 1 on each placenta, anatropous, pendulous or ascending; style simple, terminal, angular or furrowed, rarely styles 4-5 and free, stigma simple, capitate or obscurely lobed, rarely sessile or discoid. Fruit usually a loculicidal or septicidal capsule, rarely stony drupe, baccate or schizocarpic. Seeds 1-many per locule, albuminous or exalbuminous, embryo straight or very slightly curved. FOI: Tree of Life is a tree yeilding the true lignum vitae, a wood once used to treat syphilis. Lignum Vitae is the heaviest and densest wood in the world and will rapidly sink to the bottom when placed in water. It resists rot caused by insects and moisture so effectively that remains of Lignum vitae wood used as posts for dwellings by Taino Indians discovered in Tutu, St. Thomas were dated by carbon dating and found to be over 800 years old. The genus, Guaiacum, is taken from the tree's Caribbian name. The tree is native to the West Indies, southern Florida, the western coast of Central America, and the northern coast of South America. This small tree is very slow growing, reaching about 10 m in height with a trunk diameter of 60 cm. The tree is essentially evergreen throughout most of its native range. The leaves are compound, 2.5 to 3 cm in length, and 2 cm wide. Flowers are showy, to 2.5 cm across, bluish purple, fading to white .The flowers have five petals which yield a bright yellow-orange fruit with red flesh and black seeds. Guaiacum officinale is the national flower of Jamaica. Flowering: March-October. MEDICINAL USES: Some of the resins active ingredients are effective anti inflammatory agents. Due to this fact, it is used against sore throut and gout. USES: The genus is famous as the supplier of Lignum vitae, which is the heartwood of several species in the genus. It acquired an immense reputation in the sixteenth century as a cure for syphilis and certain other diseases. Guaiacum resin has been used to treat a variety of medicinal conditions from coughs to arthritis. Wood chips can also be used to brew a tea. A phenolic compound derived from the resin of Guaiacum trees is used in a common test for blood in human stool samples. The presence of heme in the blood causes the formation of a coloured product in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The effect of peroxidases in horseradish on guiacum was first noted in 1810 by Planche.


Elaeocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. Elaeocarpaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek Ealeo (έλαιο) means oil and 'Carpus' means Fruit alluding to the oily fruits of some species. COMMON NAMES: Tamil: Malampinnai, Pathrachi, Ruthraksham. Malayalam: Ammakkaram, Ammakorum, Badraksham, Kodavasi, Kotuvasi, Nacati, Naggara, Pahumban, Pialandi, Pilahi, Rudraksham, Kannada: Dandale mara, Kadambola, Kunge mara. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON ELAEOCARPACEAE: Trees or shrubs, evergreen or semi-evergreen. Leaves alternate or rarely opposite, stipulate or not, petiolate, simple, pinnately veined. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, racemose, corymbose, paniculate, or sometimes fascicled or solitary flowers. Flowers bisexual or polygamous, 4- or 5-merous, actinomorphic, with or without bracts. Sepals 4 or 5, basally connate or free, usually valvate. Petals 4 or 5, sometimes absent, valvate or imbricate, margin laciniate or rarely entire. Stamens 8 to numerous; filaments free and borne on disks; anthers 2-celled, dehiscent by apical or longitudinal slits, awned or tipped with hairs at apices. Disk circular or glandularly lobed. Ovary superior, 2- to several loculed; placentation axile; ovules 2 to several per locule; style connate or free. Fruit a drupe or capsule. Seeds with copious endosperm; embryo flat. FPK-KFRI: Trees, to 24 m high, bole buttressed; bark 10-12 mm thick, grey mottled with white, smooth; blaze greyish-brown; young stem, buds, petioles and peduncles densely brown villous; branches monopodial. Leaves simple, alternate, clustered at the tip of branchlets; stipules free, lateral, brown-villous; petiole 15-30 mm, stout, pubescent, swollen tipped; lamina 8-24 x 4-15 cm, obovate, base cuneate or round, apex acute, obtuse or retuse, margin distantly serrate or crenate or subentire, glabrous above, ferruginous pubescent beneath, lateral nerves 8-12 pairs, parallel, the margin prominent, intercostae scalariform, slender, prominent, domatia present. Flowers bisexual, white, in axillary racemes to 12 cm long; pedicel 2 cm long, deflexed; sepals 5, lanceolate, tomentose outside, valvate; petals 5, white, fimbriate, fulvous tomentose inserted round the base of glandular disc; stamens numerous, inserted between the glands on the disc; anthers thinly tomentose, terminating in long bristle; ovary superior, subglobose, densely tomentose, placed on raised torus, 2-celled, ovules 2 in each cell; style subulate, tomentose, entire. Fruit a drupe, 3-3.5 × 2.5 cm, oblong or ellipsoid, green, ferrugenous tomentose, stones single, compressed, coarsely tuberculate, 1-2-celled. USES: Decoction of the bark is used as a remedy for rheumatism, indigestion and biliousness. Rudraksha Beads or seeds are used as a treatment for rheumatism, typhoid fever and epilepsy


Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. CAESALPINIACEAE ETYMOLOGY: Named after Andrea Cesalpino (Latinized as Andreas Cæsalpinus) (1524 or 1525 – February 23, 1603) an Italian physician, philosopher and botanist and classified plants according to their fruits and seeds. COMMON NAMES: Peacock Flower, Pride of Barbados, Dwarf poinciana • Hindi: गल ु ेतरू ा guletura • Manipuri: ধিশ্ন ূ রা Krishnachura • Marathi: Sankasur • Telugu: రత్ేగంధీ Ratnagandhi • Kannada: Kenjige • Oriya: Krishnochuda • Tamil: Mayurkonrai • Malayalam: Rajamalli രാജമല്ലി• Bengali: ধিশ্ন ূ ড়া Krishnachura, রািা ূ ড়া Radhachura • Sanskrit: Sidhakya. FOI: This beautiful treelet, whose place of origin is unknown, is sometimes called Dwarf Poinciana due to the resemblence of its flowers and leaves to those of Gulmohar. They are botanically related but Peacock flower plant grows only to a height of about 3 meters, retains its leaves throughout the year, and blooms continuously. Flowers, which appear in clusters on long erect stems, are smaller than those of Gulmohar and have exceptionally long stamens and a prominent pistil which protrudes from the center. The most common color is red-orange, but one variety has pure yellow flowers. USES: C. pulcherrima is the most widely cultivated species in the genus Caesalpinia. It is a striking ornamental plant, widely grown in domestic and public gardens and has a beautiful inflorescence in yellow, red and orange. RECENT STUDIES: MR Kumbhare et al 2012 had established the In vitro Antioxidant Activity, Phytochemical Screening, Cytotoxicity and Total Phenolic Content in this plant. GI Ogu et al in 2012 has established the in vitro anti bacterial activity of its stem bark. JR DA ROCHA in 2012 has established the anti-fertility activity of ethanolic extract of its leaves.


Dolichandrone falcata (Wall. ex DC.) Seem. Bignoniaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek words 'Dolichos' meaning long and 'Androne' means male, alluding to the long stamens of some species. िं ी Medhshingi, भेड़िीिंग Bhersing • Tamil: Kadalatti, Kaliyacha, COMMON NAMES: Medhshingi • Hindi: Hawar • Marathi: मेढ़श ग Kattuvarucham • Malayalam: Attulottappala, Nirpponnalyam • Telugu: Chittiniruvoddi, Chittivoddi • Kannada: Godmurki, Muduvudure, Udure • Oriya: Mrigosingo • Sanskrit: Mesasrnga, Visanika DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON THE FAMILY: The leaves are petiolate. Leaf arrangement usually is opposite, 0r rarely alternate or verticillate (in whorls). Leaves are usually compound, bifoliate, trifoliate, pinnate, or palmate, or rarely simple. The flowers are hypogynous, zygomorphic, bisexual, and usually conspicuous. The calyx and corolla are distinct. The calyx is synsepalous, with five sepals. The corolla is sympetalous, with five petals, often bilabiate. Corolla lobes are imbricate in bud, or rarely valvate, and usually much shorter than the corolla tube. Stamens are inserted on the corolla tube, alternating with corolla lobes. The four stamens are didynamous, members of each pair often connivent, the adaxial stamen is usually staminodial or absent; rarely with five fertile stamens or with two fertile and three staminodial stamens. The stigma is bilobed, and usually sensitive. The ovary is superior, usually surrounded by a nectary disk, composed of two carpels, bilocular and with a septum, except unilocular in. Placentation is axile. Ovules are numerous. FOI: Medhshingi is a small deciduous tree with bluish-gray bark, peeling in irregular woody scales. Leaves are compound, 3-6 inches long. Leaflets are 5-7, obovate, or round elliptic, sometimes with a small blunt point. Leaflet blade is about 1.2 cm long and wide. Flowers are white, borne in mostly 1-3 flowered corymbs. Flower stalk is 1/2 inch long. Sepal tube is 1.2-2 cm, split on one side to the base. Flower petals are frilly. Capsules are nearly quadrangular, curved like a sickle. The capsules look like curved sheep horns, hence the common name Medhshingi. This tree grows some what slowly even in the best soils. It is very hardly and drought resistant and fit for propagating in the driest localities. Flowering: May-June. RECENT STUDIES: AN Mungle et al in 2012 has studied the Ant diabetic potential of its leaves. VB Badgujar and SJ Surana in 2010 has studied the Anxiolytic effects of the stem bark of this plant.


Caryota urens L. Arecaceae ETYMOLOGY: Greek used to call the date fruit as Caryota, may be alluding to the date shaped nut of this palm. COMMON NAMES: Fishtail Palm, Jaggery Palm, Toddy Palm, Wine Palm • Hindi: Mari • Tamil: சைாண்ைல் பகன Kontalpanai • Malayalam: Anappana ആനപ്ന, Choondapana ചൂണ്ടപ്ന DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON ARECACEAE: Habits of palms are quite typical, in that they are characterised by a tall, unbranched stem, or, rarely, by a dichotomous branching stem, and of the same diameter all along from base to top; at apex it bears a rosette consisting of coriaceous, either palmate or pinnate, leaves, up to some metres long. The stem may remain quite slender, in which case it turns to a creeping habit, or otherwise it may be very short in acaulescent species (Phoenix acaulis). Another feature peculiar to this family is that the stem reaches its ultimate growth in diameter before it starts its growth in height. Indeed, palms lack any secondary growth. Inflorescences are spadix-like, at first enveloped by a spathe or by leaf sheaths opening up at anthesis. Flowers are usually unisexual and derive by abortion from hermaphrodite flowers. In monoecious species male flowers are borne apically on the inflorescence, female flowers are borne basally. Proterandry ensures cross-fertilization. Flowers are mostly trimerous and pentacyclic. Their perigonium is made of two whorls consisting of three usually membranous tepals. In male flowers the androecium consists of three stamens in two whorls; however, some taxa depart from this pattern, as the number of stamens may range from three to nine to many. Female flowers bear a superior tri-unilocular ovary, consisting of three carpels, either free or connate, each bearing one ovule. FOI: Fishtail palm is a fast growing feather palm that makes a beautiful addition to the landscape. It has a gray trunk (grows to about 30') that is covered by regularly spaced leaf scar rings. Toddy palm has a leaf shape that resembles the lower fin of a fish. When these palms grow to reach 20', they start producing flowers at the top of the trunk with subsequent flowers produced lower and lower on the trunk. When the lowest flower blooms, the tree dies. Flowers are long plait like bunches hanging down. Toddy palm is an Asian species that grows from India to Burma and on the island country of Sri Lanka. USES: Used to extract toddy from this palm. C. urens is cultivated as an ornamental tree, and planted in gardens and parks in tropical and sub-tropical climates. It is also used as an interior and houseplant when smaller. RECENT STUDIES: R Patel Mariyan and K Saluja Ajay in 2012 has reported the Analgesic and Anti Inflammatory Activity of the Leaves of this plant. P Ranasinghe and GAS Premakumara in 2012 has studied the Antioxidant Activity of its sap.

26.02.13 103. Nilesh Kelkar

Erythrina stricta Roxb Papilionaceae ETYMOLOGY: The name comes from the Greek 'erythrose' which means 'red', referring to the color of the flower. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON PAPILIONACEAE: This family can be easily identified by characteristic papilionaceas corolla and pulvinate leaf base. COMMON NAMES: Corky Coral Tree, Indian Coral Tree • Hindi: धौल ढाक Dhaul dhak • Marathi: पािंगारा Pangara • Tamil: ைிஞ்சுைம் Kincukam, முருக்கு மைம் murukku maram • Malayalam: Nimbataru, Paribhadram, Murikk മുരിക്കു്• Telugu: బలభదిక ి Balabhadrika • Kannada: Halivana, Keechige, Mandara • Bengali: রক্তমন্দার Raktamandar • Konkani: Pangar • Sanskrit: मन्द्दार mandara, पाररभद्र paribhadra • Nepali: फलेदो Phaledo. FOI: Corky Coral Tree is a medium sized throny tree with distinctly orange, corky bark and an irregular crown. The tree is a captivating sight when in bloom, with clusters of bright, orange-scarlet up-facing flower clusters sitting at the end of branchlets like exotic waterlilies. Leaves are compound with three broad leaflets, the middle one the largest. Flowers have 5 petals of unequal length, and 10 stamens. Corky Coral Tree is native to the dry, mixed forests throughout India. RECENT STUDIES: MM Hussain et al in 2010 has studied the anti microbial activity of this plant. M Umamaheswari and K Asokkumar in 2010 has studied the cardioprotectiv property of this plant.

25.02.13 102. Poornima Kannan

Averrhoa bilimbi L. Oxalidaceae ETYMOLOGY: Averrhoa: named after Averrhoes (1126-98), an Arab philosopher. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON OXALIDACEAE: Flowers with five petals , Ten stamens in two rings of five , A superior seed capsule with five parts, No stipules They often have a fleshy aril to fling the seed from the pod Often have folded leaflets. COMMON NAMES: Bilimbi, Cucumber-Tree • Hindi: बबशलम्बी Bilimbi • Manipuri: Heinajom • Marathi: Bilambi • Tamil: Pulima • Malayalam: Vilumpi വിളുംബി Irumban Puli ഇരുമ്പന്‍ പുളി• Telugu: Gommareku • Kannada: Belambu • Konkani: बबिंबुल Bimbul FOI: The bilimbi tree is long-lived, reaches 5-10 m in height. Its trunk is short and quickly divides up into ramifications. Bilimbi leaves, 30-60 cm long, are alternate, imparipirmate and cluster at branch extremities. There are around 11 to 37 alternate or subopposite oblong leaflets. This Carambola relative produces very small pickle-like fruits which are borne directly on the trunk of the tree and also on the branches. The fruits are preceded by small red flowers on the trunk and branches. Its flowers, like its fruits, are found in hairy panicles that directly emerge from the trunk as well as from the oldest, most solid branches. The yellowish or purplish flowers are tiny, fragrant and have 5 petals. The bilimbi fruit's form ranges from ellipsoid to almost cylindrical. Its length is 4-10 cm. The bilimbi is 5sided, but in a less marked way than the carambola. If unripe, it is bright green and crispy. It turns yellowish as it ripens. The flesh is juicy, green and extremely acidic. The fruit's skin is glossy and very thin. The bilimbi is too acid for eating raw but the green uncooked fruits are prepared as a relish in Suriname. Originated seemingly from the Moluccas, in India, where it is usually found in gardens, the bilimbi has gone wild in the warmest regions of the country. USES: In Malaysia the leaves of bilimbi are used as a treatment for venereal disease. A leaf decoction is taken as a medicine to relieve rectal inflammation. It seems to be effective against coughs and thrush. In some villages in the Thiruvananthapuram district of India, the fruit of the bilimbi was used in folk medicine to control obesity. This led to further studies on its antihyperlipidemic properties. It said that this plant is capable of reducing blood cholesterol levels. RECENT STUDIES: J Haryanto in 2012 has proved that the fruit juce of A. bilimbi is capabe of lowering blood triglycerides or Cholesterols. SS Chowdhury et al in 2012 has demonstrated the Antioxidant activity of this Plant.

24.02.13 101. Devendra Bhardwaj

Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr. Burseraceae ETYMOLOGY: In memory of the late Scottish botanist Dr. John Boswell. COMMON NAMES: Indian Olibanum, Indian frankincense • Gujarati: સાલેડી saaledi, સલાઈ ગ ૂગળ salaai gugul • Hindi:

ल्लकी

shallaki, kundur, luban • Kannada: ಗುಗುುಳ ಮರ guggula mara • Malayalam: കുങ്ങില്യം kungilyam • Marathi: धुपाळी dhupali, धप ू िाळी dhupasali, कुरुिं द kurunda, िालफळी salaphali, िाळई salai, िाळी sali • Oriya: salai • Sanskrit: भीषण bhishan, गग्ु गल ु guggula, हस्ततन ना hastinashana, पालिंक palank, पाविती parvati, ऱ्हाहदनी hradini, कुरुन्द्द kurunda, िल्लकी sallaki,

ल्लकी shallaki, स्रुवा sruva

• Tamil: குமஞ்சம் kumancam, குங்ைிலியம் kunkiliyam, மைத்துசவள்கை marattu-vellai, பறங்ைிச்சாம்பிைாணி paranki-c-campi-rani, சவள்ைிக்ைீ கை vellai-k-kirai • Telugu: గుగిిలము guggilamu, పరంగిసాంబరిణిచెట్ు ట parangi-sambrani-chettu, సలే కి sallaki • Urdu: kundur, lobana. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON BURSERACEAE: Habit: trees, less often shrubs, rarely epiphytes; resin present, often aromatic and smelling like turpentine. Leaves alternate, imparipinnately compound; pulvinulus present. Flowers actinomorphic, 3-5(6)-parted, unisexual, plants dioecious, or polygamodioecious, small; calyx valvate, synsepalous, usually lobed, sometimes irregulary split at anthesis corolla induplicate-valvate, apopetalous to partly sympetalous, usually pale green to greenish-yellow, sometimes wine-red. Staminate flowers: androecium diplostemonous or rarely isostemonous, sometimes didynamous, often series difficult to distinguish, filaments distinct, less often connate basally, inserted at base of disc; disc intrastaminal, annular, nectariferous; reduced pistillode usually present, sometimes ontogenetically fused with disc to form conical or discoid "ovariodisc", sometimes reduced locules and ovules present, stigmas absent. Pistillate flowers: staminodes present, reduced, anthers devoid of pollen; gynoecium syncarpous, ovary superior, carpels and locules 2-5, style solitary, apical, sometimes with as many short branches as locules, stigma(s) 1 or as many as locules, capitate to discoid; placentation axile, ovules 2 per locule, collateral, pendulous, epitropous. FOI: 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. Uses: In Ayurvedic medicine Indian frankincense (B.serrata) has been used for hundreds of years for treating arthritis. Extracts of B. serrata have been clinically studied for osteoarthritis and joint function, particularly for osteoarthritis of the knee. Positive effects of Boswellia in some chronic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have been reported. A Boswellia extract marketed under the name Wokvel has undergone human efficacy, comparative, pharmacokinetic studies.Some see B. serrata as a promising alternative to NSAIDs, warranting further investigation in pharmacological studies and clinical trials. RECENT STUDIES: F Namjoyan et al 2013 has studied the The Antioxidant Capacity and Anti-diabetic Effect of B. serrata. S Bhushan et al 2012 have studied the Anticancer Potential of this plant.


Limonia acidissima L Rutaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Arabic name of Citron 'Lymoun' DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON RUTACEAE: Gland Dotted Vegetative Parts, Laminate Nectariferous Disk Below the ovary and Opdiplostemonous Condition (Having stamens double the number of Petals which is arranged in two whorls with outer whorl opposite to the Petal) COMMON NAMES: English: Wood Apple, Elephant Apple, Monkey Fruit or Curd Fruit; Bengali: Bael, Koth Bael (হবল, কৎ হবল;); Gujarati: Kothu; Hindi: Kaitha (कैथा), Kath Bel or Kabeet; Javanese: Kawis or Kawista; Khmer: Kvet (ខ្វិត); Kannada: Belada Hannu / Byalada Hannu (ಬೆೇಲ್ದ್ ಹಣ್ುು), balulada hannu (ಬಳೂಲ್ದ್ ಹಣ್ುು/ಬಳೂಲ್ಕಾಯಿ/ಬಳೂಲ್); Malaysia : Belingai; Malayalam: Vilam Kai (വിളാങ്കായ്); Marathi: KavaTH (कवठ).; Oriya: Kaitha or Kaintha; Sanskrit: Billa, Kapittha (कपपत्थ),[2] Dadhistha, Surabhicchada, Kapipriya, Dadhi, Puṣpapahala, Dantasātha, Phalasugandhika, Cirapākī, Karabhithū, Kanṭī, Gandhapatra, Grāhiphala, Kaṣāyāmlaphala.; Sinhalese: Divul. (දිවුල්); Tamil: Vilam Palam (விைாம் பழம்); Telugu: Vellaga Pandu (వెలగ పండు) FOI: Wood apple is an erect, slow-growing tree with a few upward-reaching branches bending outward near the summit where they are subdivided into slender branchlets drooping at the tips. The bark is ridged, fissured and scaly and there are sharp spines 3/4 to 2 in long on some of the zigzag twigs. The deciduous, alternate leaves, 3 to 5 in long, dark-green, leathery, often minutely toothed, blunt or notched at the apex, are dotted with oil glands and slightly lemon-scented when crushed. Yellowish green flowers, tinged with red, 1/2 in across, are borne in small, loose, terminal or lateral panicles. The tree is mostly known for its hard woody fruit, size of a tennis ball, round to oval in shape. The pulp is brown, mealy, odorous, resinous, astringent, acid or sweetish, with numerous small, white seeds scattered through it. USES: The rind of the fruit is so thick and hard it can be carved and used as a utensil such as a bowl or ashtray. The bark also produces an edible gum. The tree has hard wood which can be used for woodworking. Bael fruit pulp has a soap-like action that made it a household cleaner for hundreds of years. The sticky layer around the unripe seeds is household glue that also finds use in jewellerymaking. The glue, mixed with lime, waterproofs wells and cements walls. The glue also protects oil paintings when added as a coat on the canvas. Ground limonia bark is also used as a cosmetic called thanakha in Southeast Asia. The fruit rind yields oil that is popular as a fragrance for hair; it also produces a dye used to colour silks and calico. In India the bael leafs, which are found in the set of three leafs usually, are used for worshiping lord Shiva. During Shivaratri, bael patra is an essential pooja item along with bhaang leafs, milk, dhatura flowers. It is a hedge plant favored for its rapid growth; especially when cuttings from a faster growing individual are grafted to a hardily rooted plant, fruit, foliage and shade can quickly be obtained. In Tamil Nadu leaves and fruit traditionally have been used for elephant food, while the branches were used as brooms for rough work in connection with animal care. RECENT STUDIES: JR Eluru et al 2013 has studied its anti tumour activity on Ascitic Lymphoma in Mice. D Pradhan et al 2012 has proved the Anticancer Activity of L. acidissima Fruit Extracts on Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines.


Scutellaria discolor Colebr. Lamiaceae ETYMOLOGY: Scutellaria, from scutella: a small dish or platter alluding to the shape of the Persistent Calyx on fruit. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON LAMIACEAE: Aromatic Herbs or Shrubs, Bilabiate Corolla and Gynobasic Style. COMMON NAMES: Bicolor Skullcap • Manipuri: Yenakha • Nepali: ननलॊ भत्ु ते घााँि Nilo butte ghans, दाम्पाते Daampaate. FOI: Bicolor Skullcap is a perennial shrub, with 1 to few stems, 1-2 ft tall. Flowers are blue, tubular 2-lipped, in long slender loose leafless spikes, 8-25 cm long. Flowers are 1.3-1.8 cm long, with a slender, curved tube, opening into two lips. Upper lips is entire, hooded, and the lower one is broad, 3-lobed, often paler in color. Sepals cup is 2 mm long, enlarging in fruit and covering the nutlets. The common name of the plant comes from the sepal cups which look like medieval helmets. Elliptic leaves are mostly at the base, with blunt-toothed margins, 2-8 cm long, long stalked, often purple on the underside. Bicolor Skullcap is found on shady banks in the Himalayas, from Uttarakhand to NE India, at altitudes of 700-2400 m. Flowering: July-November. MEDICINAL USES: Juice of the plant is applied to wounds between the toes caused by prolonged walking barefooted in muddy water during the rainy season. Juice of the root, about 4 teaspoons twice a day, is given to treat indigestion and gastric troubles.

21.02.13 98. Vinaya Raj V R

Ficus exasperata Vahl. Moraceae ETYMOLOGY: From Latin word 'facere' means Making. COMMON NAMES: Brahma's Banyan, forest sandpaper fig, rough banyan, sand paper fig • Marathi: करवत karvat • Tamil: மைம்தினிஅத்தி maramthinniatti • Malayalam: ‍തരകം theerakam • Telugu: కరక బొ దదూ karaka boddu, కరసాన karasana, సరరి బొ డడ siri bodda • Kannada: ಅಡವಿ ಅತ್ತಾ adavi atti, ಗರಗತ್ತಾ garagatti • Konkani: खरविंट kharvant • Sanskrit: करपत्र karapatra. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON MORACEAE: The Moraceae are monoecious or dioecious trees shrubs, lianas, or rarely herbs comprising 40 genera and 1,000 species, nearly all with milky sap. The leaves are simple and alternate or rarely opposite. The stipules are small and lateral or sometimes they form a cap over the bud and leave a cylindrical scar. The flowers are unisexual and minute, and are usually densely aggregated. These aggregations frequently take the form of pendulous aments or catkins. Usually, the perianth consists of 4 or 5 undifferentiated tepals, but sometimes fewer or no perianth segments are present. A typical male flower has four stamens, one opposite each perianth segment. The female flowers have a bicarpellate pistil, generally with two styles, although one may be suppressed. The ovary is superior or inferior and contains a single pendulous ovule in a solitary locule. Fruit types include drupes and achenes that are often coalesced or otherwise aggregated into a multiple accessory fruit. FOI: Brahma's Banyan is a deciduous tree, up to 70 ft tall, native to parts of Africa, Arabian Peninsula and India. The tree has smooth grey bark. Alternately arranged, ovate-elliptic leaves have a very rough surface, making them look like sand paper. Young leaves are often lobed. Sap is sticky, not milky. Figs arise in leaf axils, 1-2 in number. They are spherical or obovoid, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, rough, yellow, orange or red. The figs may still be seen on the tree when it has shed the leaves. RECENT STUDIES: EE Bafor et al 2010 has established the Uterine stumulatory effect of the water extract from leaves. AO Adeyi et al 2013 has studied the anti diabetic property of this plant in experimetal Rats. BA Ayinde et al 2012 has studied the anti cancer activities of the methanol extract of the root bark of this plant.


Melastoma malabathricum L. Melastomataceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek 'Mela' means black and 'Stoma' means Mouth, The black berries of some species are eaten making the mouth stain Black. COMMON NAMES: Malabar Melastome, Indian-rhododendron • Hindi: Shapti • Manipuri: হবাবূ ু রৈ Bobuchunmei, হৈাঙরম Rongmei •

Marathi: ररिंधा Rindha, Palore • Malayalam: Palore പ‍ല്ാ‍, Athirani അതിരാണി• Telugu: Nekkarike • Kannada: Ankerki, Kinkerika • Oriya: Gongoi, Koroti • Konkani: Myetpyai • Assamese: ফু টু কী Phutuki, ফু টকলা Phutkala. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON MELASTOMATACEAE: Herbs, shrubs, or trees, erect, climbing, or rarely epiphytic. Leaves simple, commonly opposite and decussate usually 1-4(or 5) secondary veins on each side of midvein. Inflorescences cymose, umbellate, corymbose, in paniculate clusters, or a cincinnus, Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic but androecium often slightly zygomorphic, usually (3 or)4- or 5(or 6)-merous, perianth biseriate, perigynous; bracteoles opposite, usually caducous. Hypanthium funnel-shaped, campanulate, cyathiform, or urceolate. Calyx lobes (3-)5(or 6), valvate. Petals (3-)5(or 6), equal to number of sepals, distinct, imbricate. Stamens usually twice as many as petals and in 2 whorls,filaments distinct, often geniculate, inflexed in bud; Pistil and style 1; stigma minute, capitate or truncate. Ovary commonly inferior or semi-inferior, locules usually (3 or)4 or 5(or 6) with numerous anatropous ovules, placentation axillary, parietal or free central. FOI: Malabar Melastome is an evergreen shrub, up to 2 m tall. In Southeast Asia and elsewhere it is a widespread weed of industrial forest plantation crops (such as rubber and mahogany), orchards, and rice fields. Melastoma malabathricum is the most widespread and morphologically most variable species of the genus, resulting in the descrïption of many separate species. Leaves elliptic to lanceolate, 6-15 x 2-6.5 cm, occasionally narrowly lanceolate to oblong, 4-6 x 0.6-1.5 cm, base rounded to acute, tip pointed. Its flowers vary from light to dark pink and have 5 petals. The flowers are arranged in around 1-5 flowered clusters. Like all Melastomes it has dissimilar stamens, numbering twice the number of petals. The flower shows 5 purple, curved anthers, and 5 yellow anthers. Fruit a berry-like capsule with numerous seeds coated with red, sweet astringent pulp. USES: Ethnopharmacologically, the leaves, shoots, barks, seeds, and roots of M. malabathricum have been used to treat diarrhoea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, cuts and wounds, toothache, and stomachache. Scientific findings also revealed the wide pharmacological actions of various parts of M. malabthricum, such as antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antidiarrheal, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities. Various types of phytochemical constituents have also been isolated and identifed from different parts of M. malabathricum. Congratulations Vinaya Raj V R

19.02.13 96. Suresh Kutty

Chrozophora rottleri (Geiseler) A.Juss. ex Spreng. Euphorbiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek 'Chrozo' Means Stain and 'Phora' means bearing alluding to the purple dye obtained from the capsules. दे वी shadevi • Marathi: िय ि ती suryavarti • Tamil: Purapirakkai • ु व Telugu: ఎరర మిరియము erra miriyamu, గురుగుఛెట్ు ట guruguchettu, లింగమిరప linga mirapa • Kannada: ಲಿಮುಮೆಣ್ಸು lingamenasu • Konkani: COMMON NAMES: Suryavarti, Rottler's Chrozophora • Hindi:

िुवली survarli • Urdu: िोटकी हुङ्काथ chotaki hunkatath, िुयव ि ति suryawarta • Sanskrit: िुयव ि ति suryavarta. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON EUPHORBIACEAE: A large family having Unisexual flowers and the Male flowers having Tricarpellary syncarpous, Trilocular ovary with axile placentation. FOI: 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. USES: C. rottleri is traditionally used by the tribes and native medical practitioners for the treatment of various diseases. In Sudan, powdered stems or whole plants are applied to wounds to improve healing. In Ethiopia, an infusion of the seeds and leaves is taken as a laxative. The plant is also used medicinally in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India (e.g. against jaundice and purifying blood). In Senegal, the plant is not browsed by most stock, except occasionally by sheep and goats, as it causes vomiting and diarrhoea, where as in Kenya, camels graze it. The fruits yield a purplish blue dye, which is used in East Africa to dye mats. In Nepal, juice of the fruit is given in cases of cough and colds, purifying agent (leaf) and laxative (seed), having bioactive components. The leaves are very much beneficial in treating skin diseases and also used as a depurative agent. The seeds are used as cathartic like Ghodtapde and credited with purgative properties, reported that the aqueous extract of the leaves of this plant have significant anti-helmintic property against Pheritima posthuma (Indian Earth worm). Aqueous extract of this plant possessed phytotoxic activity on rice, wheat and mustard.


Harpullia arborea (Blanco) Radlk. Sapindaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Bengali Name of this Plant 'Harpuli' DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON SAPINDACEAE: Trees or shrubs (or woody vines with tendrils in Cardiospermum and allied genera), rarely herbaceous climbers. Indumentum usually of simple hairs, often glandular on young parts, buds, and inflorescences. Leaves alternate, usually estipulate; leaf blade pinnate or digitate, rarely simple; leaflets alternate to opposite, entire or dentate to serrate. Inflorescence a terminal or axillary thyrse; bracts and bracteoles small. Flowers unisexual, rarely polygamous or bisexual, actinomorphic or zygomorphic, usually small. Sepals 4 or 5(or 6), equal or unequal, free or connate at base, imbricate or valvate. Petals 4 or 5(or 6), sometimes absent, free, imbricate, usually clawed, often with scales or hair-tufted basal appendages. Disk conspicuous, fleshy, complete or interrupted, lobed or annular, rarely absent. Stamens 5-10(-74), usually 8, rarely numerous, variously inserted but usually within disk, often exserted in male flowers; filaments free, rarely connate; anthers dorsifixed, longitudinally dehiscent, introrse; staminodes sometimes present in carpellate flowers, but filaments shorter and anthers with a thick wall, indehiscent. Ovary superior, (1-)3(or 4)-loculed; ovules 1 or 2(or several) per locule, placentation axile, rarely parietal. DESCRIPTION BY biotik.org: Evergreen trees, trunk fluted, bark smooth, twigs glabrous. Leaves paripinnate, leaflets opposite, 2-6 pairs, base asymmetric, domatia glabrous. Flowers axillary, unisexual on different trees, greenish-yellow. Fruit a deeply lobed capsule. Seeds 2 enclosed at the base with deeply lobed orange aril. USES: Used as a fish poison. Bark and fruit is used to prevent leech bites, the oil of the seed is used as an anti-rheumetic. RECENT STUDIES: SS Gowri and K Vasantha 2010 has shown the Antibacterial activity of the Phytochemicals from the fruits of this plant.

17.02.13 94. Shivapriya Manchali

Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker Gawl. Convolvulaceae ETYMOLOGY: The generic name Ipomoea is derived from the Greek ‘ips’ means worm and ‘homoios’ means, similar to ie ‘worm-like’ in reference to the twining habit. COMMON NAMES: Obscure Morning Glory • Hindi: पान बेल Pan bel • Marathi: Pilibonvari, Bokadi, Pungali • Tamil: Chirutali, Kuruguttali, Sirudali • Malayalam: Cherutali വചറുതാളി, Tirutali തിരുതാളി• Kannada: Bilichita bogari, Bokadi mooguthi balli • Telugu: Nalla kokkita, Golla jiddu aaku • Sanskrit: लक्ष्मन Laksmana, विगिंधा Vachagandha. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON CONVOLVULACEAE: Convolvulaceae can be recognized by their funnel-shaped, radially symmetrical corolla; the floral formula for the family has five sepals, five fused petals, five epipetalous stamens (stamens fused to the petals), and a twopart syncarpous and superior gynoecium. The stems of these plants are usually winding, hence their Latin name (from convolvere, "to wind"). The leaves are simple and alternate, without stipules. The fruit can be a capsule, berry, or nut, all containing only two seeds per one locule (one ovule/ovary). FOI: Although the flowers on this lovely morning glory are small (about 1" across), the color is so unusual and lovely it really makes it worth adding to your garden. Beautiful pale yellow flowers with deep purple throats adorn this vigorous vine with small, heart shaped leaves. As with most morning glories, it loves full sun and average, well drained soil. It's takes a while for the blooms to start on this lovely vine, which climbs upto 6-10 ft. Beautiful heart-shaped leaves are 3-9 cm long. It is native to Tropical East Africa, Mascarene Islands, tropical Asia, throughout Malaysia to northern Australia and Fiji USES: Studies by TP Hamsa and G Kuttan in 2011 has shown that this plant has ability to stop spread of cancer cells or Metastasis. The same team has established the anti cancer and anti inflamatory activity of the same plant.


Achyranthes bidentata Blume. Amaranthaceae ETYMOLOGY: Genus is derived from the Greek achyron, chaff, and anthos, flower, referring to the chaffy parts of the flower. COMMON NAMES: Ox Knee • Assamese: Apawarga • Hindi: Putkanda • Kannada: kaadu uttharaani • Mizo: Vangvattur • Nepali: दनतवन Datiun, रातो अपमागि Ratoapamarga • Sanskrit: Apamarga • Tamil: nayuruvi. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON AMARANTHACEAE: Flowers on spikes, panicles, thyrses, heads, glomerules, clusters, or racemes; each flower subtended by 1 bract and 2 bracteoles which is chaffy. Flowers bisexual or unisexual hypogynous, generally small or minute; tepals mostly (1-)4-5 or absent, distinct or connate into cups or tubes, scarious, chartaceous, membranaceous, or indurate; stamens 2-5, filaments basally connate into cups or tubes, rarely distinct, alternating with pseudostaminodes (appendages on staminal tubes) or not, anthers 2-locular with 1 line of dehiscence or 4-locular with 2 lines of dehiscence; ovary superior, 1-locular; ovules 1 or, rarely, 2-many; style 1 or absent; stigmas 1-3(-5). FOI: Ox Knee is an erect or straggling herb, 0.6-2 m, much-branched. Stem and branches are indistinctly quadrangular or channeled, hairless to moderately (rarely more densely) hairy, the nodes frequently much shrunken when dry. Leaves are elliptic-oblong to broadly oval, rarely narrowly lanceshaped, shortly or longly long-pointed, gradually or more abruptly narrowed below, 9-22 x 2.5-8.5 cm, usually thinly hairy, rarely densely appressed-hairy on the lower surface. Stalks of main stem leaves are 0.3-2 cm long, shortening above and below. Inflorescences at first dense, finally lax and elongating to as much as 20 cm but commonly about half this length, the inflorescence stalk is 1-4 cm. Bracts are narrowly lanceshaped, brownish-membranous, 3-5 mm, hairless. Bracteoles are 3.5-5.5 mm. Tepals are 5, 4-7 mm, the outer longest, all narrowly lanceshaped, very acute, with a distinct midrib and 2 obscure or obvious lateral nerves, narrowly pale-margined. Capsule is 2-3 mm. Seed filling the capsule, cylindrical smooth. This species is globally distributed in the Paleotropics. Within India, it is found throughout the hilly regions between an altitude range of 1200-3200 m, and is common in waste places and in shady oak-forests. MEDICINAL USES: In Nepal its root juice is used for toothache. Its seeds have been used as a substitute for cereal grains in famine years. The plant is used externally in the treatment of leech bites in Mizoram, India and a decoction as a diuretic. RECENT STUDIES: F Yu et al in 2013 has shown that A. bidentata polysaccharides induce chondrocyte proliferation via the promotion of the G1/S cell cycle transition.W Yifei et al 2012 has shown the Antitumor activity of the crude saponins from A. bidentata. X Zhu et al in 2012 has shown that the Polysaccharides from this Plant enhance anti-malarial immunity in mice models.

15.02.13 92. Viswanath Ganapathi

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub Papilionaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named in compliment to John Staurt (1713-1792), 3rd Earl of Bute ans a Patron of Botany DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON PAPILIONACEAE: This family can be easily identified by charecteristic papilionaceas corolla and pulvinate leaf base. COMMON NAMES: Flame of the Forest • Hindi: Palash पला , Dhak ढाक, Tesu टे िू • Manipuri: পাঙ হগাঙ Pangong • Marathi: पळि Palas. Malayalam: Plasu പ്ലാശ്. FOI: Native to India, Flame of the Forest is a medium sized tree, growing from 20 to 4O feet high, and the trunk is usually crooked and twisted with irregular branches and rough, grey bark. The leaves are pinnate, with an 8-16 cm petiole and three leaflets, each leaflet 10-20 cm long. The hindi phrase ढाक के तीन पात ("Dhaak ke teen paat") comes from the prominent three leaflets of this tree. It is seen in all its ugliness in December and January when most of the leaves fall: but from January to March it truly becomes a tree of flame, a riot of orange and vermilion flowers covering the entire crown. These flowers, which are scentless, are massed along the ends of the stalks--dark velvety green like the cup-shaped calices--and the brilliance of the stiff, bright flowers is shown off to perfection by this deep, contrasting colour. Each flower consists of five petals comprising one standard, two smaller wings and a very curved beakshaped keel. It is this keel which gives it the name of Parrot Tree. In olden days, the flowers of Tesu were used to make color for the festival of Holi. In Manipur, there is an interesting cultural use of the wood of this tree with beautiful flowers - when a member of the Meitei community dies and, for some reasons, his body cannot be be found, the wood of this tree is cremated in place of the body. USES: It is used for timber, resin, fodder, medicine, and dye. The wood is dirty white and soft and, being durable under water, is used for well-curbs and water scoops. Good charcoal can be made from it. The leaves are usually very leathery and not eaten by cattle. Little Cowherd preparing Bankh from Butea roots. The gum is known as Bengal Kino and is considered valuable by druggists because of its astringent qualities and by leather workers because of its tannin.The gum from the tree, called kamarkas in Hindi, is used in certain food dishes. In poorer regions of many parts, for example in Maharashtra, this tree amongst others provides leaves that are used either with many pieced together or singly (only in case of a banana leaf) to make a leaf-plate for serving a meal over, and for example a would-be son-in-law was in older times (until a century ago) was tested on his dexterity in making this plate and bowl (for serving more liquid parts of the meal such as daal or stew) before being declared acceptable by the would be father-in-law.The flowers are used to prepare a traditional Holi colour. It is also used as a dyeing color for fabric. This plant kills Mosquitoes. They are attracted by the smell and color of the flower. Eggs that are laid into the liquid within the flower will never hatch. Any mosquito that touches the fluid can never escape from it. RECENT STUDIES: BH More et al in 2013 has Evaluated the Sunscreen activity of Cream containing Leaves Extract of B. monosperma for Topical application. RK Salar et al 2012 has studied the Efficacy of different extraction procedures on antibacterial activity of stem bark of B. monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze.

14.02.13 91. Shivapriya Manchali

Strelitzia reginae Banks ex Aiton Strelitziaceae ETYMOLOGY: After Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744 – 1818) the Queen of King George III United Kingdom COMMON NAMES: Bird-of-paradise, Crane flower FOI: Terrestrial, Herbaceous, Woody, Trees or shrubs, Pseudostem from leaf bases, Perennials, Rhizomes, Corms, Sap clear, Stems: elongate, rounded, solid, Leaves: Leaves - petiolate, Leaves - sheathing at base, Leaves - sheath open, Leaves - simple, Leaves - cauline, Leaves - alternate, Leaves - 2-ranked (distichous), Leaves - blade broad, Leaves - venation pinnate-parallel, Leaves - soft, Leaves margins entire, Inflorescence: terminal, lateral or axillary, bracteate, cymes, subtended by large spathe (leaf-like bract), enclosed by distichous boat-shaped bracts, Flowers pedicellate, Flowers: Flowers bisexual, Perianth present, Flowers large and showy, Flowers 3 merous, Flowers zygomorphic, Floral bracteoles present, Sepals/Tepals: Tepals 6 (Sepals indistinguishable from petals), Sepals distinguishable from petals, Sepals colored (not green), Sepals separate, Sepals united, Petals/Tepals: Petals 3, Petals 6, Petals basally united, Petals mostly separate, Petals white (to pinkish), Petals orange to red, Stamens: Stamens 5, Stamens 6 (3+3), Stamens united with style in a column, Pistil: Carpels united, Carpels 3, Ovary inferior, Styles 1, Stigma terminal capitate or trilobed, Locules 3, Placentation axile, Fruit: Fruit – capsule, Seeds: Seeds - numerous per locule, Seeds - with tuft of hair, Seeds - round or ellipsoid, Seeds arillate DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: The plant grows to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall, with large, strong leaves 25–70 cm (9.8–28 in) long and 10–30 cm (3.9–12 in) broad, produced on petioles up to 1 m (39 in) long. The leaves are evergreen and arranged in two ranks, making a fan-shaped crown. The flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges is termed the spathe. This is placed perpendicular to the stem, which gives it the appearance of a bird's head and beak; it makes a durable perch for holding the sunbirds which pollinate the flowers. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of three brilliant orange sepals and three purplish-blue petals. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the sunbirds sit to drink the nectar, the petals open to cover their feet in pollen.

13.02.13 90. Milind's Shutterbug Stachytarpheta indica (L.) Vahl Verbenaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek words ‘Stacky’ means spike and ‘Tarpheios’ means dense, alluding to the dense flowering in the spike inflorescence. COMMON NAMES: Indian snakeweed, Nettle-leaved vervain, Indian snakeweed, Common snakeweed, Woodland basil DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS OF FAMILY VERBENACEAE: The Verbenaceae are herbs, shrubs, or trees comprising about 100 genera and 2,600 species that are further characterized by the common occurrence of quadrangular twigs and/or aromatic herbage. The leaves are nearly always opposite or whorled, mostly simple; stipules are lacking. The flowers are nearly always bisexual and zygomorphic. The calyx is synsepalous and most commonly 5-merous. The corolla is sympetalous, usually unequally 5-lobed, and sometimes strongly 2lipped. The androecium most commonly consists of 4 didynamous stamens adnate to the corolla tube or perigynous zone, alternate with the lobes. The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of nearly always 2 carpels, a single terminal or subterminal style, and an unlobed or shallowly lobed ovary, usually with 4 locules (by false septation), each with a single axile ovule. A weakly developed annular nectary disk occurs around the base of the ovary in many species. The fruit is usually a drupe or nutlets. DESCRIPTION OF PLANT : Indian Snakeweed is a terrestrial, annual or perennial, erect subshrub, up to 2 m tall. Taproot white or brown. Stem quadrangular, solid, glabrous or hairy. Stipules absent. Leaves simple, not lobed or divided, opposite, stalked, elliptic or ovate, more than 2 cm long/wide, usually airy on both sides, margin coarsely dentate, apex acute or obtuse, base obtuse our rounded, pinnately veined. Stalkless blue flowers appear in a slender terminal spike, petals 5, blue, with white throat. Fruit is a nut MEDICINAL USES: The plant is abrotifacient; used for treating intestinal worms, venereal diseases, ulcers, dropsy and stomach ailments. It is also used in purulent ulcers, fevers and rheumatic inflammations. Juice of the plant is used against cataract and open sores. Infusion of the bark is used against diarrhoea and dysentery. Leaves are used in cardiac troubles and rubbed in sprains and bruises. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Plant contains Ipolamide, C29-C35 hydrocarbons, α-spinasterol, a saturated aliphatic ketone, a saturated aliphatic carboxylic acid and an unsaturated hydroxycarboxylic acid (Rastogi & Mehrotra, 1993). Stems and leaves contain iridoid glycoside, tarphetalin. Leaves also contain traces of choline, an iridoid, phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid, catechuic tannins, flavonols, luteolol and apigenol glucuronides, friedelin, stigmasterol, ursolic acid, hispidulin, scuttelarein.

12.02.13 89. Alka Khare

Papaver rhoeas L. Papaveraceae ETYMOLOGY: From Latin word ‘Pappa’ means Milk, alluding to the milky latex present in these plants COMMON NAMES: corn poppy, corn rose, field poppy, Flanders poppy, red poppy, red weed, coquelicot This poppy, a native of Europe, is notable as an agricultural weed DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS OF FAMILY PAPAVERACEAE : Herbs, annual, biennial, monocarpic perennial, perennial, or shrubby. Laticifers or elongated idioblasts present. Leaves alternate or in a basal rosette, rarely opposite or whorled, usually without stipules; leaf blade entire to compound. Inflorescences racemes, panicles, dichasia, pseudoumbels, or solitary flowers. Flowers actinomorphic, bisymmetric, or zygomorphic, always bisexual, usually 2-merous, rarely 3- or 4-merous. Calyx caducous, green or petaloid. Corolla choripetalous or quasi-sympetalous, very rarely absent. Anthers opening by slits. Ovary superior, syncarpous with 2 to several carpels; placentation parietal. FOI: The common poppy is a familiar wild flower, which has long been a symbol of death and rebirth, and is worn in many countries on Remembrance Day in order to commemorate those who lost their lives during warfare. The vibrant blood red large solitary flowers, 510 cm across, are supported by hairy stalks; the rounded petals are broader than they are long, and often have a dark spot at the base. Poppy flowers are found wild in grain fields and along roadsides and highways. Pink or white flowers may also occur. The stamens consist of violet coloured anthers borne on purplish-black filaments, and the stigma is a flattened disk with 8-14 rays. The branching stems are covered with stiff hairs, and the leaves are narrow and divided into toothed segments. The fruit is in the form of a capsule, capped by a disk; the small brown seeds are released via holes that open below the disk. Corn poppy is the source of the familiar poppy seeds used in baking.

11.02.13 88. Vinaya Raj

Getonia floribunda Roxb. Combretaceae SYN: Calycopteris floribunda (Roxb.) Lam. ex Poir. ETYMOLOGY: Could not find the etymology of Getonia, Calycopteris originated from greek words "Calyco" means calyx and "Pteros" wings, alluding to the wing like calyx surrounding the fruit. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON COMBRETCEAE: Leaves are simple, alternate or opposite, entire; stipules small or absent. The flowers are bisexual or sometimes unisexual, usually actinomorphic. The perianth arises from near the summit of a tubular epigynous zone; calyx of usually 4 or 5 distinct to slightly connate sepals; corolla commonly of 4 or 5 distinct petals, occasionally absent. The androecium of 4-10 stamens is adnate to the epigynous zone, commonly in two cycles, often strongly exserted. The gynoecium is a single compound pistil of 2-5 carpels; style and stigma 1; ovary inferior, with 1 locule containing 2(-6) apical ovules pendulous on long funiculi. COMMON NAMES: Paper flower climber • Marathi: Ukshi उक् ी • Hindi: Kokoray • Bengali: Gaichha lata • Kannada: Enjarigekubsa • Tamil: Pullanji Valli • Sanskrit: Susavi • Telugu: Murugudutige • Oriya: Dhonoti • Malayalam: Pullani പുല്ലാനി FOI: Ukshi is a large climbing shrub which is 5-10 meters long, with vines that are about two to four inches in diameter, the stem and leaves are said to be medicinal. Ukshi is found extensively in the low-lying tropical evergreen forests of the Western Ghats. These are also found in "Kavus" or the Sacred Groves of Kerala. It bears grey barks and tenuous branches with thick fluffs on the surface. The keratinous leaves, ovoid or oval, are 5 to 12 centimeters long. New branches are hairy and rust colored. Flowers occur in dense clusters are the end of branches. The bracts of the small flowers are ovoid or oval, with thick fluffs on the surface. Petals are absent. The 10 stamens are arranged in 2 cycles. The fruit inception bears 1 ventricle and 3 pendulous ovules inside. The fluffy sham-winged fruit, which is about 8 millimeters long, has 5 edges and 5 persistent calyxes which enlarges into the fluffy aliform with 10 to 14 millimeters in length. hairy and green sepals are prominent. Ukshi is revered as a life-saver by the forest dwellers who regularly depend on this vine during summer when streams dry up. Sections of the vine store water, which people often use to quench their thirst. USES: The leaves are bitter, astringent, laxative, anthelmintic, depurative, diaphoretic and febrifuge. They are useful in intestinal worms, colic, leprosy, malarial fever, dysentery, ulcers and vomiting. The fruits are useful in jaundice, ulcers, pruritus and skin diseases. RECENT STUDIES: AA Bhaskaran in 2012 has studied the Effect of aqueous extract of leaves of this plant on diabetes in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

10.02.13 87. Vinaya Raj

Erythropalum scandens Blume Olacaceae ETYMOLOGY: From greek words 'Erythros' means Red and 'Palum' Means Support alluding to the Red colored refelxed valves of the fruits. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON OLACACEAE: Shrubs, scandent shrubs, trees, or lianas, sometimes hemiparasitic, often glabrous. Leaves alternate, rarely opposite; petiole well developed; leaf blade simple, margin entire; Flowers usually bisexual, actinomorphic, 3-7merous, sometimes heterostylous. Calyx small at anthesis, cupular, discoid, or lobed, sometimes accrescent to partly or wholly covering fruit. Petals free or basally connate, valvate. Disk cuplike or annular, rarely free glands. Stamens 3-15, rarely in part staminodes, epipetalous; anthers basi- or medi-fixed, usually 2-loculed, longitudinally dehiscent. Ovary usually superior, rarely semisuperior but sometimes apparently inferior through fusion with calyx, 2-5-loculed or semiloculed with apex of ovary 1-loculed; ovules solitary in each locule or semilocule, pendent from apex of free central placenta, usually anatropous, integuments 1 or 2. Style terminal, simple; stigma 2-5-lobed. Fruit a drupe, sometimes with an accrescent calyx. eFLORAS: Lianas, 5-10 m tall, glabrous. Branchlets with ± persistent acute bud scales at base, with axillary tendrils. Petiole 3-10 cm; leaf blade ovate, oblong-ovate, or triangular-ovate, 8-20 × 4-15 cm, papery to ± leathery, base obtuse, truncate, or ± cordate, and usually peltate, apex acuminate; basal veins 3 or 5, abaxi-ally prominent, adaxially impressed. Cymes 6-18 cm, many-flowered; peduncle 4-10 cm. Pedicel filiform, 2-5 mm. Calyx cupular, 5-dentate, ca. 1 mm. Petals white, 1.5-2 mm. Stamens with tufts of hairs on either side. Disk elevated. Drupe ellipsoid to obovoid, 1.5-2.5 × 0.8-1.2 cm, crowned by persistent calyx; dehisced segments eventually recurving to display bright red inner surface. Seeds indigo blue, broadly ellipsoid. Fl. and fr. Mar-Sep. RECENT STUDIES: S Sutha et al in 2008 has studied the Antibacterial activity of Alstonia venenata R. Br. and E. scandens. Studies led by her in 2011 has proved the Anti-inflammatory activity of leaf of E. scandens against carrageenan induced paw edema.

09.08.13 86. Alka Khare

Gmelina arborea Roxb. Verbenaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named after Johann Georg Gmelin (1709-1755), German botanist COMMON NAMES: Gamhar • Hindi: गम्हड़ Gamhar • Manipuri: ৱাঙ Wang • Marathi: श वण Sivan • Tamil: Kumalaamaram • Malayalam: Kumbil കുമ്പിള്‍ • Telugu: Peddagumudutekku • Kannada: Shivani • Konkani: Sirni • Sanskrit: Madhumati. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON VERBENACEAE: Herbs, shrubs and trees, rarely woody climbers; branches and twigs tetragonal, not prominently nodose or articulated. Leaves opposite, decussate, rarely whorled or alternate, exstipulate, simple, rarely compound. Inflorescence definite and centrifugal or indefinite and centripetal, spicate, racemiform or panicled to umbellate or a head, very rarely solitary and axillary. Flowers usually zygomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous. Calyx gamosepalous, mostly tubular or campanulate, (2-) 4 (7)-lobed or toothed to subentire, persistent, sometimes enlarging and concealing the fruit. Corolla gamopetalous, often with as many lobes as the calyx and somewhat bilabiate, with unequal lobes above and tubular below. Stamens mostly 4 and didynamous, inserted on the corolla tube and alternating with the lobes; staminodes often present; anthers dithecous, mostly dehiscing longitudinally. Gynoecium 2 (4-5)-carpellary, syncarpous, somewhat 4-lobed and 2-4-loculed, with usually one ovule in each apparent cell on axile placentation; style simple, terminal. FOI: 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 G. 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. RECENT STUDIES: BS Nayak et al 2013 has studied the opioid and non-opioid analgesic activity of G. arborea roxb. fruit extracts.The same team has studied the Antibacterial, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of G. arborea roxb fruit extracts in 2012. DL Chothani and NM PatelDL has done the Preliminary phytochemical screening, pharmacognostic and physicochemical evaluation of leaf of G. arborea.


Cucumis melo L. Cucurbitaceae ETYMOLOGY: Cucumis is the ancient latin word for Cucumbr COMMON NAMES: Melon, Muskmelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Sugar melon • Hindi: खरबूज़ा Kharbooza • Marathi: धिबुिंडा Chibunda, Tarkaddi • Tamil: Thumattikai • Kannada: Budame Kayi • Bengali: Kharmuj • Urdu: Kharbooza • Gujarati: તરબ ૂચા Tarbucha • Sanskrit:

मधुफल Madhuphala, व्रट्टककिटी Vrittakarkatii FOI: Melon is a very popular summer fruit in northern parts of India and an annual climber growing to 1.5m. Melon leaves are oval to kidney shaped with five to seven shallow lobes. Plants produce trailing vines and yellow flowers similar to cucumbers, but flowers may be male, female, or perfect. Fruit is large, and can reach the size of a football, although it is generally more flattened. Several varieties have been developed with varying pulp and skin color and texture. RECENT STUDEIS: S Galaz 2013 has made Structural analysis of the alcohol acyltransferase protein family from C. melo shows that enzyme activity depends on an essential solvent channel. M Godbole et al 2012


Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Müll.Arg. Euphorbiaceae ETYMOLOGY: Derived from mallos = wool, and -otus = a Greek adjectival suffix referring to property; referring to the hairy fruit. COMMON NAMES: Kamala Tree, dyer's rottlera, monkey face tree, orange kamala, red kamala, scarlet croton • Hindi: कामला kamala, रै नी raini, रोहन rohan, रोहहनी rohini, शिन्द्धुरी sinduri • Manipuri: উরৈচৈাম লবা Ureirom laba • Marathi: के री kesari, ेंदरी shendri • Tamil: ைபிலப்சபாடி kapila poti, குைங்குமஞ்சணாறி kuranku-mañcanari • Malayalam: വചവങ്കാല്ലി cenkolli, കുങ്കുമപ്ൂമരം kunkumappuumaram, കുരങ്ങുമഞ്ഞള്‍ kurangumanjal, നാവട്ട naavatta, നൂറിമരം nuurimaram • Telugu: కుంకుమ చెట్ు ట kunkuma-chettu • Kannada: ಕುಮುುಮದ್ ಮರ kunkuma-damara • Bengali: কমলা kamala • Sanskrit: कास्म्पल्यक kampilyaka. FOI: Kamala Tree (pronounced kaamlaa) is a tree found throughout India. It has been in use as medicinal tree in India for ages. The tree can grow up to 10 m tall. Alternately arranged, ovate or rhombic ovate leaves are rusty-velvety. Male and female flowers occur in different trees. Female flowers are borne in lax spike like racemes at the end of branches or in leaf axils. Male flowers occur three together in the axils of small bracts. Capsule is trigonous-globular, covered with a bright crimson layer of minute, easily detachable reddish powder. Kamala is supposed to be a very useful tree. It is source of Kamala dye which is used in colouring silk and wool. It is used as anti-oxidant for ghee and vegetable oils. Oil is used as hair-fixer and added in ointment. Seed oil is used in paints and varnishes. Seed cake is used as manure. MEDICINAL USES: According to Ayurveda, leaves are bitter, cooling and appetizer. Fruit is heating, Purgative, anthelmintic, vulnerary, detergent, maturant, carminative, alexiteric and useful in treatment of bronchitis, abdominal diseases, spleen enlargement etc. RECENT STUDIES: MA Smith et al 2012 has done Characterization of Novel Triacylglycerol Estolides from the Seed Oil of M. philippensis and Trewia nudiflora. A Daikonya et al 2002 has studied the Anti-allergic Agents from Natural Sources.(4): Anti-allergic Activity of New Phloroglucinol Derivatives from M. philippensis.


Falconeria insignis Royle Euphorbiaceae ETYMOLOGY: In honour of Hugh Falconer(1808 – 1865) Scotish Doctor and Superintend of Saharanpur Botanical Garden, India.He studied the flora, fauna, and geology of India, Assam, and Burma, and was the first to suggest the modern evolutionary theory of punctuated equilibrium. He was the first to discover the Siwalik fossil beds, and may also have been the first person to discover a fossil ape. SYNONYMS: Carumbium insigne (Royle) Kurz, Excoecaria insignis (Royle) Müll.Arg., Falconeria malabarica Wight., F. wallichiana Royle, Gymnobothrys lucida Wall. ex Baill.Sapium insigne (Royle) Trimen, S. insigne (Royle) Benth. & Hook. f., S. insigne var. malabaricum (Wight) Hook.f. DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON FAMILY: A highly heterogeneous family. Generally identifiable with special kinds of inflorescence, Unisexual flowers and Tricarpellary syncarpous and trilocular superior ovary. COMMON NAMES: Tiger's Milk Spruce, Chinese Tallow • Hindi: र्खन्द्ना Khinna, र्खरुन Khirun • Marathi: Hura, Kirkind, ेरोड Sherod • Tamil: Karuppu-Chutai • Malayalam: Kalmaram കല്മരം , Kannampotti കന്നാ‍മ്പാട്ടി• Telugu: దెవసదరోప్ీ Devasuroopi, గరభసదలా Garbhasula • Kannada: Kannupade, Kurda. FOI: Tiger's Milk Spruce is a small tree, 5-10 m high, with horizontal branches, exuding poisonous milky juice. Oppositely arranged elliptic-lanceolate leaves with serrated margins, 16-19 x 5-8 cm, are crowded at the ends of branchlets. Leaves have pointed tips, base acute or wedge-shaped, unequal; leaf-stalk 4-5 cm long. Flowers small, unisexual, in terminal 7-9 cm long, upright, stout, spikes, with a whorl of linear scales at base. Male flowers less than 1 mm long, in sessile cluster, in the axils of adpressed bracts. During flowering, the tree has a curious appearance - it is completely leafless, with only long, sharp, upright spikes at the end of branches. Members of this genus are invariably hazardous. In Mexico, the milky sap is reputed to be harmful and the American Indians utilised it for poisoning their arrows. In Salvador, the sap is claimed to be poisonous and blistering in effect if in contact with the skin for which reason the trees are often left standing when the land is cleared. Flowering: December-January. RECENT STUDIES: HB Liu et al 2012 has reported the Cytotoxic diterpenoids from this plant. HP Devkota et a 2010 has isolted A new phenolic compound, 4-dehydrochebulic acid-1, 6-dimethyl ester from its leaves.

05.02.13 82.Bhagyashri Ranade

Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob. Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: Probably Greek cyanos , blue, and anthyllion , little flower, alluding to blue or bluish corollas. COMMON NAMES: Little ironweed, Purple feabane • Hindi: Sahadevi िहदे वी • Marathi: Sadodi • Tamil: பூவங்குருந்தல் Puvamkuruntal •Malayalam: Poovam Kurunnu പൂവാംകുരുന്നു്• Telugu: Sahadevi • Bengali: Kuksim FOI: Little ironweed is an annual or short-lived perennial to 50cm with ovate leaves. The stems branch repeatedly at the top to hold aloft the small cylindrical, purple flower heads. Flowers throughout the year. Originally from Central America, now a pantropical weed, it is sometimes considered native to Western Australia. Found in upland crop areas, waste places and roadsides throughout India. FPK-KFRI: Annuals or perennial herbs, stem ribbed, smooth or puberulus. Leaves variable, 2-8 x 1-3 cm, ovate, acute at both ends, thinly hairy below; petiole 1-2 cm long, slender. Heads 5 x 3 mm, in terminal corymbose cymes, peduncled; outer bracts minute, inner oblong, acute, cuspidate, hairy. Flowers 5-10, similar; corolla 3 mm long, glabrous. Achenes 1.5 mm long, hairy; outer pappus 1 mm long, setaceous, inner 3 mm long. USES: The seeds yield a fatty oil and are used as an anthelmintic and alexipharmic; they are said to be quite effective against roundworms and threadworms. They are also given for coughs, flatulence, intestinal colic and dysuria and for leucoderma, psoriasis and other chronic skin-diseases. The seeds are made into a paste with lime juice and used for destroying pediculi. It is one of the 10 medicinal plant combination 'Dashapushapam' and has much religious significance in Kerala. RECENT STUDIES: MA Haque et al 2013 has Evaluated the anti-diarrheal and anti-diabetic activities of the stem, barks and leaves of this plant. M Khay et al 2012 has studied the HPLC analysis and cytotoxic activity of this plant. VRK Thiagarajan and P Shanmugam in 2012 has studied the Ameliorative effect of this plant in vincristine-induced painful neuropathy in rats

04.02.13 81. Satish Phadke

Acrocarpus fraxinifolius Arn. Caesalpiniaceae ETYMOLOGY: 'Acro' Means Tip and 'Carpus' means Fruit alluding to the position of pods bearing at the tip of the branches. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON CAESALPINIACEAE: Trees, shrubs, climbers, very rarely herbs. Leaves mostly alternate, mostly pinnate or bipinnate, pinnae or leaflets 1-many pairs rarely simple or unifoliolate. Stipules paired, mostly caducous, stipels may or may not be present. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, rarely leaf opposed, raceme or panicle. Flowers zygomorphic, rarely actinomorphic, mostly bisexual. Sepals 5 or 4 by the union of 2, free or partly united, imbricate or rarely valvate. Petals 5 or fewer, rarely absent, imbricate, adaxial inner most. Stamens 10 or fewer, rarely numerous, free to variously connate; extra staminal disc sometimes present. Pistil unicarpellary, ovary unilocular, ovules 1 to many, style single, undivided. Fruit a legume or indehiscent drupaceous and samaroid. Seeds sometimes arillate, rarely with endosperm. COMMON NAMES: Pink Cedar, Acrocarpo, Australian ash, Indian ash, Kenya coffee shade, Mundani, Red cedar, Shingle tree • Hindi: मिंडाननया Mandania, मिंधानी Mandhani, मुिंडानी OR मुिंदानी Mundani • Manipuri: মুন Mun, মুন্দনী Mundani • Marathi: टोकफळ Tokphal • Tamil: மகலக்சைான்கற malai-k-konrai • Malayalam: Karangan കരങ്ങാന്‍, Kurangadi കുരങ്ങാടി, Narivenga നരി‍വങ്ങ• Kannada: Belangi, Hantige • Bengali: মুন্দনী Mundani FOI: Pink Cedar is a fast-growing tree, which can reach 30-60 m in height. The straight trunk has spurs and the round crown is composed of rising branches. The leaves are bipinnate, about 30 cm with 3-4 compound leaflets and consisting of 5-6 elliptical, lancelike leaflets 7-10 cm long and arranged in pairs. The leaves are bright red when young, giving the tree its characteristic appearance. The wood of Pink Cedar is hard and strong. Because it physically resembles ash and walnut woods, it is used as a substitute for these two species. The wood is used in the construction of houses and in the manufacture of furniture and packing cases. In Africa the tree is planted to provide shade in coffee plantations. The flowers are scarlet red and arranged in axillary racemes. Flowers appear on tree when leafless, up to 20 dense heads hanging down from branch ends, each 12 cm long, dripping nectar from the reddish-green to orange flowers. Fruit is an elongated and flattened pod, narrowly winged, 10-18 seeded. RECENT STUDIES: R Trianoski et al 2012 has studied the Feasibility of using A. fraxinifolius in different proportion with Pinus taeda for production of particleboard. USES: The foliage can be used as fodder. Apiculture: A. fraxinifolius is a good source of nectar and a good bee forage. Fuel: The wood is sometimes used for firewood in many places. Timber: The sapwood is whitish; the heartwood is bright red to brownish-red with darker veins, making it very decorative. A. fraxinifolius has been recommended for reinforcing riverbanks and stabilizing terraces. Shade or shelter: Ideal as a shade tree on tea and coffee plantations, for example, as planted in Kenya and Uganda. Known to have been planted as a windbreak in Tanzania. Reclamation: Very good for reforestation of open areas. Soil improver: Leaves are suitable for mulching.

03.02.13 80. N Arun Kumar

Oxalis triangularis A. St.-Hil. Oxalidaceae ETYMOLOGY: From 'Oxys' The Greek word for Acid, Alluding to the Acid taste of the Leaves and Vegetative Parts. COMMON NAMES: Purple Shamrock, Love plant DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON OXALIDACEAE: Flowers with five petals , Ten stamens in two rings of five , A superior seed capsule with five parts, No stipules They often have a fleshy aril to fling the seed from the pod Often have folded leaflets. FOI: Purple Shamrock is beautiful plant found in Brazil. It is a low growing clump-forming herbaceous plant that reaches a height of 710 inches with a spread of 10-15 inches. Leaves are purple, trifoliate with leaflets shaped like inverted triangles. The flowers are white or pale purple, that are funnel-shaped, and can be produced both by seeds and rhizomes. USES: Leaves - raw or cooked, contain oxalic acid, which gives them their sharp acid flavour. RECENT STUDIES: S Huh et al 2010 has studied the Melanogenesis inhibitory effect of fatty acid alkyl esters isolated from O. triangularis. E Alexandra et al 2001 has studied the Anthocyanins from O. triangularis as potential food colorants.

02.02.13 79. Rahul Sharma

Zinnia elegans Jacq. Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: The name honors genus German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn (1727–59). He described the orchid genus Epipactis. Zinn made a great contribution to the study of anatomy. In his book Descriptio anatomica oculi humani, he provided the first detailed and comprehensive anatomy of the human eye. COMMON NAMES: Zinnia, Common zinnia FOI: Originally coming from Mexico, this is a very popular flower, with its wide range of colours and sizes. Many varieties differing in weight, shape, size and colour have been evolved. The leaves are oval and rough textured. There are single, semi-double or double flowers and the colours range from white, cream, yellow, orange over rose, purple scarlet, maroon, to lilac, lavender, magenta, mauve, salmon to violet. Grown as tall (75 - 90 cm), medium (45 - 60 cm) and dwarf (15 - 45 cm) varieties, Zinnias are suitable for beds, borders, and pots. The cut flowers are commonly used in flower arrangements. They are grown by seeds and survive best in light and medium loam soils, rich in organic matter and in a sunny environment. Frequent and heavy watering is required. Generally, there is no damage from insects. USES: A number of species of zinnia are popular ornamental plants. Their varied habits allow for uses in several parts of a garden, and their tendency to attract butterflies and hummingbirds is seen as desirable. RECENT STUDIES: H Amjazi and M Hamidpour studied the Effects of phosphorus, vermin compost and natural zeolite on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Z. elegans. GP Rao et al in 2012 has Characterized an isolate of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' infecting Z. elegans in India.

01.02.13 78. N Arun Kumar

Nerium oleander L Apocynaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek, the Name Nerium was given to the oleander plant by Dioscorides DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON APOCYNACEAE: The dogbane family consists of trees, shrubs, herbs, or lianas; most of them exuding milky latex if injured. The leaves are simple, usually opposite and decussate, or whorled; lacking stipules. Flowers are usually showy, actinomorphic, aggregated in cymose or racemose inflorescences (rarely fasciculate or solitary). They are perfect (bisexual), with a synsepalous, five-lobed calyx united into a tube at the base. Inflorescences are terminal or axillary. Five petals are united into a tube with four or five epipetalous stamens. The style is expanded at the apex into a massive clavuncle just below the stigma. The ovary is usually superior, bicarpellary, and apocarpous, with a common fused style and stigma. COMMON NAMES: Oleander • Hindi: Kaner कनेर • Manipuri: কবীরৈ Kabirei • Tamil: அைைி Arali • Bengali: Raktakarab FOI: Beautiful blossoms, of fragrant pink flowers in bunches, at the tip of branchlets rendering an eye-catching sight that is 'Oleander'. A native of India and the Mediterranean, it is now widely grown in tropical and subtropical gardens, parks, avenues, and is popular for its hue and fragrance. It rises up to 3 meters erect with its short branches and dark dusty green leathery narrow leaves, which grow in whorls. The are narrow lance like, 5-21 cm long and 1-3.5 cm broad, and with an entire margin. The flowers grow in clusters at the end of each branch; they are white, pink or yellow, 2.5-5 cm diameter, with 5 petals fringed at the base. They are often, but not always, sweetly scented. The fruit is a long narrow capsule 5-23 cm long, which splits open at maturity to release numerous downy seeds. The plants are almost free from pests and diseases and untouched by cattle and goats, due to their toxicity. In India they are thus the most favoured plants for the road dividers, where a plant has to withstand heat and dust, and little water. There are single and double forms in white, pink and red. Several other cultivars have been developed - once example is a popular variety called 'Petit Salmon' which is a dwarf that grows to only 4 ft (1.2 m). USES: Oleander grows well in warm subtropical regions, where it is extensively used as an ornamental plant in landscapes, in parks, and along roadsides. Despite the danger, oleander seeds and leaves are used to make medicine. Oleander is used for heart conditions, asthma, epilepsy, cancer, painful menstrual periods, leprosy, malaria, ringworm, indigestion, and venereal disease; and to cause abortions. A fixed combination of oleander leaf powdered extract, pheasant's eye fluid extract, lily-of-the-valley fluid extract, and squill powdered extract has been used for treating mild heart failure. Oleander is sometimes applied to the skin to treat skin problems and warts. RECENT STUDIES: A Argiropoulos and S Rhizopoulou 2013 has studied the Morphological features of petals of N. oleander. MAHM Jamal et al 2012 has conducted the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Analysis of N. oleander against Bacterial Pathogens


Averrhoa carambola L Oxalidaceae ETYMOLOGY: Averrhoa: named after Averrhoes (1126-98), an Arab philosopher. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON OXALIDACEAE: Flowers with five petals , Ten stamens in two rings of five , A superior seed capsule with five parts, No stipules They often have a fleshy aril to fling the seed from the pod Often have folded leaflets COMMON NAMES: Carambola, Star fruit • Urdu: कमरख़ Kamrakh • Hindi: Karmal करमल • Manipuri: লহচনৌচজাম Heinoujom • Malayalam: Chaturappuli ചതുരപ്ുളി• Tamil: Tamarattai FOI: A slow growing small tropical tree, no more than 25 feet tall, originally from Southeast Asia (Indonesia) The green leaflets are sensitive to light and fold inward at night. It has small, pink colored flowers with a dark-red heart. The carambola plant will flower and fruit four times yearly. This tropical fruit, fleshy five lobbed, ovate to elliptoid, is attractive yellow-orange and pleasantly aromatic! The tree flowers and bears fruit almost year-round. When sliced in cross section a perfect star is formed. Carambola is eaten fresh or in fruit salads. The carambola tree seems to be used for bonsai. FPK-KFRI: Tree, to 15 m tall; branches often drooping; young parts yellowish-pubescent to reddish-glabrescent. Leaves scattered; rachises to 20 cm long; leaflets 3-6 pairs, variable, acute to acuminate at apex, to 10 x 4 cm, glaucous beneath; lateral nerves 4-10 pairs. Inflorescences axillary, rarely on branches, to 6 cm long; pedicels 3-6 mm long; jointed above middle. Sepals obovate or oblong-ovate to 3-angled, acute to obliquely emarginate, to 4 x 2 mm, subglabrous, bright red, yellowish brown with pale margin when dry. Petals obovate to lanceolate, connate above ca 1 mm long claw, glabrous or with minute septate-glandular hairs inside. Shorter stamens without anthers; filaments often swollen at base, to 4.5 mm long. Ovary ellipsoid, ca 2.5 mm long, appressed-puberulous mainly on ribs; ovules 3-5 in each locule; styles to 2 mm long. Fruits ovoid to ellipsoid with 5 acute longitudinal ridges, stellate in cross section, lobed at both ends, to 12 x 6 cm, shining, yellowish green; seeds to 10, 12 x 5 mm; aril 2-lipped, enclosing seed, fleshy. USES: Fruits are refreshing eaten fresh, mixed with other fruits, in salads, or processed into drinks. They are also stewed, pickled or used for chutney and jam. The fruit flavour is enhanced by peeling off the ‘wing’ edges, which removes most of the oxalic acid. Because the fruit is extremely perishable it must be consumed locally. Some Brazilian cultivars have a very high content of vitamin C as well as an applicable amount of provitamin A. Unripe fruit of A. carambola contains potassium oxalate, which is used in dyeing. Fruit can be a laxative on account of the oxalic acid it contains. It is also used in traditional medicine for skin disorders and fevers. RECENT STUDIES: YS Lim and ST Lee in 2013 has studied the Antioxidant Capacities of Star Fruit. BN Das and M Ahmed in 2012 has established the Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activities of the Fruit Extract of A. carambola.

30.01.13 76. Sanjeev Lale

Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd. Mimosaceae (Leguminosae) ETYMOLOGY: Derived form the Greek word 'Akis' Means a sharp point or thorn alluding to the presence of sharp thorns in some species. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON MIMOSACEAE: Trees, shrubs or very rarely herbs. Leaves bipinnate, rarely unipinnate; stipules present, sometimes spinescent. Inflorescence generally a spike or umbel, rarely racemose or globose umbels; bracts small. Sepals usually 5, imbricate or valvate, generally fused together, toothed or lobed. Petals usually 5, valvate, free or fused, corolla lobed, hypo- or slightly perigynous. Stamens few to many, free or monadelphous or adnate to base of corolla tube; anthers versatile, often crowned by a deciduous gland. Pistil monocarpellary; ovary unilocular; ovules mostly numerous, style filiform; stigma terminal. Fruit dehiscent or indehiscent, sometimes schizocarpic; seeds mostly ovate to orbicular; aril rarely present. COMMON NAMES: Mimosa bush, Needle bush, Cassie flower, Fragrant acacia, Ironwood, Sweet acacia, Sweet wattle • Hindi: गुह बबल ू Guh baboool, Gukikar, Gandh babool • Manipuri: Chigong lei • Marathi: गुकीकर Gukikar • Telugu: Nagatumma • Kannada:

Kasturigibbali • Hindi: ગંધલ ે ો બબ ૂલ Gandhelo babul• Oriya: Kapur • Tamil: Kadivel, ைஸ்தூரிலவல் Kasthurivel, பீக்ைருலவல்

Pikkaruvel • Assamese: তৈুৱা কদম Tarua kadam • Bengali: Guyababula FOI: Mimosa Bush is a shrub which usually grows to a height of around 1 to 1.5 metres, but it can grow up to 8 m tall. Almost every part of the plant contains sharp thorns. The slightly rough stems are a rich chocolate brown or grey, possessing long, sharp, multiple thorns. The small, yellow, puff-like flowers are very fragrant and appear in clusters in late winter then sporadically after each new flush of growth, providing nearly year-round bloom. The persistent fruits have a glossy coat and contain seeds which are cherished by birds and other wildlife. Widely cultivated for its decorative qualities and the essential oil obtained from its flowers for use in the perfume industries. USES: Cassie perfume is distilled from the flowers. Cassie absolute is employed in preparation of violet bouquets, extensively used in European perfumery. Cassie pomades are manufactured In Uttar Pradesh and the Punjab. Pods contain 23 percent tannin, a glucoside of ellagic acid, and are used for tanning leather. Bark also used for tanning and dying leather in combination with iron ores and salts. In Bengal and West Indies, pods are used for a black leather dye. Gummy substance obtained from pods used in Java as cement for broken crockery. Gum exuding from trunk considered superior to gum arabic in arts. Trees used as ingredient in Ivory Coast for arrow poison; elsewhere they are used as fences and to check erosion. Wood is hard and durable underground, used for wooden plows and for pegs. Trees often planted as an ornamental RECENT STUDIES: RB Kingsley et al 2013 has established the Anti-Diabetes Activity Of A. farnesiana (L.) Willd In Alloxan Diabetic Rats. S Irian et al 2012 has conducted A study on the allergenicity and ontogeny of A. farnesiana pollen grains in guinea pigs


Alternanthera ficoidea (L.) Sm. Amaranthaceae ETYMOLOGY: Alluding to the fertile anthers alternating with sterile staminodes. COMMON NAMES: Sanguinarea • Marathi: कुिळ kusal DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON THE FAMILY: Flowers on spikes, panicles, thyrses, heads, glomerules, clusters, or racemes; each flower subtended by 1 bract and 2 bracteoles which is chaffy. Flowers bisexual or unisexual hypogynous, generally small or minute; tepals mostly (1-)4-5 or absent, distinct or connate into cups or tubes, scarious, chartaceous, membranaceous, or indurate; stamens 2-5, filaments basally connate into cups or tubes, rarely distinct, alternating with pseudostaminodes (appendages on staminal tubes) or not, anthers 2-locular with 1 line of dehiscence or 4-locular with 2 lines of dehiscence; ovary superior, 1-locular; ovules 1 or, rarely, 2-many; style 1 or absent; stigmas 1-3(-5). FOI: Sanguinarea is a perennial herb, native to South America, and now naturalized in India. Stems are prostrate or erect, mostly 1-3 ft long, moderately branched, hairless below, generally hairy above and in leaf-axils. Leaves are inverted-lance like or narrowly elliptic, acute at apex, narrowed at the base into a poorly defined petiole, hairless or velvety., mostly 2-6 cm long and 0.6-2.0 cm wide. Round or short-cylindrical flower heads lie stalkless in leaf axils, 5-10 mm long, 5-7 mm wide. Flowering: August. USES: Annual with colorful foliage. Often used to fill space with color. Used in classic Victorian gardens to create geometric carpet patterns, these low-growing, colorfully leafed and flowered bedding plants can be sheared into shapes. Bright yellow, red and pink markings on leaves can clash with other plants. Best with other bright colors or in window boxes or pots. Flowers are minuscule and plants are usually sheared before the flowering stage.


Dimorphotheca pluvialis (L.) Moench Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: The name "Dimorphotheca" comes from the Greek "Dis" "Morphe" and "Theka", meaning "two shaped fruit", referring to the dimorphic cypselae. COMMON NAMES : African daisy, Rain Daisy, Weather Prophet, Cape Marigold DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON ASTERACEAE: Herbs, subshrubs, or shrubs, rarely trees or climbers, bisexual, monoecious, or sometimes dioecious, many with laticiferous cells or canals and/or resinous ducts. Leaves often in a basal rosette; cauline leaves usually alternate, more rarely (in China) opposite or whorled, sessile or petiolate, without stipules; petiole sometimes auriculate at base; leaf blade entire to variously lobed or divided. Florets bisexual (perfect), female (pistillate), or functionally male (functionally staminate), solitary or few to many enclosed in an involucre of 1- to many-seriate phyllaries (involucral bracts) to form a capitulum; calyculus of outer bracts sometimes present and often differing markedly from phyllaries. Capitula solitary or few to many arranged in variously formed synflorescences, homogamous or heterogamous, discoid, disciform, radiate, subradiate, radiant, or ligulate; receptacle usually flattened, sometimes slightly concave or convex, rarely conical, smooth or alveolate, paleate (scaly) or epaleate, with bristles, scales, hairs, or naked. Corolla (3-) 5-merous, gamopetalous, tubular or tubular-filiform, and regular, bilabiate, radiate, or ligulate. Stamens (4 or)5, inserted within corolla tube; filaments adnate to proximal part of corolla; anthers basifixed or dorsifixed, usually coalescent into a tube, base caudate or not, apex with (rarely without) a sterile, ovate or lanceolate appendage; pollen grains usually tricolporate, echinate or sometimes lophate or spinulate, often caveate. Style apically bifid (rarely entire); style branches variously shaped, with or without an apical appendage, hairs, or papillae. Ovary inferior, 1-loculed; ovule 1, basal, anatropous. Fruit an achene (cypsela). Pappus consisting of 1 to many rows of scales or bristles, or absent. Seed erect; endosperm scanty; embryo straight. FOI: It is an annual plant, native to Namibia, Namaqualand and the south western Cape. During spring huge fields are covered with this bright white daisy, forming a dazzling mass. The white petals, actually ray florets, are mauve on the underside. For the best display it is important to visit the garden on a sunny day as these sun loving daisies only open with the warmth of the sun from about 10 o’clock in morning to 4 o’clock in the afternoon. As the sun moves across the sky their flowers follow, always facing the sun. African daisy forms a bushy plant that is covered with large white daisies all flowering at the same level. The flowering season is from July to October, depending on the rain. The narrow leaves are light green, about 7 cm long, have indented edges and are alternately arranged on the stem. They are numerous at the base of the stems, becoming fewer and smaller near the top. RECENT STUDIES: DG Hayes et al 1995 has studied the Occurrence of estolides in processed D. pluvialis seed oil. L Hof et al 1999 has studied the model describing the flowering of single plants, and the heritability of flowering traits of D.pluvialis.


Prunus ceylanica Miq. Rosaceae ETYMOLOGY: From the Anciant Ltin Name for Cherry and Plum DIAGNOSTIC NOTES ON THE FAMILY: Rosaceae generally have Pentamerous Condition (five sepals, five petals) and many spirally arranged stamens. The bases of the sepals, petals, and stamens are fused together to form a characteristic cup-like structure called hypanthium. COMMON NAMES: Malayalam: Attanaripongu അട്ടനാറിവപാങ്ങു്, Irattani ഇരട്ടാണി, Karmavu ക‍മാവ്, Naikambagam നായകംബകം,

Korandamaram

വകാരണ്ടമരം,

Rettiyan

വരട്ടിയന്‍.

Tamil:

Palankacchi;பாலன்ைச்சி,

Attanarei

ஆட்ைநாகை; Attanrikongu ஆட்ைன்ரிலைாங்கு; Muttainari Kongu. முட்கைநாரி லைாங்கு. IUCN STATUS: Endangered FPK-KFRI: Evergreen trees, to 25 m high, bark 6-8 mm thick, brownish-black, rough, vertically fissured and shallowly horizontally cracked forming thin tessellate flakes; branchlets prominently lenticellate. Leaves simple, alternate; stipules small, lateral, cauducous; petiole 10-22 mm, stout, grooved above, glabrous; lamina 10-21 x 4.5-8.5 cm, ovate, ovate-lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, or ellipticovate, base acute, round or oblique, apex acuminate or obtusely acute, margin entire, glabrous, coriaceous; lateral nerves 5-9 pairs, pinnate, prominent, slender, intercostae reticulate, prominent, 2 pitted glands at base on either side of the midrib often present. Flowers bisexual, 5-6 mm across, white, in axillary racemes; bracts forming a cone in buds, deciduous; calyx tube campanulate; lobes 56, ovate, acute or obtuse, densely hairy; petals 5-6, oblong, tomentose without; stamens 20-30; filaments slender, incurved; anthers small; ovary sessile, inferior, 1-celled, glabrous, ovules 2, pendulous; style 1, subulate; stigma capitate. Fruit a drupe 20-25 x 35-37 mm, depressed globose, obscurely 2-lobed, glabrous; seeds 2, globose.


Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L. Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek word Ageras Meaning Not aging, may be referring to the everlasting flowers of some species. DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON THE FAMILY: Asteraceae is one of the most Definable family with characteristic Head or Capitulum inflorescence. COMMON NAMES: Goat weed, Billy goat weed, Tropical whiteweed • Hindi: जिंगली पुदीना Jangli pudina, Visadodi, Semandulu, Gha buti, Bhakumbar • Manipuri: হখাাংগজাঈ নপী Khongjai napi • Marathi: Ghanera osaadi • Kannada: Oorala gida, Helukasa • Tamil: Pumppillu, Appakkoti • Malayalam: Appachedi അപ്വെടി, Kattappa കട്ടപ്, Muriyan pacca • Bengali: Uchunti • Sanskrit: Visamustih. FOI: Goat weed is a common tropical annual herbaceous weed. It is an erect softly hairy annual plant which grows up to a height of 2.5 feet. Oppositely arranged leaves are ovate to lance-like, coarsely rounded, and have toothed margin. Numerous pale blue or whitish flower heads are 6 mm across, often forming dense domed to flat-topped clusters in leaf axils or end of branches. Flowers most of the year. The stem is often red and has long white hairs. The weak aromatic unpleasant smelling leaves are also covered with fine hair. The dark seeds have scales and ends in a needle-like shape. USES: In alternative medicine, ageratum is used against epilepsy and wounds, also used as an insect repellent and nematicide. RECENT STUDIES: F Nasrin in 2013 has established the Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of A. conyzoides stems. GP Widodo et al 2012 has studied the Antifungal Activity of Coumarin from A. conyzoides L. Leaves on Candida albicans cells. R Nuning in 2012 has studied the Cytotoxic Effect of Etanolic Extract of A. conyzoides, L Against HeLa Cell Line. TC Shekhar and G Anju in 2012 has Comprehensively Reviewed the phytochemistry of this plant. MM Hassan et al 2012 has established the Anti-inflammatory Activity, Total Flavonoids and Tannin Content from the Ethanolic Extract of A. conyzoides Linn. Leaf


Carallia brachiata (Lour.) Merr. Rhizophoraceae ETYMOLOGY: from 'Carillie' the name of C. licida in Guiana DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON THE FAMILY: Trees, or shrubs very often mangroves, Leaves opposite (but not decussate), or whorled, leathery, stipules interpetiolar (sheathing the terminal bud), Calyx (3–)4–5(–16); 1 whorled; polysepalous; regular; Corolla (3–)4–5(–16); 1 whorled; appendiculate, Androecium 8–40. Androecial members branched, or unbranched; free of the perianth, Gynoecium 2–5(–20) carpelled, Styles 1; apical. Stigmas 1. COMMON NAMES: Freshwater Mangrove • Assamese: ডাইনী জামু Daini jamu • Bengali: kierpa • Garo: thekra aga • Hindi: kierpa • Kannada: andhimaragala, andhimuriyana, andhi punaaru mara • Khasi: Dieng-sohlangbali, Dieng sohsyllih • Malayalam: karekandel കവരകണ്ടല്, vallabham വല്ലഭം, vankana വങ്കന, varangu വരങ്ങു്• Marathi: Kamdelo, Ponsi, Phanshi • Mizo: theiria • Tamil: andimiriam • Telugu: kaaralli, kaarvalli, gijuru chettu. FOI: Freshwater Mangrove is a tree growing up to 10 m tall. Branches are brown, corky. Stipules are 1-2.5 cm. Leaves carried on 1 cm long stalks are elliptic-obovate, oblanceolate, or rarely circular, 5-15 x 2-10 cm, papery to thinly leathery. Leaf base is wedge-shaped, margin entire or toothed, tip pointed or shortly tapering. Inflorescences are 1-6 cm, often resinous, usually shining from secreted resin. Flowers are short-stalked or stalkless. Bracteoles are 2 or 3, partially fused into a cup. Sepals are 6 or 7, triangular, 3-4 mm. Petals are white, nearly round, 1.5 mm in diameter, notched at the tip and unevenly lacerate. Stamens are about 2 mm. Ovary is bulbous, 2 mm; style 2 mm; stigma discoid, apically 4-8-lobed. Fruit is glossy pink to red round, 5 mm in diameter. Seeds are kidney-shaped. RECENT STUDIES: B Krishnaveni et ak 2009 reported the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of its Bark. B Krishnaveni et al 2009 has reported the Wound healing activity of C. brachiata bark. P Phuwapraisirisan and P Sowanthip 2006 studied the Reactive radical scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibition of proanthocyanidins from C. brachiata.


Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng. Rubiaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Malayalam Name 'Cattunaregam' means Forest Lemon DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON THE FAMILY: Rubiaceae are an easily recognizable family characterized by opposite leaves that are simple and entire, with interpetiolar stipules, tubular sympetalous corollas and an inferior ovary. COMMON NAMES: Mountain Pomegranate, Spiny Randia, False guava, Thorny Bone-apple, Common emetic nut • Hindi: मैनफल Mainphal • Marathi: घेला Ghela, Khajkanda • Tamil: Madkarai • Malayalam: Kattunaregam, കാട്ടുനാരകം, Kattunaranga, കാട്ടുനാരങ്ങ, Karacchulli കാരെുള്ളി • Telugu: Marrga • Kannada: Kaarekaayi-gida • Oriya: Patova • Sanskrit: Madanah. FOI: Mountain Pomegranate is an armed shrub or small tree. Spines arise from leaf axil and are straight. Branchlets have soft hair on them. Leaves are 4.5-8 x 1.6-3.5 cm obovate, apex obtuse, base cuneate; hairy along nerves and nerve-axils beneath ; petiole 1-2 cm long. Leaves are oppositely arranged on horizontal branches. Flowers solitary or paired at the ends of arrested branchlets; stalks 5 mm long, smooth, often with small intermediate teeth in between. Flowers white, turning pale yellow ; flower-tube 1-1.2 cm long, narrow, petals 5, spreading, 1 cm long. Stamens 5, inserted on corolla tube. Filaments are short, anthers 2-celled. Fruit is 4x3 cm, ovoid, with persistent calyx like a pomegranate; seeds many. Flowering: May. USES: Essential oil obtained from flowers are used in Perfumery. Bark have Astringent, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Abortifacient, Anthelmintic, Antipyretic, Emetic activity. Fruits have Emetic, Nauseant in teething ailments of children, Expectorant, Diaphoretic, Anthelmintic, Abortifacient, Nervine calmative, Antispasmodic, Menorrhagia, Piles Hypoglaecamic and Anticancer activities. Root bark have properties agaisnt Emetic, Diarrhea, Colic, Fever, Phlegmetic swellings. RECENT STUDIES: KD YANG et al 2009 has studied the Chemical constituents of volatile oils from C. spinosa fruits. G Gao et al in 2008 have isolated some Minor compounds from the stem bark of C. spinosa.

23.01.13 69. Chinmoy Paranjape

Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. Leguminosae ETYMOLOGY: From Brazilian Name 'Mucuna' for M. urens. COMMON NAMES: Velvet bean, Cowitch, Cowhage, Kapikachu, Nescafe, Sea bean • Hindi: Kiwach • Marathi: खाज कुइरी Khaj-kuiri • Malayalam, Naicorna നായ്കുരുണ • Telugu: Pilliadugu • Kannada: Nayisonanguballi • Bengali: Akolchi • Tamil: Punaippidukkan FOI: Velvet bean is an annual, climbing shrub with long vines that can reach over 15 m. Leaves are trifoliate, gray-silky beneath; petioles are long and silky, 6-11 cm. Leaflets are membranous, terminal leaflets are smaller, lateral very unequal sided. Dark purple flowers (6 to 30) occur in drooping racemes. Fruits are curved, 4-6 seeded. The longitudinally ribbed pod, is densely covered with loose orange hairs which cause a severe itch if they come in contact with skin. The beans are shiny black or brown. It is found in tropical Africa, India and the Caribbean. MEDICINAL USES: Traditionally, the seeds of M. pruriens have been used for treating male sexual dysfunction in Tibb-e-Unani (Unani Medicine), the traditional system of medicine of Indo-Pakistan Subcontinent. It is also used in Ayurvedic medicine. M. pruriens has been shown to improve sexual function. Velvet bean can be beneficial, since it is high in levodopa which helps maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. The seed powder of M. pruriens has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine for diseases including parkinsonism, and has proven in medical tests to have equal or superior effectiveness in the treatment of parkinsons disease over conventional, synthetic levodopa medications. Another benefit of Mucuna is that it can increase the production of human growth hormone, and extracts are commonly sold as body-building supplements. The hairs lining the seed pods and the small spicules on the leaves contain 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) which cause severe itching (pruritus) when touched. RECENT STUDIES: EVS Motta et al in 2008 has studied the Phytochemical profile and antioxidant potential of methanol extract of M. pruriens leaves. ED EZE in 2012 has studied the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of M. pruriens (fabaceae)(l.) dc on blood glucose levels and lipid profile in alloxan induced. VS Kasture and PP Patil has provided a hplc method for quantitative estimation of l-dopa from M. pruriens in polyherbal aphrodisiac formulation. MAJOR STUDIES: G Hussian, and BV Manyam in 1998 has established that M. pruriens proves more effective than L‐DOPA in Parkinson's disease animal model. R Katzenschlager et al 2004 has established the use of M. pruriens in Parkinson's disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study.

22.01.13 68. Paresh Churi

Nymphoides hydrophylla (Lour.) Kuntze Menyanthaceae (Formerly was in Gentianaceae) ETYMOLOGY: Nymphoides meaning 'Resembling the Genus Nymphaea' DIAGONOSTIC NOTES ON THE FAMILY: Herbs perennial [or annual], aquatic or nearly so. Leaves alternate, rarely opposite, simple or 3foliolate; stipules absent. Flowers (4- or) 5-merous. Calyx lobes free or united. Corolla lobes united, valvate in bud. Stamens 5, free, alternate with petals. Ovary 1-celled. Placentation Parietal. Pollen grains bilaterally compressed, ± triquetrous, with 3 apertures. Ovary superior, 1-celled. Fruit a dehiscent or indehiscent capsule. Seeds few to many, sometimes winged; endosperm abundant. (Readers are encouraged to Contribute in this Section) COMMON NAMES: Crested Floating heart • Hindi: कुमुहदनी Kumudini, Tagarmul • Marathi: कुमुहद. • Malayalam: Cheruthettambel വചറുവതറ്റാമ്പല്, Neythel വനയ്തല് FOI: Crested Floating heart is an aquatic floating herb. Stems 10-30 cm, rooting from nodes. Leaves few per node. The plant is has it signature floating heart-shaped leaves. Flowers small, simple, five-petaled, star shaped. Petals are oblong-round, winged along their length with a crest-like lobe. Stamens five, short, between the interstices of the petals, with apices, whitish, interposed with five rather short staminodes, with which out of the middle of the opening a green globule, cuspidate. This flower has a cousin called USES: The plant is commonly used as a substitute for chiretta in the treatment of fever and jaundice. Stalks and leaves are pounded with oil and applied to ulcers and insect bites; decoction is used as a wash for parasitic skin affection. Seeds are considered anthelmintic . RECENT STUDIES: V Madhavan et al 2012 has studied the Pharmacognostical studies on the root and rhizome of N. hydrophylla. G Mukhopadhyay et al 2008 Compared the Changes in biomass and nutrient content of N. hydrophylla (Lour.) O. Kuntz. in a tropical pond with other tropical and temperate species.


Crateva adansonii DC. Capparaceae ETYMOLOGY: Crataeva: After Crataevus, a Greek botanist and author on several medicinal plants who lived in the time of Hippocrates. Common names: Garlic pear tree, Caper tree, Three-leaf caper, Obtuse Leaf Crateva • Hindi: Barna, Barni बनी, बनाि • Manipuri: হলাইয়ুম্বা লল Loiyumba lei • Tamil: Marvilinga • Bengali: Barun • Sanskrit: वरुण Varuna • Malayalam: Nir mathalam • Kannada: Nirvala • Telugu: Voolemara FOI: 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. RECENT STUDIES: MA Kare and AM Deshmukh in 2012 has reported the ethnomedicinal uses of this plant in Marathwada (MS), India as follows: The bark is reported to be used as astringent, bitter, and treat dyspepsia, colic flattulence, strangury, renal and vesicle, calcali, cough, asthma, bronchitis, pruritus, skin diseases, pectoral diseases, intermittent fevers and inflammations. It promotes appetite and increases biliary secretions. It is demulcent, alterative, tonic, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, antipyretic. Useful in calculus affections and disorders of urinary organs. It is also used in snakebites, it is contraceptive, juice of bark is given to women after childbirth. Powdered bark is useful in urinary and renal troubles, gastro-intestinal and uterine affection. NP Igoli et al 2012 has reported the Antitrypanosomal Activity of C adansonii.


Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek meaning flea control alluding to the property of powdered vegetative parts of some spp in this genus to drive away fleas. COMMON NAMES: Flaxleaf Fleabane, Hairy Fleabane, Ragweed, Rough conyza, Tall fleabane • Mizo: Buar-zen FOI: Flaxleaf Fleabane is an annual herb 20-120 cm tall, gray-hairy. Stems are one to several from base, bristly and long-soft-hairy, leafy. Leaves are 1-9 cm long, alternately arranged, linear to lance shaped or inverted- lance shaped, entire to shallowly lobed, tip blunt to pointed. Flower-heads are borne many in raceme- or panicle-like clusters. Lateral clusters are often overtopping central. Stalks carrying the clusters are generally 1-4 cm long. Fresh involucres are 5-7 mm in diameter, phyllaries 2-6 mm, often purple-tipped, densely soft-hairy, whitish or dull brown inside when dry and reflexed. Pistillate flowers are very many, 3-4 mm, white, pink, or cream, narrowly cylindric. Disk flowers are 10-20, 3.5-4 mm, greenish yellow, petals short-triangular. Fruit is an achene, 1.5 mm, elliptic, compressed, bristly, pappus 3-4 mm. Flaxleaf Fleabane is generally found in disturbed and urban sites. Flowering: March-April. RECENT STUDIES: OM Yamashita et al 2012 has studied the Emergency of Conyza species influenced by the presence of vegetal residues. M Omar 2012 has analysed the Partial replacement of barley grain and soybean meal by fleabane (C. bonariensis) in diets of growing Awassi lambs. H Wu et al 2012 provided the methods for the Management of flaxleaf fleabane (C. bonariensis) in lucerne pastures MAJOR STUDIES: AH Prieur‐Richard et al 2012 studied the Plant community diversity and invasibility by exotics: invasion of Mediterranean old fields by C. bonariensis and C. canadensis. JM Urbano in 2009 has reported the weedicide, Glyphosate-resistant hairy fleabane (C. bonariensis) in Spain.

19.01.13 65. Sanjeev Lale

Abelmoschus moschatus Medik. Malvaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Arabic word meaning source of the musk (abl - musk) COMMON NAMES: Musk Mallow, Musk okra, Ambrette, ornamental okra, annual hibiscus, yorka okra, galu gasturi, bamia moschata, Muskdana, Ornamental okra • Hindi: मुश्कदाना Mushkdana, कततूरीदाना Kasturi-dana, जिंगली शभिंडी Jangli bhindi • Manipuri:

Bawrthsaisbe suak, Uichhuhlo • Marathi: कततरू ी भॆडिं ी Kasthooribhendi, मत ु कादाना Muskadaana • Tamil: kasturi-vendaik-kay-virai, kaattu kasturi • Malayalam: kasturi-venda കസ്തൂരിവവണ്ട, kattu-kasthuri കാട്ടുകസ്തൂരി• Telugu: kasturi-benda-vittulu, karpoorabenda • Kannada: kasturi bende, kaadu kastoori • Bengali: kalkasturi, latakasturi, mushakdan • Urdu: Mushkdana • Assamese: gorokhiakarai • Sanskrit: लताकततूररका Latakasturika. FOI: Musk Mallow is a soft, herbaceous trailing plant to 2 m in length, with soft hairy stems. It has an underground tuber and dies back to this tuber in the dry season, emerging again with the first substantial rains of the wet season. Leaves are extremely variable in shape and size, in outline mostly circular to transversally elliptic, at base usually heart-shaped, angular, or 3-7-palmately lobed. Upper leaves are usually narrower and often arrow-shaped, coarsely toothed, rarely entire, at base 5-9-nerved. Flowers occur singly in leaf axils. Sepal cup is velvety outside. Petals are obovate, rounded at the tip, fleshy at the base and fringed by simple hairs. Stamen column is mostly yellow, at base dark purple, hairless. It is a relative of the edible okra and tubers and foliage formed a source of food for aborigines. MEDICINAL USES: Musk Mallow is used as an antidote for snakebites. An emulsion from the seeds is considered to be anti-spasmodic and is used externally. Extensively used as an insecticide and a aphrodisiac. The oil of the seeds, with a strong musk odor, are also used in the perfume industry (now largely replaced by synthetic musk oils) and is used to flavor coffee. RECENT STUDIES: R Li, C Wang et al 2012 has studied the Quantitative proteomic analysis of cold-responsive proteins in A. moschatus. DK Priyanka and DK Animesh 2012 has studeid the INDUCED MUTAGENESIS IN A. MOSCHATUS (L.) MEDIK MAJOR STUDIES: IM Liu et al 2010 studeid the suitability of this plant for medical or food uses to improve insulin sensitivity. IM Liu et al 2007 has proved the Improvement of insulin sensitivity in obese Zucker rats by myricetin extracted from A. moschatus. IM Liu et al 2005 has proved as the Myricetin as active principle of A. moschatus to lower plasma glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.


Mackenziea integrifolia (Dalzell) Bremek. Acanthaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named for the MacKenzie River the largest and longest river system in Canada COMMON NAME: Wayati FOI: Wayti is a perennial branched shrub, about 1 m tall, endemic to Sahyadri hills. Oppositely arranged elliptic, lance-like leaves are 10-20 cm long. Leaves have a tapering tip and the base tapers into the wings of the leaf stalk. Flowers occur in spikes 5-12 cm long, in leaf axils or at the end of branches. The flower spikes have a strong smell. Flowers are blue, funnel shaped, 3-4 cm, with 5 rounded lobes of the tube. It flowers once in seven years. Flowering: October-January.


Phallus indusiatus KINGDOM: Fungi FAMILY: Phallaceae ETYMOLOGY: Phallus means a penis-shaped object, or a mimetic image of an erect penis. Any object that symbolically resembles a penis may also be referred to as a phallus; alluding to the similarity of this fungi fructifications COMMON NAMES: Bamboo fungus, Bamboo pith, Long net stinkhorn, Crinoline stinkhorn or Veiled lady. DESCRIPTION: Immature fruit bodies of P. indusiatus are initially enclosed in an egg-shaped to roughly spherical subterranean structure encased in a peridium. The "egg" ranges in color from whitish to buff to reddish-brown, measures up to 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter, and usually has a thick mycelial cord attached at the bottom.[16] As the mushroom matures, the pressure caused by the enlargement of the internal structures cause the peridium to tear and the fruit body rapidly emerges from the "egg". The mature mushroom is up to 25 cm (9.8 in) tall and girded with a net-like structure called the indusium (or less technically a "skirt") that hangs down from the conical to bell-shaped cap. The netlike openings of the indusium may be polygonal or round in shape. Well-developed specimens have an indusium that reaches to the volva and flares out somewhat before collapsing on the stalk. The cap is 1.5–4 cm (0.6–1.6 in) wide and its reticulated (pitted and ridged) surface is covered with a layer of greenish-brown and foul-smelling slime, the gleba, which initially partially obscures the reticulations. The top of the cap has a small hole. The stalk is 7–25 cm (2.8–9.8 in) long, and 1.5–3 cm (0.6–1.2 in) thick. The hollow stalk is white, roughly equal in width throughout its length, sometimes curved, and spongy. The ruptured peridium remains as a loose volva at the base of the stalk.Fruit bodies develop during the night, and require 10–15 hours to fully develop after emerging from the peridium. They are short-lived, typically lasting no more than a few days. At that point the slime has usually been removed by insects, leaving the pale off-white, bare cap surface exposed. Spores of P. indusiatus are thin-walled, smooth, elliptical or slightly curved, hyaline (translucent), and measure 2–3 by 1–1.5 μm. USES: An edible mushroom featured as an ingredient in Chinese haute cuisine, it is used in stir-frys and chicken soups. The mushroom, grown commercially and commonly sold in Asian markets, is rich in protein, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber. The mushroom also contains various bioactive compounds, and has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. P indusiatus has a recorded history of use in Chinese medicine extending back to the 7th century AD, and features in Nigerian folklore. RECENT STUDIES: JY Ijato 2011 has studied the proximate analysis and lower fungi interaction with post harvest storage of P. indusiatus.


Hibiscus schizopetalus (Dyer) Hook.f. Malvaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Latin of Marsh Mallow "Hibiscum" or from Greek of Marsh Mallow "Ibiskos" COMMON NAMES: Fringed rosemallow, pagoda flower, Japanese Hibiscus, Japanese Lanterns, Juba kusum (Manipuri). Malayalam: Nool Chembarathi നൂല്വചമ്പരത്തി. FOI: Japanese Hibiscus is a shrub that will reach about 6 to 8 feet with a spread of 5 to 6 feet. It is a very fast grower and needs to be pruned often. highly decorative hanging red flowers, 3-4" in diameter, that have graceful lace-like petals that turn upwards and a long style that hangs down. Most usually these plants are sold as hanging basket plants and are treated as annuals. H. schizopetalus is native to tropical east Africa. H. schizopetalus need part shade and intermediate to warm temperatures. In the greenhouse, we grow ours under 52% shade all year long. We use a soil mix consisting of 2 parts peat moss to 2 parts loam to 1 part sand or perlite. The plant cannot stand much drought and should be kept moist at all times. USES: Commonly grown as an ornamental plant. RECENT STUDIES: SK Wong et al in 2010 has Evaluated the antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase and antibacterial activities of selected Hibiscus species including H. schizopetalus. SK Wong et al 2009 has studied the Antioxidant properties of Hibiscus: Species variation, altitudinal change, coastal influence and floral colour change on H. schizopetalus. EA Jose and KK Vijayan 2006 has studied New taraxerane esters from H. schizopetalus leaves MAJOR STUDIES: M Cheek 1989: Lectotypification and authorship of H. schizopetalus (Malvaceae). ME Bakker and AF Gerritsen 1992 The development of mucilage cells in H. schizopetalus.


Lophopetalum wightianum Arn. Celastraceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek "Lophos" means a Crest and "Petalum" means petal. Alluding to the Crested petals of the Genus. DESCRIPTION: Large trees, up to 40 m tall. Bark smooth, yellowish white, bright yellow when scrap; blaze reddish. Branchlets terete, glabrous. Leaves simple, usually opposite, sometimes alternate; petiole 0.8-2.5 cm long, terete; lamina 8-26 x 4-10 cm, elliptic-oblong, apex acute to acuminate, base rounded, margin entire, chartaceous or subcoriaceous; secondary_nerves 6-13 pairs; tertiary_nerves horizontally reticulo-percurrent. Inflorescence panicles; flower petals dull red, disk bright red. Capsule, 3-4 angled, elongated; seeds many, white, papery winged. FPK-KFRI: Evergreen trees, to 30 m high, bole buttressed; bark yellowish-brown, mottled with white, smooth, brittle; blaze fleshcoloured; branchlets terete, brown. Leaves simple, opposite or subopposite, estipulate; petiole 10-25 mm long, stout, grooved above, glabrous; lamina 7.5-25 x 3.7-10 cm, elliptic, elliptic-oblong, oblong, ovate or ovate-oblong, base obtuse or round, apex obtuse or acute, margin entire, coriaceous, glabrous; lateral nerves 6-12 pairs, pinnate, arched towards the margin, prominent, intercostae reticulate, slender, prominent. Flowers bisexual, 15-18 mm across, pinkish to dull red, in lax axillary or terminal dichasial cyme; calyx broadly flattened at base, 0.5-0.6 cm across; lobes 5, broad, obtuse, very short; petals 5, 0.5-0.6 cm long, continuous with the disc, orbicular, uneven, clawed, crispate above, persistent, spreading; disc large, flat, 5 lobed; stamens 5, inserted on the disc; filaments subulate; anthers oblong; ovary small, immersed in the disc and continuous with it, triquetrous, 3-celled, ovules 4 or more in each cell; style short, stigma capitate. Fruit a capsule 8-10 x 2.5-3.5 cm, 3-angled, trigonous, 3 valved, brown, smooth, pointed at both ends, loculicidal; seeds thin, surrounded by long linear wing, 5 x 1.2 cm, brown, compressed, arillate. USES: The timber is used as perupuk. IMPORTANT STUDIES: A Sinha and P Davidar in 1992 has studied the Seed dispersal ecology of this plant in Western Ghats, India.

14.01.13 60. Milind's Shutterbug

Memecylon umbellatum Burm. f. Melastomataceae Etymology: From the Greek memecylon; name used by Dioscorides and by Pliny, for the fruit of the strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo. Common names: Delek air tree, Ironwood tree • Hindi: Anjan अिंजन, Kaya • Marathi: Anjan • Telugu: Mandi, Lakhonde • Malayalam: Kanjavu • Oriya: Neymaru FOI: A large shrub or small tree, up to 8-14m tall with amazing bright blue flowers that look almost unreal. Delek air produces showy clusters of tiny purple flowers, about 1cm each. The trees bloom once or twice a year, and are then indeed a beautiful sight. As the flower petals are shed, the sand and rocks below are dusted in mauve. The fruits are small (about 1cm) and are green, turning red then black as they ripen. The tree has a thin bark, so it is sometimes also called 'Nipis kulit' or 'thin-skinned' in Malay. Delek air belongs to the same family as the more familiar Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum) This tree is not only beautiful, but also useful. It provides hard timber used for building houses and boats. A yellow dye can be extracted from the leaves and the bark is used to treat bruises Medicinal uses: The leaves are used in the treatment of gonorrhea, or when mixed with several other ingredients, they make good fomentations for external use. Recent Studies: T Kumar et al 2012 has analysed the In vitro antioxidant activity, total phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid content of folkloric Memecylon umbellatum burm. A Panneerselvam et al 2012 has conducted the Pharmacological studies on Memecylon umbellatum Burm. F.(Melastomataceae).SG Killeda et al 2012 has analysed the antimicrobial and phytochemical screening of different leaf extracts of M. umbellatum burm. SG Killedar, et al 2011 has conducted Screening of Antimicrobial Potential and Phytoconsituents for Different Extracts of M umbellatum Burm Inflorescences.


Baccaurea courtallensis (Wight) Müll.Arg. Euphorbiaceae Etymology: From Latin “Bacca” means Berry and “Aurea” means Golden, alluding to the golden yellow color of the berries Local name : Mootippuli, Mootti Info. : Biotik Ecology : Understorey trees in low and medium elevation evergreen forests up to 1000 m. Distribution : Endemic to the Western_Ghats- South Sahyadri and Central Sahyadri (up to Coorg Region) Habit : Trees up to 10 m tall. Trunk & Bark : Bark grey usually smooth or scaly; blaze light orange.Branches and Branchlets : Branchlets terete, glabrous. Leaves : Leaves simple, alternate, clustered at twig ends; stipules ovate, acute, hairy, caducous; petiole 1.2-3.8 cm long, swollen at both ends, terete, puberulous when young; lamina 7.5-17.8 x 3-7.6 cm, oblanceolate, apex bluntly caudate-acuminate, base cuneate, chartaceous, glabrous, midrib slightly raised above; secondary_nerves 4-8, ascending ; tertiary_nerves slender, distantly percurrent. Inflorescence / Flower : Inflorescence cauliflory; flowers unisexual, dioecious; male inflorescence in clustered racemes on short tubercles all over the trunk, red; female inflorescence in clustered racemes, mostly confined to base of the trunk. Fruit and Seed : Capsule, crimson, globose, beaked, 1.5-2.5 cm across, ribbed, pubescent when young; seeds broad compressed with fleshy aril. Flowering: February – March Fruiting: June - July Uses: Fruits are edible, acrid in taste and edible and contain 2–4 seeds. The native residents harvest the fruits for their medicinal value and for pickling. The seed weight is 0.28 g or 1.0 kg contains 3,500 seeds with a seed coat. The fruit to seed weight ratio is 34:1. Virtually, no work on the chemistry of the seeds or fruit of the species has been reported. Seeds of the species contain 22.5% oil on a dry kernel weight basis. Analysis of the composition of the oil revealed two major fatty acids palmitic acid (42.59%) and oleic acid (36.15%). Stearic acid content was 16.20% and myristic acid was 4.28% of the oil. Two minor acids present were lauric acid (0.40%) and linoleic acid (0.38%) and also including traces of linolenic acid. Physico-chemical properties of the oil showed an acid value of 1.402, a saponification value of 166.89, a refractive index of 0.4239, a specific gravity of −0.938, and an optical rotation of α at 29 °C + 0.35° (λ = 589 nm). Recent Studies: RU Abhishek et al 2011 conducted the Phytochemical analysis and antibacterial efficacy of fruit rind of B. courtallensis Muell. Arg. S Mohan 2009 analysed the Fatty acid composition of B. courtallensis Muell. Arg seed oil: An endemic species of western Ghats, India


Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Deflers Rubiaceae Common name : Star cluster Etymology : Name is derived from Greek "pente" (a series of five), referring to the flowers with 5 petals,The specific epithet name lanceolata means lanced leaves. FOI : Dark green, lance-shaped, somewhat furry and deeply veined leaves provide a lush backdrop for prolific clusters of never-ending, five-petaled flowers. These may be red, white, lavender, purple, or shades of pink. Some are two-toned. All are extremely attractive to butterflies, and the red and dark pink varieties delight hummingbirds. Depending on the variety, the habit of growth may be upright to about 3', or low and mounding. Full sized pentas are often sprawling, as tall stems will topple over. The flowers are held in terminal clusters and self-deadhead. In warm weather the plant grows fast and stays in bloom constantly. Where winters are not too severe, pentas are perennial. They may always be treated as an annual and replanted after danger of frost for long-lasting summer color. Africa is probably the original home of pentas. WEB : Twinkle, twinkle little star, native to Africa and Arabia you are. With blooms of red, pink, violet and white, you lounge in a pot drinking up the sunlight. These rising stars of the plant world are used for everything from potted posies to window boxes to garden borders. Their petite, star-shaped flowers and lustrous, dark green foliage are utterly irresistible to man and creature alike, and are often inundated by adoring butterflies and hummingbirds. When displayed in a sunny spot and watered moderately, the star-cluster can thrive for a month or more. Grows well in containers. Uses : The shrub becomes covered in showy round flower heads formed by clusters of small flowers with five-petalled, starry faces which last well when cut for the vase. Plant at the front of a shrub border where its bright flowers are backed by green foliage. It can also be used very effectively among perennials and annuals, and makes an excellent rockery plant. Recent Studies: BS Nayak et al 2005 had conducted the Experimental evaluation of P. lanceolata flowers for wound healing activity in rats. J Schripsema and GP Caprini had studied the Iridoids from P. lanceolata.


Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. Bignoniaceae Etymology: The genus name comes from the Mozambican Bantu name of the plant kigeli-keia, while the common name Sausage Tree refers to the long, sausage-like fruit. Its name in Afrikaans Worsboom also means Sausage Tree, and its Arabic name means "the father of kit bags" Common Names :Sausage-tree, Kannada :aanethoradu kaayi, mara sowthae, Telugu :enuga thondamu, jijiliyaarnattu, kijili, naagamalle Description: The blood-red flowers of the sausage tree bloom at night on long, ropelike stalks that hang down from the limbs of this tropical tree. The fragrant, nectar-rich blossoms are pollinated by bats, insects and sunbirds in their native habitat. The mature fruits dangle from the long stalks like giant sausages. They may be up to two feet long and weigh up to 6.8 kg. The flowers are seen hanging from the tree while they haven't opened. After they open, they fall off quite soon. The fruit, while not palatable for humans, is popular with hippos, baboons, and giraffes. Mainly grown as a curiosity and ornamental, both for its beautiful deep red flowers and its strange fruit. Medicinal uses: There are also a range of traditional uses for the fruit, varying from topical treatments for skin afflictions, to treatment for intestinal worms. There are some steroid chemicals found in the sausage tree that are currently added to commercially available shampoos and facial creams. Recent Studies: S ZADE 2013 has conducted the preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro anthelmintic activity of K africana (bignoniaceae). FO Oyedeji et al 2012 has analysed the Quantitative evaluation of the antipsoriatic activity of sausage tree (K. africana). KO Eyong et al 2012 has analysed the Neurological activities of lapachol and its furano derivatives from K. africana. CK Kitonde et al 2012 has studied the Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical screening of three selected medicinal plants used to treat bacterial and fungal infections in Kenya one of which is K africana

10.01.13 56. Poornima Kannan

Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn Malvaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Spanish Word Ceiba meaning Giant Tree COMMON NAMES: Kapok, True/ Singapore Kapok, Hattian, Safed Semal or Katan, Ceiba, White Silk-Cotton Tree • Bengali: schwetsimul • Gujarati: સફેદ શીમળો safed shimlo • Hindi: िफेद िावरा safed savara, िफेद िेमुल safed semul,

ाल्मशल shalmali • Malayalam:

പഞ്ഞിമരം panjimaram, ശീമപ്ൂള siimappuula • Marathi: िफेत िावरा safeta savara • Sanskrit: श्वेत

ालमली shweta

shalmali • Tamil: பஞ்சித்தணக்கு panji tannaku, ல்மலி shalmali • Telugu: తెలే బూరుగ tella; FOI: Kapok tree is an emergent tree of the tropical rainforests, and is often described as majestic. It can grow to a height of 150 feet or more, towering over other trees in the rainforest. Originally a native to South America it now has spread to the primary rainforests of West Africa, and the Southeast Asia. The straight trunks are cylindrical, smooth and gray in color, and can reach a diameter of 9 feet. The wood is a pinkish white to ashy brown in color, with a straight grain. The branches grow in horizontal tiers, and spread widely. The crown has an open umbrella shape. Many plants and animals grow and live in the branches of the kapok tree. Birds nest in it, and mammals use the huge branches as highways. Frogs breed in the pools of water that collect in the bromeliads. The leaves are palmate and compound. The 5-9 leaflets are 7-8 cm long and 1-3.5 cm wide. Flowers usually open before the leaves appear, and are clustered on small, new branches. The 5 petals of a flower are about 2.5 cm long and are a creamy white or pale pink in color. Their odor is unpleasan, but is probably meant to attract the bats that pollinate them. The brown seeds are round like peas and are found in pods. USES: The fiber is light, very buoyant, resilient and resistant to water. The process of harvesting and separating the fibre is laborintensive and manual. It is difficult to spin but is used as an alternative to down as filling in mattresses, pillows, upholstery, zafus, and stuffed toys such as teddy bears, and for insulation. It was previously much used in life jackets and similar devices until synthetic materials largely replaced the fibre. The seeds produce an oil used locally in soap and that can be used as fertilizer. Ceiba pentandra bark decoction has been used as a diuretic, aphrodisiac, and to treat headache, as well as type II diabetes. It is used as an additive to some versions of the hallucinogenic drink Ayahuasca. Its oil has some potential as a biofuel and in paint preparation. RECENT STUDIES: CA Anosike et al 2012 has conducted Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of the petroleum ether, methanol and ethanol extracts of C. pentandra stem bark. FTD Bothon et al 2012 has analysed the α-Glucosidase inhibition, antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities of semi-ethanolic extracts of Bridellia ferruginea benth. and C. pentandra L. N Norazahar et al in 2012 has conducted the studeis on Parametric Optimization of C. Pentandra Oil Methyl Ester Production using Taguchi Approach. E Fuchs in 2012 has analysed the Individual and Temporal Variation in Outcrossing Rates and Pollen Flow Patterns in C. pentandra. MAJOR STUDIES: R Gribel et al 1999: Flowering phenology and pollination biology of Ceiba pentandra(Bombacaceae) in Central Amazonia. O Ladeji et al 2003: Hypoglycemic properties of aqueous bark extract of C. pentandra in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.


Catalpa ovata G.Don Bignoniaceae ETYMOLOGY: The name derives from the Catawba Native American name "catawba" for these trees (the tribal totem), with the spelling catalpa being due to a transcription error on the part of the describing botanist (Scopoli) making the first formal scientific description of the genus. COMMON NAMES: Chinese Catalpa, Yellow Catalpa FOI: Chinese Catalpa is a pod-bearing tree native to China. It is a small tree, typically reaching heights of 20-30 ft. The inflorescences form 4—10 inch-long bunches of creamy white flowers with distinctly yellow marking. Individual flowers are about 1 inch wide. Leaves are ovate, sometimes having three lobes - two are abruptly ending on either edge, with a third, central, slightly acute, pointed lobe forming the leaf tip. Fruits are very narrow, foot-long pods. Chinese Catalpa is native to China, cultivated in Kashmir. Flowering: MayJuly. DESCRIPTION FROM WIKI: Mostly deciduous trees, they typically grow to 12–18 metres (39–59 ft) tall and 6–12 metres (20–39 ft) wide. A 10-year-old sapling will stand about 6 metres (20 ft) tall. They can be recognized by their large, heart-shaped to three-lobed leaves, showy white or yellow flowers in broad panicles, and in the autumn by their 20–50 centimetres (7.9–20 in) long fruits, which resemble a slender bean pod, containing numerous small flat seeds, each seed having two thin wings to aid in wind dispersal. Due to their large leaf size, catalpas provide very dark shade and are a popular habitat for many birds, providing them good shelter from rain and wind. These trees have very little limb droppage, but drop large, dark brown bean pods during late summer. The wood of catalpas is quite soft. RECENT STUDIES: G Yang et al 2012 has studied the Effects of its Stem Bark on Atopic Dermatitis-like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice. YANGHW Li-Jun et al 2012 has conducted the Anatomical Study on the Primary Vascular System of Seedling of C. ovata. P LI et al 2011 has evaluated the Effect of Different Collecting Times on Seed Quality of C. ovata. BM Park et al 2010 has studied the Naphthoquinones from C. ovata and their inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide. CH Oh et al 2010 has studied the Effects of isolated compounds from C. ovata on the T cell-mediated immune responses and proliferation of leukemic cells. Major Studies: K Lisowska et al 2000: In vitro propagation of C. ovata G. Don. A Fujiwara et al 1998: Antitumor-promoting naphthoquinones from C. ovata. H Oh et al 2002: Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthesis by catalposide from C. ovata.

08.01.13 54: Arun Kumar

Magnolia grandiflora L. Magnoliaceae ETYMOLOGY: Named after Pierre Magnol (1638-1715) a French botanist who contributed the the concept of plant families and also provided a natural classification, based on combinations of morphological characters, as set out in his "Prodromus historiae generalis plantarum, in quo familiae plantarum per tabulas disponuntur" 1689). COMMON NAMES: Magnolia, Southern magnolia • Hindi: हहम िम्पा Him champa • Manipuri: ঊথম্বাল Oothamba• FOI: Magnolia, a native of the southeastern US, is one of the most magnificent of the fragrant trees. It's trunk is typically straight and erect with spreading branches that form a dense, broadly pyramidal crown. It has large, thick, leathery dark green leaves which are up to 10 inches long. In the spring, they have a golden to rust color on their undersides. The large evergreen trees may grow to 90 ft tall, and the fragrant white blossoms that have smooth, almost velvet-looking petals, are 8-12 inches across. The snow white flowers are huge, and cup-shaped when young. The fruits are reddish-brown cone like structures, 2-4 in long, with bright red kidney shaped seeds that hang from little threads when fully mature in autumn. In the US, the magnolia is used as a street tree, a free standing specimen, a framing tree, or shade tree. In most parts of India, magnolias are grown only in select well-maintained gardens. In Manipur, magnolias are commonly grown - the Manipuri name ootahmbal means "tree lotus" - flowers are used as offering in puja. USES: It is a very popular ornamental tree and contains phenolic constituents shown to possess significant antimicrobial activity. Magnolol, honokiol and 3,5′-diallyl-2′-hydroxy-4-methoxybiphenyl exhibited significant activity against Gram-positive and acid-fast bacteria and fungi RECENT STUDIES: LUO Man 2012 has studied the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil from M. grandiflora L. Seed. MA Farag et al in 2012 has conducted a Comparative study of the chemical composition and biological activities of M. grandiflora and M. virginiana flower essential oils. HC Huang 2012 has exhibited the Inhibition of melanogenesis and antioxidant properties of M. grandiflora L. flower extract. OTHER SIGNIFICANT STUDIES: AM Clark 1981: Antimicrobial activity of phenolic constituents of M. grandiflora L., BE Bastidas et al 1998: Anticonvulsant effects of M. grandiflora L. in the rat. RM Wiedhopf et al, 1973: Tumor inhibitory agent from M. grandiflora (magnoliaceae) I: Parthenolide.

07.01.13 53: Bhagyashri Ranade

Ipomoea quamoclit L. Convolvulaceae ETYMOLOGY: The generic name Ipomoea is derived from the Greek ‘ips’ means worm and ‘homoios’ means, similar to ie ‘worm-like’ in reference to the twining habit. COMMON NAMES: Cardinal climber, Cypress vine , Cupid’s Flower, Cypressvine, Morning-glory, Red jasmine, Star of Bethlehem, Starglory, Sweet-willy, Hummingbird Vine • Hindi: कामलता Kamlata • Manipuri: কামলতা Kamlata • Bengali: কুাংজ লতা Kunja lota • Marathi: पवश्णु क्रान्द्ती Vishnukranti • Tamil: Mayilmannikkam, Kembumalligai • Malayalam: Akasha-mulla, ആകാശമുല്ല. FOI: Cypress Vine, with its tiny red flowers and delicate fern-like leaves, is a marvelous thing to have on a fence. Belonging to the same genus as the morning glory, the dainty red flowers bloom in the morning. The leaves are 3-4 in long and feather-like, finely divided pinnately into threadlike segments. The scarlet red (rarely white) flowers are tubular, about 1.5 in long, and flare out at the mouth into a five-pointed star. It is a hummingbird favorite. This annual plant produces hundreds of flowers--and thousands of seeds--usually insuring its presence from year to year. Particularly in warm locations, Cypress Vine can become invasive. However, as an annual it can be controlled if unwanted plants are removed before they set seed. USES: It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant throughout the tropics, and also outside of tropical regions, where it is grown as an annual plant only, not surviving temperate zone winters. For centuries I. quamoclit has been used as an overall body tonic. It also has been used to promote healthy functioning of the heart. It is an anodyne (analgesic) and is cyanogenetic (contains natural cyanide). It also mentions that it can be used as a detergent, purgative, sternutatory (causes sneezing). It does not however mention anything regarding LSA and also mentioned that the root is used in the treatment of piles. RECENT STUDIES: NM Correia et al in 2013 Sulfentrazone efficiency on I. hederifolia and I. quamoclit as influenced by rain and sugarcane straw. C Lowell in 1990 has studied the Vegetative anatomy and morphology of it.

06.01.13 52: Vinaya Raj V R

Pterocarpus dalbergioides DC Leguminosae ETYMOLOGY: from Greek 'Ptero' Means Wing and 'Carp' Means Fruit alluding to the winged fruits of the Genus. COMMON NAMES: Andaman Padauk, Andaman Redwood, East Indian Mahogany, East Indian-Mahogany, Padok Details: This species is a native of the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean. A medium-sized to large semi-deciduous or nearly evergreen tree with ascending branches, often a straight bole and buttresses reaching a height of 25-40 m. The girth may reach 6 m. Andaman padauk is endemic to the Andaman islands but is also native to India.. USES: The timber is used for light to heavy construction, joists, rafters, beams and interior finish. It is also used for fine furniture, panelling, musical instruments, high-grade cabinet work, interior joinery, billiard tables, decorative flooring, agricultural implements, veneer, etc. It withstand weathering, wearing and insect attacks and is used for bridges, piles, posts, railway sleepers and mine timber. The bark has medicinal properties and can be extracted for tannin. The flowers and very young leaves can be eaten. RECENT STUDIES: 2006: GS Viswanadha et al, Phytochemical examination of P. dalbergioides heart wood. 2004: YLN Murthy et al Antidiabetic activity of heartwood extract of P. dalbergioides.

05.01.13 51: Rajesh Sachdev

Erysimum hieraciifolium L. f. Brassicaceae ETYMOLOGY: Derives from the Greek word “eryomai” meaning "to help or save," and refers to the reputed medicinal qualities of some members of the genus. COMMON NAMES: European Wallflower, Siberian wallflower, tall wormseed mustard • Nepali: बन िािंिरु Ban Chansur FOI: European Wallflower is a biennial to perennial herb, 1-3 ft tall, erect, hairy. Stem is often simple, somewhat angular, rarely branched. Basal leaves are in a rosette rosulate, very variable, elliptic-oblong to inverted-lance shaped, stalked, 4-6 cm long, 3-10 mm broad, sparsely toothed to nearly entire. Stem leaves are similar to basal leaves or linear, stalk less, or nearly so. Flowers are borne in 20-60-flowered racemes, up to 40 cm long in fruit. Flowers are about 1 cm across, yellow. A related species Himalayan Wallflower has larger flowers. Flower-stalks are 6-10 mm long, ascending. Sepals are 5-6 mm long. Petals 8-10 mm long, 3-3.5 mm broad, long-clawed. Stamens are 5-7 mm long, anthers about 2 mm long. Seed-pods are linear-round, erect, 3-6 cm long, 1.5 mm broad, appressedly hairy; valves with a distinct mid-rib; style 0.5-1.5 mm long with capitate, bilobed stigma. Flowering: May-July

04.01.13 50: Gurcharan Singh

Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel. Ebenaceae ETYMOLOGY: The generic name Diospyros comes from the ancient Greek words "Dios" (διός) means God and "pyros" (πυρος) means fruit. In context this means more or less "divine fruit" or "divine food", though its literal meaning is more like "Wheat of Zeus". COMMON NAMES: Gaub, Indian persimmon • Hindi: गाब Gaab • Tamil: தும்பிைா Tumbika • Marathi: Temburi • Malayalam: Panancca • Telugu: Bandadamara • Kannada: Holitupare FOI: Gab is an evergreen tree with a spreading crown. It can grow up to 37 m tall, with a trunk girth of 2 m. The bark is black, smooth, and the inner bark turns bluish on exposure to sunlight. Leaves are oblong and glossy. The male flowers are formed in 3-5 flowered cymes in leaf axils. Female flowers are solitary, 4-parted, with 4 styles, and an 8-celled ovary. Fruits are round, up to 3.5 cm in diameter, and seated on a persistent sepal structure. The fruit is green, tinted red. MEDICINAL USES: Gab is the Tinduka of Sanskrit writers; its bark is described in the Nighantas as a good application to boils and tumours, and the juice of the fresh bark as useful in bilious fever. The fruit when unripe is said to be cold. light, and astringent, and when ripe beneficial in blood diseases, gonorrhoea and leprosy. RECENT STUDIES: 2005: SK Mondal et al - In vitro antioxidant activity of D malabarica Kostel bark. KM Mondal - Effect of methanol extract of D malabarica bark on chemically induced acute inflammation. 2007: V Singh et al Antidiarrhoeal Activity of D. Malabarica Stem Bark Extract.


Mirabilis jalapa L. Nyctaginaceae ETYMOLOGY: The latin word 'Mirabilis' Means wonderful, miraculous or admirable alluding to the beautiful flowers. COMMON NAMES: Four O'clock, Beauty-of-the-night, Marvel of Peru • Hindi: गुल अब्बाि Gul abbas, Gulbakshi • Manipuri: মুকাক লল Mukak lei • Marathi: गुलबि Gulabas or गुलबाि Gulabaas, िायिंकाळें saayankaale • Tamil: Pattarashu, அந்தி மந்தாகை Andhi Mandarai • Malayalam: Anthimalari, Anti-mantaram, naalu mani poovu • Telugu: Chandramalli • Kannada: Gulamaji, Naalku ghante

hoo • Bengali: সাংিযা মালতী Sandhya malati • Oriya: Rangini • Konkani: आका मुरी Akashmuri, Meremdi • Sanskrit: Krishnakeli FOI: Four o'clock flowers are trumpet shaped, about an inch across at the end and about two inches long. They open in the evening and wilt the next morning. Four o'clocks are leafy, shrub like, multi-branched perennials which bloom throughout summer. The plants are erect and spreading, 2-3 ft tall and just as wide. They have numerous branches and opposite, pointed leaves 2-4 in long. The fragrant flowers are borne singly or in clusters, and can be red, magenta, pink, yellow or white, sometimes with more than one color on the same plant. Like Petunia, bicolored flowers can also be grown. The plants continue to produce new flowers from late spring untill fall. Four o'clocks have large, black carrot shaped tubers that can be a foot or more long. In warm regions, the roots can weigh up to 18 kg or more. USES: The flowers are used in food colouring. The leaves may be eaten cooked as well, but only as an emergency food. An edible crimson dye is obtained from the flowers to colour cakes and jellies. In herbal medicine, parts of the plant may be used as a diuretic, purgative, and for vulnerary (wound healing) purposes. The root is believed an aphrodisiac as well as diuretic and purgative. It is used in the treatment of dropsy. The leaves are used to reduce inflammation. A decoction of them (mashing and boiling) is used to treat abscesses. Leaf juice may be used to treat wounds. Powdered, the seed of some varieties is used as a cosmetic and a dye. The seeds are considered poisonous. RECENT STUDIES: J Gogoi et al in 2012 has studied the Antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activities of crude extract and fractions from the tuberous root of M. jalapa L. M Sundaram and B Baraneedharan in 2012 has studied the Antioxidant Potency and In Vitro Antibacterial Efficacy of M. jalapa on Enteric Pathogens.GS Chakraborthy et al in 2012 has established the Antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activity of hydroalcoholic extract of M. jalapa and M. japonica. SM Zachariah et al in 2012 has Evaluated the antioxidant and total flavanoid content of mirabilis jalapa linn using in vitro models.

02.01.13 48: Chinmoy Paranjape

Clitoria ternatea L. Papilionaceae ETYMOLOGY: The genus name, Clitoria, was derived from the Latin word, clitoris, that was coined from the ancient Greek word kleitoris, meaning little hill. Thus named as the Clitoria flowers somewhat resemble the clitoris, the female sexual organ. Source: COMMON NAMES: Butterfly Pea • Hindi: अपरास्जता Aparajita • Manipuri: অপরাধজতা Aparajita • Tamil: சங்கு ைன்னிக்சைாடி Kannikkodi • Malayalam: ശംഖ് പുഷ്പം Sangu pushpam • Marathi: Shankha Pushpa

िंख पष्ु प • Konkani: Shankha Pushpa

ख िं

पुष्प FOI: This wonderful twining plant generously bears quite large flowers (about 2" across) which are a beautiful shade of vivid cobalt blue with a white throat. The flowers are presented upside down - the "keel" petal appears on the top rather than the underside. A native of subtropical America and Asia, the butterfly pea is beautiful. A vine that can climb to 9 feet in a hot summer. The flowers are produced in late summer, deep blue with a yellow to white pattern in the center of the lower petal. A member of the pea family, elongated peas are produced and seeds can be collected for sowing the following year. The botanical name comes from the resemblance to intimate parts of the human anatomy. USES: C. ternatea is used as a brain tonic to promote memory and intelligence. The plant extract is used in a rejuvenating recipe to treat neurological disorders and is considered to be wholesome for the intellect . Tribes use the root to induce abortion and to reduce abdominal swellings, sore throats and mucous disorders. The juice of the root is mixed with cold milk and is drunk to remove phlegm and for chronic bronchitis. The roots are bitter, refrigerant, laxative, diuretic, anthelmintic and tonic and are useful in dementia, hemicrania, burning sensation, leprosy, inflammation, leucoderma, bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, ascites and fever while the leaves are useful in otalgia and hepatopathy and the leaves, cathartic. The plant is considered useful for eye infections, skin diseases, urinary troubles, ulcers and has antidotal properties. RECENT STUDIES: L Jacob and MS Latha has reported the Anticancer activity of C ternatea linn. Against dalton's lymphoma in 2012. RB Malabadi et al in 2012 has studied the Antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized by using whole plant extracts of C. ternatea. M Arumugam and R Panneerselvam in 2012 has reported the antibacterial activity of this plant. S Nayak in 2012 has reported the anthelmintic activity of C. ternatea leaf extracts. A Jayachitra and S Sreelatha in 2012 has studied the Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of C. ternatea leaf extracts by using in vivo model. S Deshmukhb et al in 2012 has studied the Hepatoprotective activity of C. ternatea L. leaves against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in rats. BI Shyamkumar et al in 2012 has studied the anti inflammatory, analgesic and phytochemical studies of C. ternatea linn flower extract.


Anagallis arvensis L. Primulaceae ETYMOLOGY: 1. "Anagallis" from the Greek name Anagelao "to laugh" because of it's use among the ancient Greeks for depression. "Arvensis" means "of cultivated fields". 2. The genus name Anagallis derives from the Greek words ana meaning "again" and agallein meaning "to delight in", possibly referring to the fact that these plants produce flowers twice in a year and the flowers open whenever the sun strikes them FOI: Scarlet pimpernel has weak sprawling stems growing to about 50 cm long, sometimes rooting at the nodes. Leaves are opposite, entire, stalk less, ovate, up to 2 cm long, 1.3 cm broad, stem-clasping or not, with brown speckles below, variously pubescent. The small orange or red flowers are produced in the leaf axils from spring till autumn. The petal margins are somewhat crenate and have small glandular hairs. Blue Pimpernel is a closely related subspecies. The Blue Pimpernel and the Scarlet Pimpernel both are often called shepherd's weather glass or shepherd's clock because the flowers close before sunset or if it is about to rain. These brightly colored flowers appear as bright dots in the field, which dramatically "disappear" when the flowers close, if the sky is overcast or the sun is about to set. Closed flowers are quite hard to notice because of their dull color. RECENT STUDIES: SB Mahato et al in 1991 has elucidated the Structure of four new triterpenoid oligoglycosides from A. arvensis. M Amoros et al in 1987 has conducted In vitro antiviral activity of a saponin from A. arvensis, Primulaceae, against herpes simplex virus and poliovirus. The same authors has also elucidated Structure of two antiviral triterpene saponins from the same plant. YL Nene and PN Thapliya in 1965 has established the Antifungal properties of A. arvensis L. extract.


Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn. Mimosaceae, Leguminosae (B&H) ETYMOLOGY: Dichrostachys means 'two-colored spike', referring to its two-colored inflorescence, from the Ancient Greek δί- (di-, 'twice'), χροός (khroos, 'color'), and στάχυς (stakhus, 'ear of grain'). The specific name cinerea refers to the greyish hairs of the typical subspecies, from the Latin cinereus ('ashes'). COMMON NAMES: Sickle Bush • Hindi: कुणाली Kunali, ख़ैरी khairi, वीर तरु Veerataru • Marathi: दरु िं गी बबूल Durangi babool, शिगम

काठी Sigam kathi • Tamil: Veduttalam • Malayalam: Vitattal • Telugu: Nellajammi • Kannada: Odavinaha, Vaduvarada gida • Oriya: Khoiridya • Gujarati: Mordundiyun, Marud • Sanskrit: Vellantaru, Viradru FOI: Sickle bush is a beautiful, small Mimosa-related tree, growing up to 8 m tall. It has bipinnate leaves, 4-8 cm long, 5 to 15 pairs of pinnae, each with 12 to 30 pairs of leaflets. It blooms with beautiful bottle-brush like flower heads which are half pink and half yellow. The rear pink part fades to white with time. The buds look like beautiful pink and yellow mulberry fruits. The fruit-pod is narrowly oblong, variously curved and/or coiled, 5-7 cm long, 0.8-1.5 cm wide, blackish, glabrous. Sickle bush is native to India, SE Asia, Africa and Northern Australia. Flowering: June-August. WIKIPEDIA: D. cinerea is a semi-deciduous to deciduous tree characterized by bark on young branches, dark grey-brown fissures on older branches and stems and smooth on the spines. They typically grow up to 7 metres in height and have strong alternate thorns, generally up to 8 cm long. Flowers of the D. cinerea are characteristically in bicolored cylindrical spikes that resemble Chinese lanterns and are 6–8 cm long and fragrant. Upper flowers of a hanging spike are sterile, and are of a lilac or pale purple. Pods are usually a mustard brown and are generally twisted or spiralled and may be up to 100 x 15 mm. The species has can be subcategorized with 2 slight variations that have been recognised. D. cinerea ssp. africana and D. cinerea ssp. nyassana, the latter which is typically larger and less hairy in its foliage.The species tends to grow in rainforest zones that are clearly defined and in altitudes up to 2,000 meters. It often occurs in areas with a strong seasonal climate with a wide ranging mean annual temperature and with a mean annual rainfall ranging from 200–400 mm. It occurs in brushwood, thickets, hedges, teak forest and grassland and generally takes to poorer quality clay soils or deep and sandy soils with a wide ph scale range. In India it can occur in dry deciduous forest. In southern Africa, D. cinerea generally flowers from October to February with fruiting from May to September. In Indonesia, however the species has been found flowering from September to June and fruiting from March to May. The tree generally grows at a medium to slow rate, 6–8 cm per year. Fruit and seeds that grow on D. cinerea are edible. Cattle, camels and game such as giraffe, buffalo, kudu, hartebeest, nyala, red forest duiker and Damara dik-dik feed on the juicy pods that fall to the ground. Such animals also feed on the immature twigs and leaves of the tree which are rich in protein (11-15%) and minerals. The flowers can be a valuable source of honey. The wood is of a dense nature and burns slowly with no toxicity, so it is often used for fuelwood. The species yields a medium to heavy, durable hardwood and is often used in smaller domestic items as walking sticks, handles, spears and tool handles particularly in central Africa. USES: In traditional medicine, the bark is used for headache, toothache, dysentery, elephantiasis, root infusions are used for leprosy, syphilis, coughs, as an anthelmintic, purgative and strong diuretic, leaves are used for epilepsy and also as a diuretic and laxative, and a powdered form is massaged on limbs with bone fractures. The roots are also sometimes used for bites or stings. In Siddha medicine of the Tamils in southern India, D. cinerea is called vidathther and used for gonorrhea, syphilis and eczema. As they are rich in nutrients, the plants are often used as fertiliser, particularly in the Sahel region of Africa along riverbanks. The plant is widely used for soil conservation, particularly in India, for shallow soils, and in arid western and subhumid alluvial plains. It is also cultivated as an indoor bonsai specimen RECENT STUDIES: JO Neondo et al in 2012 has conducted the Phytochemical characterization, antibacterial screening and toxicity evaluation of D. cinerea. A Banso and SO Adeyemo in 2010 has Evaluated the antibacterial properties of tannins isolated from D. cinerea. JA Vegten in 1984 reported it as an invasive species in savanna ecosystem in eastern Botswana. DN Ndhlovu and PJ Masika reported in 2012 that this plant included in one of the plants used for Ethno-veterinary control of bovine dermatophilosis and ticks in Zhombe, Njelele and Shamrock resettlement in Zimbabwe.

30.12.12 45: Smita Raskar

Monochoria vaginalis (Burm.f.) C.Presl Pontederiaceae ETYMOLOGY: Monochoria (Pontederiaceae): (GK) monos-one; choros-place or region - may be alluding to the single leaf protruding out of Stem during younger stage. SYNONYMS: Boottia mairei H.Lév., Gomphima vaginalis (Burm.f.) Raf. , M. junghuhniana Hassk. , M. linearis (Hassk.) Miq. , M. loureiroi Kunth , M. ovata Kunth , M. pauciflora (Blume) Kunth , M. plantaginea (Roxb.) Kunth , M. vaginalis (Burm. f.) C. Presl ex Kunth , M. vaginalis var. angustifolia G.X.Wang , M. vaginalis var. pauciflora (Blume) Merr. , M. vaginalis var. plantaginea (Roxb.) Solms , P. alba Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. , P. cordata Lour. , P. lanceolata Wall. ex Kunth , P. linearis Hassk. , P. loureiroana Schult. & Schult.f. , P. ovata Hook. & Arn. , P. pauciflora Blume , P. plantaginea Roxb. , P. racemosa Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. , P. vaginalis Burm.f. , P. vaginata Royle COMMON NAMES: Oval Leaf Pondweed, Oval Leaf Monochoria, Marshy betelvine • Hindi: ननका Nanka, इिंदीवर Indivar • Marathi: Nelat-phal • Tamil: Karimkuvalam • Malayalam: Karinkuvvalam • Telugu: Nirakancha • Kannada: Neelothpala • Bengali: nukha • Assamese: nara meteka • Sanskrit: इिंदीवरः Indivarah FOI: 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. USES: The stems and leaves are used as a vegetable. Oval Leaf Pondweed is used in Ayurvedic, Unani and folklore medicine. The root is used for toothache, stomach and liver ailments, toothache and the bark is eaten with sugar for asthma. RECENT STUDIES: GM Kumar et al in 2012 has proved the Analgesic Activity of Roots of this plant. R Chandran et al in 2012 has done the Nutritional Assessment of Monochoria vaginalis, and considered it as a a Wild Edible Vegetable Supplement to the Human Diet. R CHANDRAN et al in 2012 has analyzed the Antioxidant And Anti Inflammatory Potential of this plant.


Dendrobium crepidatum Lindl. & Paxton Orchidaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek "dendron" tree and "bios" life, Life on trees, alluding to the epiphytic habit. SYNONYMS: Callista crepidata (Lindl. & Paxton) Kuntze., Callista lawiana (Lindl.) Kuntze., Dendrobium actinomorphum Blatt. & Hallb., D. lawianum Lindl., D. roseum Dalzell COMMON NAME: Law's Dendrobium • Marathi: लॉई दािंडअ े मरी lawi dandeamri FOI: Law's Dendrobium is a small orchid, 20-30 cm, growing on trees. Pseudobulbs are 5-25 cm, curved, tapering at both ends, internodes 2 cm, 1-2 cm thick at nodes, green, enclosed in membrane-like sheath. Leaves are narrow lanceshaped, stalkless, 5-10 cm long, with 4 pairs of nerves. Fragrant white flowers are borne in pairs at nodes, at the end of young pseudobulbs. Flower-stalks are 2-3 cm long. Lip is 1-2 cm, broadly ovate, clawed. Capsules are ovoid, green, 2 cm long, ribbed. Law's Dendrobium is found in the Western Ghats. FPK-KFRI: Stem clavate, narrowed towards base, yellowish-green. Leaves distichous, to 10 x 1.5 cm, sessile, lanceolate or oblonglanceolate. Flowers 3 cm across, solitary or in pairs. Sepals and petals similar, oblong, obtuse, 1.5 x 0.7 cm, white with pink tinge at apex. Lip similar to petals but broader, entire. Column stout, 2.5 mm long, with 2 callii at base. RECENT STUDIES: PL Majumder and S Chatterjee has isolated Crepidatin, a bibenzyl derivative from this orchid in 1989. M Elander et al in 1973 (Sorry!! Not Very Recent!) Crepidine, crepidamine and dendrocrepine, three alkaloids from D. crepidatum.


Turraea villosa Benn. Meliaceae ETYMOLOGY: In honor of Giorgia Turre (1607-1688), once Professor of Botany at Padua and author of several botanical works. COMMON NAMES: Small honeysuckle tree, Wild honeysuckle • Marathi: कापुर भेंडी Kapur bhendi. FOI: Kapur bhendi is a large shrub, 1-3 m high, with slender drooping branches. It has small dark green glossy leaves. In the month of October it blooms with starry white flowers with five longish petals. The flowers are 2-3 cm across. The flower shape is like that of Singapore Frangipani. The long style comes well out of the flower tube. Occurs occasionally in moist deciduous forests. USES: used in folk medicine in the rural areas of the Kolhapur district, Leaf suspension is applied on an abscess to cure it. RECENT STUDIES: YG Chiplunkar et al in 1993 has isolated steroids like Villosterol- 3β, 5β-dihydroxy-20 pregnen-6-one from this plant. PK Cheplogoi in 2003 has isolated Tetranortriterpenoid derivatives from it. XN Wang in 2006 has isolated a New pregnane steroids from it.


Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques Asparagaceae, Liliaceae (B&H) ETYMOLOGY: Derived from Greek, 'chlōrós' (χλωρός) means green and 'phyton' (φυτόν) refers to plant. Thus ‘chlorophytum’ means, rather prosaically and unnecessarily, ‘green plant’. May be referring to the beauty of the green foliages for which this plant usually grown in gardens. ‘Comosum’ means 'leafy'. COMMON NAMES: Spider plant, Musli मुतली (Hindi) SYNONYMS: Anthericum comosum Thunb., Caesia comosa (Thunb.) Spreng., Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Baker.,Hartwegia comosa (Thunb.) Nees.,Hollia comosa (Thunb.) Heynh., Phalangium comosum (Thunb.) Poir. FOI: Possibly the most popular of all houseplants, spider plant is a grasslike, clump forming, evergreen perennial in the lily family The leaves are linear, 8-16 in (20.3-40.6 cm) long and less than 1 in (2.5 cm) wide. Small white flowers are borne along outward arching wiry stalks. After blooming and fruiting, little tufts of leaves - baby spider plants - develop on the stalks. These little "spiders" take root wherever they touch the ground. DESCRIPTION FROM WIKIPEDIA: Chlorophytum comosum grows to about 60 centimeters (24 in) high. It has fleshy, tuberous roots, about 5–10 centimetres (2–4 in) long. The long narrow leaves reach a length of 20–45 centimetres (8–18 in) and are around 6–25 millimetres (0.2–1.0 in) wide. Flowers are produced in a long branched inflorescence, which can reach a length of up to 75 centimetres (30 in) and eventually bends downwards. Flowers initially occur in clusters of 1–6 at intervals along the stem (scape) of the inflorescence. Each cluster is at the base of a bract, which ranges from 2–8 centimeters (0.8–3.1 in) in length, becoming smaller towards the end of the inflorescence. Most of the flowers which are produced initially die off, so that the inflorescences are relatively sparsely flowered. Individual flowers are greenish-white, borne on stalks (pedicels) some 4–8 millimeters (0.2–0.3 in) long. Each flower has six three-veined tepals which are 6–9 millimetres (0.2–0.4 in) long, slightly hooded or boat-shaped at their tips. The stamens consist of a pollen-producing anther about 3.5 millimetres (0.1 in) long with a filament about the same length or slightly longer. The central style is 3–8 millimetres (0.1–0.3 in) long. Seeds are produced in a capsule 3–8 millimeters (0.1–0.3 in) long on stalks (pedicels) which lengthen to up to 12 millimetres (0.5 in). The inflorescences carry plantlets at the tips of their branches. The stems (scapes) of the inflorescence are called "stolons" in some sources, but this term is more correctly used for stems which do not bear flowers, and have roots at the nodes. USES: Widely cultivated as an Ornamental Plant. RECENT STUDIES: J. J. Cornejo et al in 1999 reported this plant as very efficient in Decontamination of the Air especially when grown Indoor. GZ Meng et al in 2012 reported that this plant is capable of purifying Indoor Formaldehyde Pollution. JIG MASANGWA et al in 2012 reported that this plant extracts are having anti-fungal activity against Colletotrichum species of common bean. Another study by Y Wang in 2012 reported that this plant is very efficient in purifying the heavy metal Cadmium polluted soil by accumulating it and called it as 'Cadmium-hyperaccumulator'


Pericallis cruenta (L'Hér.) Bolle Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek, 'Peri' means Around and 'Callis' Means Path or Marking alluding to the variegation on the petals round the flower or from Pericallis (Περικαλλής) of Greek means beauteous. SYNONYMS: Cineraria cruenta Masson ex L'Hér., Doronicum cruentum (L'Hér.) Sch.Bip. Description from http://www.rareplants.de: Height 80 (120)cm, semi perennial with broad basal leaves, purplish red beneath and a tall, branching inflorescence with numerous bright pink flowers with a lilac center. Native of semi moist spots in the laurel forest on the north side of Tenerife. Easily grown as a pot plant in any humus rich, well drained substrate in a sunny (winter) to partially shaded (summer) spot. Keep slightly drier in winter at a minimum of some 12°C. USES: Grown as a Garden plant. W Xuming in 2003 has reported the purification of Fe_ (2+) in waste water by this Plant.

25.12.12 40: Suresh Kutty

Oryza sativa L Poaceae ETYMOLOGY: The origin can be traced back, From Greek "Oryza" which originated from the Arabic Word "Aruz" and which originated from the Dravidian Name "Arrizzi" in Tamil. COMMON NAMES: Rice, paddy, sake, sea-grass matting • Assamese: িান Dhan • Bengali: িান Dhan • Hindi: िावल Chaval • Kannada: akki, bhatta • Malayalam: ari, navaranellu, nellu • Manipuri: Phaou • Marathi: tandul, bhat, pendha • Oriya: dhano • Sanskrit: dhanya, dhanyah, garuda • Tamil: arishi, arisi, nellu • Telugu: biyam, biyyam, dhanyamu • Urdu: chawal FPK-KFRI: Annuals. Culms 50-120 cm high, erect, rooting at the lower nodes; nodes glabrous. Leaves 25-60 x 0.5-1.2 cm, linearlanceolate or linear, apex acuminate, scabrid; sheaths ciliate along the margins; ligules 2-3 mm long, membranous. Panicles 10-25 cm long, lax. Spikelets 7-10 mm long, oblong, awned or not. Glumes reduced. First lemma 7-10 mm long, oblong-lanceolate, empty. Second lemma 6-8 mm long, oblong-lanceolate, granulate, fertile. Palea oblong-lanceolate, acuminate. Grains oblong, tightly enclosed by the lemma and palea. USES: The most widely consumed staple food of the world with thousands of different varieties and variants. There are few medicinal varieties like O. sativa var njavara which has been used in Ayurveda for special kind of medicinal massaging called Njavara Kizhi to cure Rheumatism and Similar diseases and also as a general practice to improve health.

24.12.12 39: Vinaya Raj V R

Scleropyrum pentandrum (Dennst.) Mabb. Santalaceae ETYMOLOGY: From Greek, 'Scleros' means Hard and 'Pyrum' means Kernal, alluding to the Hard Pyriform Drupes SYNONYMS: Antidesma parasiticum Dillwyn, Bridelia horrida Dillwyn, Heydia horrida Dennst., Myrobalanus indica Buch.-Ham. ex Steud., Pothos pentandrus Dennst. Pyrularia ceylanica A.DC., P. wallichiana A.DC., Scleropyrum wallichianum Arn., Terminalia horrida Steud. FPK-KFRI: Small trees; trunk with sharp axillary thorns. Leaves alternate, to 15 x 9 cm, ovate or oblong, acute or acuminate, base truncate or rounded, coriaceous; nerves 5 pairs, irregular. Flowers polygamous on drooping spikes. Spikes unequal, solitary or fascicled, along mature stems, 5-10 cm long; bracts triangular, acuminate, 1.5 mm long, scarious. Perianth orange-yellow, adnated to the ovary in bisexual and female flowers and free in male flowers, 5-fid at apex; stamens 4 or 5, anthers divaricate; ovary inferior, 1-celled, 3-ovuled; style short; stigma peltate. Drupes pyriform, 2.5 x 2 cm; purple, crowned by the perianth tube, 1-seeded. RECENT STUDIES: A Suksamrarn et al in 2005 established the Antimycobacterial and antiplasmodial activities of unsaturated carboxylic acid from the twigs of this plant. TM Venugopal et al in 2011 has studied the Mineral Composition, Cytotoxic and Anticariogenic Activity of S. pentandrum. M Ayyanar et al in 2005 has reported that the tribals of Tirunelveli hills, Tamil Nadu uses a paste of stem bark and leaves applied externally to treat skin diseases. NP Rajith and VS Ramachandran in 2010 reported that Kurichyas of Kannur District uses the Crushed roots for curing stomach ailments. A. John De Britto and R. Mahesh in 2007 has reported that Kani Tribal’s In Agasthiayamala Biosphere Reserve uses the Whole plant parts are applied externally to cure Skin Irritation.

23.12.12 38: Nilesh Kelkar

Echinops echinatus Roxb. Asteraceae ETYMOLOGY: The genus name derives from the Greek words "ekhinos" meaning "hedgehog" and "opisis" meaning "appearance", with reference to the reseblance of the inflorescence or fruits to that of hedgehog (a spiny mammal). Common names: Indian Globe Thistle • Hindi: Utakatira, Oontkateli, Gokhru • Marathi: Utkatar, Kate-chendu • Telugu: Brahmadandi • Kannada: Brahmadande • Urdu: Untkatara • Gujarati: Utkanto, Shuliyo. FOI: Indian Globe Thistle is an erect branched herb about a meter high. It has short, stout stems, branching from the base, covered with white cottony hair. Alternately arranged oblong, deeply pinnatifid leaves are 7-12 cm long. Flower-heads occur in solitary white spherical balls, 3-5 cm across. Petals of the tiny white flowers are 5 mm long. Flowers are surrounded by straight, strong, white bristles. Flowering: December-January. MEDICINAL USES: Whole plant is used against skin itching. In Pakistan a paste of root is applied on the belly of pregnant woman at child birth for easy delivery of birth. Plant extract along with milk is used against anorexia, rheumatism, kidney stones as coloric and Digester. RECENT STUDIES: UP Singh et al in 1988 has established Antifungal activity of some new fiavones and fiavone glycosides from this plant. B Singh et al in 1989 has established the Anti-inflammatory activity of it. Another study leaded by B Singh in 1991 has established the antiinflammatory activity of taraxasterol acetate from E. echinatus in rats and mice. M Agrawal et al in 2012 has studied Protective effects of E. echinatus on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats.


Alangium salviifolium subsp. hexapetalum (Lam.) Wangerin Cornaceae Etymology: Alangium" comes from "Alangi", its Malayalam name in Malabar Region of Kerala. Common name: Sage Leaved Alangium • Hindi: Ankol अिंकोल • Urdu: Ankula • Malayalam: Alangi, Arinjl, Angolam • Telugu: Urgu • Kannada: Ankolamara • Sanskrit: Ankolah • Tamil: Alandi. FOI: Sage Leaved Alangium is a tall thorny tree native to India. It grows to a height of about 3 to 10 meters.The bark is ash colored, rough and faintly fissured. The leaves are elliptic oblong, elliptic lanceolate or oblong lanceolate. The flowers are greenish white, fascilcled, axillary or on old wood. The berries are ovoid, ellipsoid or nearly globose.glabrous, smooth and violet to purple. The flowering season is February to June. FPK-KFRI: Leaves 13-18 x 5-7 cm, obovate-oblong, apex acuminate, base round to subcordate, nerves 5 pairs, lowest pair from the base, rib-like; nervules reticulate, subparallel; petiole to 1 cm long. Flowers 2 cm long, in axillary fascicles; pedicels 8 mm long pubescent; calyx cupular, 5 mm across, 7-teethed, densely tomentose; petals 7, each 17 x 2 mm, linear-oblong, tomentose; stamens 14, filaments 8 mm long, ciliate below; anthers 7 mm long, linear; ovary inferior, 1-celled, ovule solitary, style 1, elongate, stigma capitate. Berry 2 x 1.3 cm, ellipsoid, tomentose. MEDICINAL USES: In Ayurveda the roots and the fruits are used for treatment of rheumatism, and hemorrhoid. Externally it is used for the treatment of bites of rabbits, rats, and dogs. This is a reputed single drug in Ayurveda for the treatment of rabies. The root hark is administered both intern ally and externally in Case of rabid dog-bites and as an antidote for other poisonous bites including snake bites . The drug is reported to be bitter, alterative, anthelmintic, astringent , laxative, easily digestible and unctuous and is emetic in large degrees. It is useful in diarrhea, simple continued fevers, colic, hemopathy and inflammation . The fruit is laxative, antiphlegmatic and tonic and is useful in burning sensation , emaciation, hemorrhage and morbidity. MYTH: t is believed that in every season one of the fruits of this tree goes back to its original position in the branch after fallen on the ground. This fruit can render any one to assume any shape. So Wizards used to spread ashes all over the ground to Identify the fruit and collect it to Make special potions for Shape shifting. RECENT STUDIES: R Zahan et al in 2012 has Evaluated the antioxidant and ant diabetic activity of methanol extract of this Plant. R Venkateshwarlu et al in 2012 has established the anti-tumor activity of it against Dalton's ascetic lymphoma. In another study R Zahan et al established the Antibacterial and antidiarrheal activity of its flowers. S Jubie et al in 2008 has established the Anti-arthritic activity of bark extracts of this tree.

21.12.12 36: Pravin Kawale

Barleria prionitis L. Acanthaceae Etymology: The name Barleria is derived from the name of a Dominican monk and French botanist, Jacques Barrelier who lived during the 1600s. Common names: Porcupine flower, Barleria • Hindi: वज्रदिं ती Vajradanti • Tamil: குந்தன் Kundan • Kannada: Mullu goranti • Malayalam: Kuttivetila • Gujarati: Pilikantashelio Synonyms: Barleria coriacea Oberm., B. echinata St.-Lag., B. prionitis var. angustissima Hochr., B. prionitis subsp. madagascariensis Benoist, B. prionitis var. pubescens Kuntze, B. quadrispinosa Stokes, B. spicata Roxb., Justicia appressa Forssk., Prionitis hystrix Miq., P. pubiflora Miq. FOI: 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 yelloworange 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. FPK-KFRI: Erect armed shrubs, spines ca. 1.2 cm long. Leaves to 5-9 x 2.5-4 cm, elliptic, acute, mucronate, base cuneate, sparsely puberulus, ciliate on the margins, gland dotted beneath; petiole to 2 cm. Cymes axillary; bracts 2, 1.5 cm, oblong mucronate; outer calyx lobes 1.3 x 0.4 cm, inner 1.1x 0.2 cm, mucronate, hirsute; corolla tube 2.5 cm, lobes 2 cm obovate; filaments 1.3 cm, staminodes 2, included at the base of the corolla tube; ovary 2.5 mm, style 2.5 cm. 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. Recent Studies: Studies by R.S. Gupta et al in 2000 has established Antifertility activity of the root extract of it. B Singh, et al in 2003 has established the Anti-inflammatory activity of 'TAF'an active fraction from the plant. B Singh et al in 2005 has studied the Chemistry and hepatoprotective activity of an active fraction in experimental animals.


Osyris lanceolata Hochst. & Steud. Santalaceae Etymology: From Greek word 'Ozoz' Meaning branch, referring to the numerous Pliant Branches of the tree. Common Name: East African sandalwood,Transvaal sumach,rock tannin-bush,bark bush Synonyms: O. abyssinica Hochst. ex A., O. arborea Wall. ex A. DC., O. arborea var. rotundifolia P.C. Tam, O. arborea var. stipitata Lecomte, O. densifolia PETER, O. laeta PETER, O. oblanceolata PETER, O. parvifolia Baker, O. quadripartita Salzm. ex Decne.,O. rigidissima Engl.,O. tenuifolia Engl.,O. urundiensis De Wild.,O. wightiana Wall. ex Wight, O. wightiana var. rotundifolia (P.C. Tam) P.C. Tam, O. wightiana var. stipitata (Lecomte) P.C. Tam. Description from worldagroforestry.org: Osyris lanceolata is a large, slender hardy shrub or a small tree (7-10 m tall). This multistemmed, evergreen hemi-parasitic plant has a round to irregular canopy and a grey smooth bark (later thick and rough). Leaves sparse, blue-green, simple, alternate, lanceolate, sometimes eggshaped, slightly glaucous, thick in texture, smooth with a waxy bloom, crowded along the stems; the apex is broadly tapering to rounded with a fine, sharp tip. The base is broadly tapering; lamina 2.5-7.5 cm, entire and rolled; petiole short, winged up to 0.6 cm, attachment to the stem forming ridges running down the stem. Twigs and leaves point upwards. Flowers small, unisexual, yellow-green, becoming red when ripe; borne in leaf axils in short panicles or clusters of 2-3 flowers. Male flowers in axillary cymes, female solitary; all floral parts in fours. Fruit small, edible, 1-seeded drupe, about 1 cm long, fleshy, eggshaped, and green at first, turning yellow and becoming bright red to purple-black when ripe; crowned with a persistent calyx. BIOLOGY: O. lanceolata is monoecious, flowering from March to August or even later, September to February with fruits ripening between May and September. In some areas the fruit is available throughout the year, but most abundant from July to December Uses: Roots and bark are used for tea and as a tonic in soup. Fruits are edible. Ripe fruits are eaten raw, with the seed discarded; only as an emergency food, especially by children or herdsmen. Medicine: A root decoction is used to treat diarrhea in Kenya; a decoction of the bark and heartwood is used to treat sexually transmitted diseases and anaemia in Tanzania. Extracts from the plant can cure certain diseases, including the killer Hepatitis B. The wood is very hard, strong and heavy. It is used for carvings, grain mortars, pestles, pegs, and for building poles and bedsteads. Roots and wood are scented and used to make cosmetics and perfume; and has a lucrative market in Germany, India, Indonesia and South Africa.


Bombax ceiba L. Malvaceae Etymology: From Greek word bombaks (βομβάξ ) meaning Silk or Cotton refering to the silky cotton fibres inside the fruit. Common names: Silk Cotton Tree, Kapok Tree • Hindi: ाल्मली Shalmali, िेमल Semal • Manipuri: Tera • Assamese: Dumboil • Tamil: Sittan, Sanmali • Malayalam: Unnamurika, Mullumurikk Synonyms: B. aculeatum L., B. ceiba Burm.f., B. ceiba var. leiocarpum Robyns, B. heptaphyllum Cav. B. malabaricum DC., B. thorelii Gagnep., B. tussacii Urb., Gossampinus malabarica Merr., G. rubra Buch.-Ham., G. thorelii Bakh., Melaleuca grandiflora Blanco, Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl FOI: Silk cotton tree is a type of native cotton tree with large red flowers. The genus name Salmalia is derived from the sanskrit name shaalmali. Silk cotton trees comprise eight species in the genus Bombax, native to India, tropical southern Asia, northern Australia and tropical Africa. Semul trees bear beautiful red-colored flowers during January to March. The phenomenon paints the whole landscape in an enchanting red hue. The fruit, the size of a ping-pong ball, on maturity appears during March and April. These are full of cotton-like fibrous stuff. It is for the fiber that villagers gather the semul fruit and extract the cotton substance called "kopak". This substance is used for filling economically priced pillows, quilts, sofas etc. The fruit is cooked and eaten and also pickled. Semul is quite a fast growing tree and can attain a girth of 2 to 3 m, and height about 30 m, in nearly 50 years or so. Its wood, when sawn fresh, is white in color. However, with exposure and passage of time it grows darkish gray. It is as light as 10 to 12 kg, per cubic foot. It is easy to work but not durable anywhere other than under water. So it is popular for construction work, but is very good and prized for manufacture of plywood, match boxes and sticks, scabbards, patterns, moulds, etc. Also for making canoes and light duty boats and or other structures required under water. Bombax species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the leaf-miner Bucculatrix crateracma which feeds exclusively on Bombax ceiba. FPK-KFRI: Deciduous trees; to 45 m high; bole straight, buttress 1-2 m high, armed with conical prickles; bark 20-30 mm thick, grey mottled with white, longitudinal fissures shallow; blaze pink, marked with triangular rays; branches horizontal and more or less whorled; branchlets prickly. Leaves digitately-compound, alternate, stipulate; stipules small, lateral; rachis 12-25 cm, stout, swollen at base, glabrous; leaflets 5-7, whorled; petiolule 14-25 mm long, stout, glabrous; lamina 10-20 x 2-6 cm, elliptic, elliptic-ovate or elliptic-obovate; base attenuate or cuneate; apex caudate-acuminate; margin entire, glabrous, chartaceous; lateral nerves 8-14 pairs, parallel, slightly ascending, prominent, secondary laterals also seen; intercostae reticulate. Flowers bisexual, dark crimson, 6-7 cm across, solitary or 2-5 together; pedicels 1-2 cm long, thick; calyx campanulate, irregularly lobed, lobes 3-4 x 3 cm, coriaceous, glabrous to sparsely puberulous outside, silky inside, falling of with corolla and stamens; petals 5, 8.5-18 x 3.5-5 cm, obovate to elliptic-obovate, recurved, fleshy, tomentellous outside, imbricate; stamens 65-80, 3-7.5 cm long in 5 bundles; staminal tube short; filaments flat, angular, connate only at the base of the bundles; anthers reniform; ovary conical, tomentose, 5-celled; ovules many; style exceeding the stamens; stigma 5-fid, lobes spreading. Fruit a capsule, 8-10 x 3 cm, downy tomentose, cylindrical, cuneate on both ends, blackish and glabrous at maturity, the columella brownish; seeds numerous, pyriform, smooth, dark brown, embedded in white cotton. Recent Studies: Studies by S Faizi et al in 2012 has isolated 'shamimoside', a new antioxidant xanthone C-glucoside from leaf extract. GK Wang et al in 2012 has Isolated a new lignan with anti-HBV activity from the roots of Bombax ceiba. Studeis by NB Gadge et al in 2012 had shown that the extracts of Bombax ceiba fruit reduces risk of calcium oxalate urolithiasis in rats. Vartika Jain et al in 2012 has summerised its pharmacology in the book "Pharmacology of Bombax ceiba Linn.". YJ You et al in 2003 has proven the Antiangiogenic activity of lupeol from Bombax ceiba. Hypotensive activity and toxicology of constituents from Bombax ceiba stem bark has been studied by R Saleem et al in 2003. V Ravi et al in 2010 has studies the Hepatoprotective activity of Bombax ceiba linn against isoniazid and rifampicin-induced toxicity in experimental rats.


Aechmea gamosepala Wittm. Bromeliaceae. Etymology: From greek word 'aichmḗ' means Spearhead, may to due to the resemblance of the flowers with that of spearheads. Common names: Match Stick Plant, Gamos Bromeliad FOI: Aechmea are known for beautiful foliage, long lasting color and vivid berry-like fruit. These plants can adapt and grow on a variety of surfaces such as on trees in full sunlight between 300 to 3,500 feet. Specimens have been found in Peru having 3 foot long leaves, but the average is 1 foot in length. Match Stick Plant has smooth, 20-inch long, green leaves. The flat-topped inflorescence has reddishpurple bracts and purple petals and red sepals. The flowers look like pink match-sticks with bright blue heads. Web: Aechmea gamosepala grows to about 30cm in height, and can be epiphytic (sometimes growing on trees). Economic Importance: Grown widely in gardens as an Ornamental plant. Though the flowers are relatively short-lived, they bloom several times annually, making it a desirable ornamental.

17.12.12 32: Balakrishnan Veeranchira

Rivina humilis L. Phytolaccaceae Etymology: In Honour of A.Q.Rivinus,A botanist of Saxony (1652-1722),Prof. of Botany at Leipzing and Author of 'Introduction Generalis in Rem Herbarium' (1690). Common name: Blood Berry, Pigeon Berry, coral berry, Baby Pepper, rouge plant FOI: Blood Berry is a small, upright or straggling perennial herb, native to the southern US, Mexico, the Caribbean islands, and Central and South America. The plant is now pantropical and often considered a pest plant outside the Americas. The rouge plant is variable; the leaves may be smooth to velvety. It grows 40-100 cm tall, rarely taller. The plant does best in shady locations and blooms most of the year. The tiny pale pink-white flowers give rise to brilliant orange or red berries. It is unique in that it is covered with small white and pink flowers, green and red berries, and red and green foliage at the same time. Although the berries are considered toxic to humans, birds find them irresistible. The plant is recommended to attract birds to the garden. Southwestern Native Americans used the berries for a red dye. In Mexico, the leaves were employed to treat wounds. FPK-KFRI: Herbs to 80 cm tall, young parts thinly pubescent. Leaves alternate, 7-15 x 2.5-5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, chartaceous, base rounded to acute, margin entire to minutely crenulate, apex gradually acute to acuminate; lateral nerves 8-12 pairs, impressed above, raised below, glabrous, except for the puberulous nerves, petiole to 4 cm. Racemes flexuous, lax, 7-10 cm; bracts lanceolate, 1 mm; pedicel to 2 mm. Flowers white, 4.5 mm across, rotate. Perianth-lobes 4, oblong, 2 x 0.8 mm, chartaceous, rounded at both ends, spreading, connivent in fruit, reflexed later. Stamens 4; filaments 1.5 mm, persistent in fruit; anthers oblong, rounded at both ends, sometimes unequal, to 0.8 mm. Ovary globose, 1 mm across; style bent, upper half erect, 1 mm, recurved in fruit. Fruit a pseudoberry, globose, 0.5 cm across; epicarp fleshy, juicy; seed lenticular, hard, 2.5 mm across, hairy. Recent Studies: Pigeonberry is cultivated as an ornamental in warm regions throughout the world and is valued as a shade-tolerant groundcover. It is also grown as a houseplant and in greenhouses. Juice made from the berries was used as a dye and ink at one time. The berries contain a pigment known as Rivianin or Rivinianin, which has the IUPAC name 5-O-β-D-Glucopyranoside, 3-sulfate, CAS number 58115-21-2, and molecular formula C24H26N2O16S. It is very similar to betanin, the pigment found in beets. The juice of the berries have been tested in male rats and are reported to be safe to consume.

16.12.12 31: Sunil Bhoite

Ceropegia hirsuta Wight & Arn Apocynaceae Etymology: Ceropegia originated from the Greek word "keropegion" (κηροπήγιο) Meaning Candle Holder or Candle Stick. Alluding to the Resemblance of the flowers to Candle Holder. (Etymology Help Smita Raskar) Common name: Hairy Ceropegia • Marathi: Hamana FOI: Hairy Ceropegia is an upright or climbing plant with a subterranean tuber. The 6.5 cm long and 3 cm broad, elliptic to ovate leaves are covered with hair on both sides. Leaf stalk is about 2 cm long, hairy. The 5 cm long flowers of this species are very showy, the lower part is slightly swollen. The flower-tube is light beige colored and mottled olive-brown or purple upwards. The petals are very broad and yellowish or apple-green colored. In India the tubers of Hairy Ceropegia are eaten as a vegetable. Flowering: August-September. FPK-KFRI: Hirsute twiner. Leaves to 12 x 1 cm, linear, acuminate, base acute, pubescent; petiole to 5 mm long. Flowers purple, 3-10 together, 3 cm long; peduncle 5mm long, stout; pedicels 12 mm long; calyx lobes 8 mm long, linear, ciliate; corolla dark purplish brown, tube 2.5 cm long, dialated at base, cylindric, broaden above, hairy inside, lobes 6 mm long, ovate, acute, hairy within; outer corona 5 mm across, lobes deltoid, bifid, densely ciliate, inner corona linear, erect, 2.5 mm long, hooked at tips, villous at base. Recent Studies: Studies by SY Kamble et al in 2008 has enumerated the ethno botanical uses of this plant by the tribes of Northwest Maharashtra for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorder. KN Reddy et al 2007 lists this as one of the wild food plants in Andhra Pradesh and mentions Boiled Tuberous root as edible.


Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. Convolvulaceae Etymology: The generic name Ipomoea is derived from the Greek ‘ips’ means worm and ‘homoios’ means, similar to ie ‘worm-like’ in reference to the twining habit. Common names: Water Morning Glory, Swamp cabbage, aquatic morning glory, Chinese water spinach • Hindi: Nali, कलमी िाग Kalmi sag • Manipuri: হকালম্নী Kolamni • Marathi: नालीिी भाजी Nalichi-bhaji • Tamil: Sarkaraivalli • Telugu: Tutikura • Kannada: Chanthion • Bengali: কলমী সাগ Kulmi sag • Oriya: Kalama saga • Konkani: Takasi vel • Sanskrit: Karemu, Kalambi. • Malayalam: Vellachcheera. FOI: Water Morning Glory is a semi-aquatic tropical plant grown as a leaf vegetable. Its precise natural distribution is unknown due to extensive cultivation, with the species found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Water Morning Glory grows in water or on moist soil. Its stems are 2-3 m or more long, hollow, allowing them to float, and these root at the nodes. The leaves vary from sagittate (typical) to lanceolate, 5-15 cm long and 2-8 cm broad. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, 3-5 cm diameter, usually white in colour, with a purple center. It is most commonly grown in East and Southeast Asia. Because it flourishes naturally in waterways and does not require much if any care, it is used extensively in Malay and Chinese cuisine. FPK-KFRI: Creeping or floating aquatic herbs, stems hollow, rooting at the nodes. Leaves alternate, varies in form, usually oblong-lanceate or narrowly triangular, 5-10 by 2-6 cm, base hastate, apex acute; petiole 6-10 cm long. Flowers purplish-white, solitary or few in cymes. Sepals subequal, 6-8 mm long, oblong-lanceolate, membranous, glabrous. Corolla funnel-form, c. 5 cm long, pale purple to nearly white, tube to 2 cm long, lobes obscure. Stamens included, filaments unequal, hairy at the base. Ovary glabrous. Capsule globose; seeds 4 or 2, minutely pubescent. Uses: Used as a green vegetable in many parts of the world hence the name Water Spinach. Recent Studies: K Nagendra Prasad et al in 2005 has Isolated a free radical-scavenging antioxidant from this plant. Studies by Miao Li et al in 2007 has proved that it is efficient in Nitrogen removal from eutrophic water. Huang et al. in 2005 has proved its Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities and T.Sugandhika Malalavidhane et al in 2000 has established its Oral hypoglycaemic activity. It is one of the plant which has been used for Phytoremediation of Polluted waters.

14.12.12 29: Sunil Bhoite

Dendrobium herbaceum Lindl. Orchidaceae Common Name: Grassy Dendrobium Etymology: From Greek "dendron" tree and "bios" life, Life on trees, alluding to the epiphytic habit. FOI: Grassy Dendrobium has the smallest flowers in the Dendrobium genus. Stem pendulous , 2-3 ft. long, and lower part of braches naked , upper with short sheaths. Grass like leaves linear -lanceolate acuminate. Flowers racemes terminal very short few-flowered. Flower sepals and petals linear - obtuse 3-nerved, mentum very short rounded,lip very small narrow. Side lobes very narrow, tips rounded , midlobe shorter ovate rugose. FPK-KFRI: Stem 30-40 cm long, branched, terete, leafless when flowering. Leaves 3-8 cm long, narrowly linear. Flowers white, in 4-6-flowered, 1-1.5 cm long, slender racemes from nodes; pedicel 6-7 mm; dorsal sepal 5 x 1.5 mm, oblonglanceolate, acute, 3-veined; lateral sepals 4 x 1.5-2 mm, oblong, subacute, apiculate, falcate, 3-veined; petals 4 x 1 mm, subfalcately oblong, obtuse, apiculate, 1-veined; lip 3 x 2 mm, side lobes ovate-orbicular; midlobe thick, orbicular, obtuse Recent Studies:: A study by M. Maridass et al in 2008 has revealed that this plant is rich in Flavonoids Reducing Sugar Cyanogenic glycosides and Tannins. Studies by Harshitha Kumari et al in 2012 has enumerated the following ethno medical applications of this orchid. Leaf paste is applied on infected parts of syphilis, tender leaf juice is used in earache.

13.12.12 28: Debashis Chowdhury

Pisum sativum L. Fabaceae Etymology: Pisum is an ancient Latin name for the well-known pea, which originated from greek pison (πίσον), Sativum means “planted,” or, more literally, “that which is sown” Common name: Pea, garden pea, English pea, green pea, snap pea • Hindi: मटर Matar • Manipuri: হহৌৱাঈথৈক Houwaitharak • Marathi: Vatane • Tamil: பட்ைாநீ pattani • Malayalam: പട്ടാനീ Pattani • Telugu: Pantanlu, Gundusanighelu • Kannada: Batgadle, Bahtahna • Bengali: Matar • Urdu: Matar • Gujarati: Patana • Sanskrit: Renuka, Satila, Triputa. FOI: A pea, although treated as a vegetable in cooking, is botanically a fruit; the term is most commonly used to describe the small spherical seeds or the pods of the legume Pisum sativum. Pea is an annual plant, with a lifecycle of one year. It is a cool season crop grown in many parts of the world, planting can take place from winter through to early summer depending on location. All cultivated types of peas are viny herbaceous plants with white or pink flowers and leaves consisting of two or three pairs of broad oval leaflets. Pea has been cultivated for thousands of years. FPK-KFRI: Climbing herb with tendrils. Leaves even-pinnate, 25 x 10 cm, chartaceous, glabrous; leaflets 2-3 pairs, sub(opposite), ovateoblong, 5 x 3 cm, base obtuse, margin coarsely toothed, apex acute; petiole 6 cm; rachis produced into a branched tendril; stipules foilaceous, larger than leaflets, oblong-lanceolate, 6 x 3 cm, toothed below and stem-clasping. Racemes to 10 cm, 2-3- flowered, or flower solitary. Calyx deeply 5-toothed, 1 cm long, glabrous; lobes oblong-acuminate, membranous. Corolla white, clawed; standard orbicular, 2 x 2.5 cm, apically notched; wings 1.8 x 1.2 cm; keels 1.5 x 0.8 cm. Stamens 9 + 1; sheath 1 cm; anthers uniform. Pistil glabrous, 0.6 cm; style apically dilated, margin reflexed, hairy on the inside near apex. Pod oblong, 8 x 1.5 cm, glabrous; seeds subglobose. Uses: On of the most commonly used Vegetable and Culinary with High Nutritive value. Recent Studies: XY Ye et al in 2000 has isolated a novel antifungal miraculin-like protein 'Sativin' from this plant. A Troszyńska et al in 2002 has analysed the Antioxidant Activity of Acetone Extract of Pisum sativum Seed Coat. The skin and seeds of P. sativum exhibited good antibacterial activity on a study conducted by Sabahat Saeed in 2005.

12.12.12 27: Milind's Shutterbug

Urena lobata L.. Malvaceae Common name: Caesarweed • Hindi: Bachita, Unga, Lapetua • Manipuri: সমপাকপী Sampakpi • Marathi: वनभॆडिं ी Vanbhendi • Tamil: Ottatti • Telugu: Nalla Benda, Pedda Benda • Kannada: Otte • Malayalam: •Oorppan, Uthiram, Uran, Vattooram Etymology: From the Malayalam name of the plant in Malabar 'Uram' or 'Uran' FOI: Caesarweed is a pantropical weed, having pink flowers like miniature hollyhocks. Many taxonomists now believe it evolved somewhere in Asia. Caesarweed grows to 2 meters in height. The lobed leaves are covered in star-shaped plant hairs which give the leaves a grayish color and raspy feel. The derivation of the common name is uncertain, but may have come from the Latin caesius "bluish-gray" or caesariatus "covered in hair". The ovary of the flower is five-carpellate. If pollinated, each carpel or chamber will produce a seed. The fruit, about a centimeter in diameter, is a flattened globe and dries when mature. It snaps easily from the plant and each of the five wedge-shaped mericarps separate. The outer surface of each mericarp is covered with glochids, minute hooked spines that cling to fabrics and fur and tangle in hair. FPK-KFRI: Erect branched subshrubs to 2m tall; stems densely stellate-pubescent. Leaves 3-10 x 3-9 cm, broadly to narrowly ovate, upper most leaves sometimes lanceolate, 3-5 angular to shallowly lobulate, truncate or cordate at base, margin obscurely crenate-serrate, 5-7nerved from base, sparsely stellate-pubescent above, densely stellate-pubescent below, with 1-3 elliptic nectaries on principal nerves, lobes generally acute or acuminate, varying in size; petioles 3-8 cm long, stellate-pubescent; stipules up to 4 mm long, linear to subulate. Flowers axillary, usually solitary, sometimes 2 or 3 in a cluster; pedicels 3-8 mm long. Involucral bracts 5, 5-6 x 1.5-2 mm, spathulate, connate at base, clothed with rigid hairs. Calyx 5-9 mm long, campanulate, 5-parted; lobes ovate-elliptic, margins pubescent. Corolla pink with dark center; petals to 15 x 9 mm, obovate with rounded apex, stellate-hairy without. Staminal column 8-10 mm long, pinkish; anthers pale pink. Ovary to 4 mm across, subglobose, stiff-hirsute; Stigmas capitate. Schizocarp 10-12 mm across, globose; mericarps 5, to 8 x 5 mm, trigonous, densely stellate-pubescent, also with many glochidate spines. Seeds to 4 mm long, reniform, angular. Uses: Urena has long been used for its fibre in Brazil, Roots are a popular diuretic; used externally for lumbago and rheumatism. Decoction of stem and root is used in windy colic. The flowers are used as a pectoral and expectorant in dry coughs. Infusion of flowers is used as a gargle for aphthae and sore-throat. Leaves are used in abscess in Rema-Kalenga. In Philippines, root decoction used to relieve colic. Infusion of root used internally as emollient and refrigerant, and externally for skin diseases associated with pain and inflammation. Decoction of 30-60 gms of dried roots used for enteritis and dysentery, rheumatic pains, tonsilitis. Boiled and pounded leaves used as poultice for bladder and intestinal inflammations.Decoction of roots and leaves used to soften the skin. In Tahiti, the plant used as emollient, and the flowers used as expectorant. Root used externally for lumbago and rheumatism. Decoction of seeds taken internally a vermifuge.Poultice of fresh leaves for snake bites, sprains, and bruises.In Nigeria used to treat diabetes.In Malaysia, extracts of leaves and roots used to treat abdominal colic, malaria, gonorrhea, fever, wounds, toothaches and rheumatism. In Malaysia, used for intestinal inflammation and as an emollient. Recent Studies: Studies by UK Mazumder et al in 2001 has revealed the Antibacterial activity of the Methanol extract of its roots. AK Yadav et al 2007 has studied its Antidiarrheal Activity. M Rinku et al 2009 analysed the Immunomodulatory activity of the methanolic extract of this plant.

11.12.12 26: Pravin Kawale

Pogostemon deccanensis (Panigrahi) Press Syn: Eusteralis deccanensis Lamiaceae Etymology: From Greek the meaning of the genus name is "bearded stamens" from "pogo" (bearded) and "stemon" (stamen) Common name: जािंभली मिंस्जरी Jambhli Manjiri (Marathi) FOI: Jambhli manjiri is a small erect aquatic herb which grows up to 8-20 cm high. Branched stems are leafy, and arise out of creeping rootstocks. Narrow stalk less leaves occur in whorls of 5 or more. Flowers occur in dense hairy branched spikes, 3-7 cm long. Flower tube is hairy and purple, 2-3 mm. Hairy purple stamens protrude out of the flowers. Recent Studies: Studies by JE Thoppil in 2003 revealed the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from this plant and his studies also revealed the Mosquito repellent activity of it.


Kavalama urens (Roxb.) Raf. Syn : Sterculia urens Sterculiaceae (B&H), Malvaceae (APG) Etymology: No info on the origin of Kavalama. Sterculia comes from Latin "Stercus" which indicates excrements and of Sterculius, the Roman God of toilets, in reference to the unpleasant smell emitted by the inflorescences of Sterculia foetida. Common name: Indian-tragacanth, gum karaya, Indian gum tragacanth • Hindi: Kulu कुलु • Kannada: Kurdu • Konkani: Pandruk • Tamil: Kavalam Tam • Malayalam: Paravakka • Telugu: Kavili • Marathi: Sardol • Rajasthani: Katila • Assamese: Odla • Gujarati: Kogdol • Oriya: Gudalo FOI: Gum karaya is a medium-sized, deciduous tree to 15 m in height, usually with a clean, crooked, short bole up to 2 m DBH; branches large, spreading; bark thick, greyish-white or reddish, smooth, shining with a thin, white transparent outer coat, peeling off in papery flakes. Leaves on long petioles, crowded at the ends of branches, palmately 5-lobed, 20-30 cm diameter; tomentose beneath, glabrous above, entire, acuminate; stipules caducous. Flowers greenish yellow, small, in terminal panicles; follicles 4-6, ovoid-oblong, about 2.5 cm diameter, coriaceous, red, covered with stinging hairs. Infact, the specific name urens means stinging in reference to the hairs on flowers. Fruit consists of 5 sessile, radiating, ovate-lanceolate hard, coriaceous carpels, 7.5 cm long, red when ripe, covered outside with many stiff bristles. Trees exude gum karaya used in foodstuffs as emulsifiers, stabilizers and thickeners. Seeds are eaten after roasting. Seeds and young tender roots are eaten in times of famine. Uses: A dry exudate from Sterculia urens known as gum karaya is one of the least soluble gums used for many industries such as petroleum and gas, textiles, paper and pulp, pharmaceuticals, medicine and several other products.


Laportea interrupta (L.) Chew Urticaceae Etymology: Laportea dedicated to François-L. de Laporte, 19th century entomologist Common name: Hen's Nettle, Hawai'i woodnettle, stinging nettle • Hindi: बबछाता bichata, बबछुआ bichua • Marathi: आग्या aagya • Tamil: சபரும்ைாஞ்சசாறி

perunkanchori • Malayalam: batti-schorigenam • Kannada: ಕಕಾಡು ಚುರು ಚುರಕನ ರ್ಗಡ kaadu

churuchurukana gida, ತುರಿಕೆರ್ಗಡ Turike gida, ಪಂಚರಂರ್ಗ Pancharangi • Konkani: खटकुटली khatkutli • Sanskrit: वश्र् ृ ित ् vrushrchat • Tulu: ಆಕಿರೆ Aakire FOI: Hen's Nettle is a small, hardly branched, slightly fleshy herb, bearing hairs which irritate the skin. The stem grows up to 20-80 cm tall. Leaves are ovate, narrow tipped, 6-9 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, on slender stalks up to 8 cm long. Leaves are rounded to nearly heartshaped at the base. Margins are coarsely serrated. Inflorescences on appear on stalks in leaf axils. Flowers are tiny, green, with most organs in 4 parts. Fruit is a heart- shaped achene. Flowering: July-August. FPK-KFRI: Erect monoecious annual herbs with stinging hairs. Leaves alternate, 4-10 x 3-5 cm, broadly ovate, base rounded or subcordate, margin coarsely serrate, apex acuminate, sparsely hairy, membranous, 3-nerved from base; petiole to 8 cm long. Flowers in short, cymose clusters aggregated in slender lax, axillary spikes to 13 cm long. Male flowers: tepals 4, c. 1 mm long, ovate, concave; stamens 4, filaments unequal; pistillode linear, clavate. Female flowers: tepals 4, unequal, basally connate into a cup; ovary obliquely attached, ovoid, style lateral, filiform. Achenes c. 2 mm across, ovoid, compressed. Recent Studies: Studies by D Holdsworth in 1987 has shown that Laportea interrupta is used to relieve whooping cough on the Papuan coast. A decoction of the plant is drunk to treat pneumonia or malaria. In some places Boiled young shoots of Laportea are eaten as vegetables.


Silene cashmeriana (Royle) Majumdar Caryophyllaceae Common name: Kashmir Campion Etymology: 1. Silene is the feminine form of Silenus, a Greek woodland deity. 2. From 'Sialon' in Greek means Saliva alluding to the Viscid stalks some species are having on which some small insectes are trapped. FOI: Kashmir Campion is a perennial herb, 50-70 cm tall. Stems are erect, densely shortly whitish hairy. Basal leaves wither away early. Stem leaves are stalkless, ovate or ovate-lanceshaped, 5-7.5 cm × 6-15 mm, both surfaces sparsely hairy, ciliate at margin, base narrow or nearly rounded, tip pointed or long-pointed. Flowers are borne in sparse, few flowered flat-topped clusters. Flower-stalks are slender, glandular hairy. Bracts are lanceshaped, herbaceous, glandular hairy. Sepal cup is pale green, bell-shaped, 1-1.7 cm × 7-9 mm; longitudinal veins violet-blue or brown, prominent, meeting at calyx teeth. Calyx teeth are triangular-ovate, 3-5 mm, margin membranous, ciliate, tip pointed or long-pointed. Petals protrude 6-8 mm beyond the sepal cup, yellowish green or pale green, 1.2-1.5 cm. Claws are saccate-oblanceolate, hairy at base, ears ovate. Limbs are broadly ovate, 5-8 mm, bifid. Petals are entire or fringed, with teeth or small lobes on each lateral side. Coronal scales are round, about 1.5 mm, slightly wavy at the tip. Stamens remain inside, about 1 cm. Styles are 4 or 5, about 3 mm. Kashmir Campion is found in the grasslands and scrublands in Kashmir, at altitudes of 3000-4100 m. Flowering: July-August.


Gypsophila cerastoides D.Don Caryphyllaceae Common name: Himalayan Baby's Breath, Chickweed baby's-breath Etymology: Greek origin, Gypsophila meaning Gypsum loving or Chalk loving, probably referring to the Habitats these plants growing. FOI: Himalayan Baby's Breath is a charming little wildflower which can be seen peeping out of rocks in the Himalayas, from Pakistan to Bhutan. It is closely related to the Baby's Breath which is used by florists as a filler in bouquets. It is a low-growing perennial herb with spreading stems, 8-20 cm long, bearing small, inverted-egg shaped leaves, and with numerous white flowers, often streaked with purple, borne in rounded branched clusters 1-2 cm across. Flowers are variable in size, can be as large as 1 cm across. Petals are inverted-egg shaped, shallowly notched at the tips. Sepals are hairy, stamens are 10 in number. Leaves are hairy, about 0.6-1.5 cm. Lower leaves have stalks, upper ones are stalkless. Himalayan Baby's Breath is found on river-banks, rocks and open slopes in the Himalayas at altitudes of 2100-4700 m. Flowering: May-July Uses: Gypsophilas are often grown as ornamental plants in gardens; they are grown both as garden plants and also valuable as a cut flower in floristry to add as a filler to flower bouquets.

06.12.12 21: Manoj Chandran

Thylacospermum caespitosum (Cambess.) Schischk. Caryophyllaceae Common Name: Cushion Plant Etymology: From the Greek word for sac 'Thylacos' and seed 'Sperma' alluding to the irregularly valved capsule in which seeds are found. Description from eFlora of China: Cushions ± semiglobose to nearly mat-forming, glabrous, 30--50 cm in diam. Stems very densely branched, 2--6 cm tall. Leaf blade ovate-lanceolate, 2--4 × ca. 2 mm, rigid, glossy, base joined to sheath, margin ciliate, apex mucronate. Flowers ca. 4 mm in diam. Sepals green, lanceolate, ca. 2.5 × 1 mm, 3-veined, apex obtuse or acuminate. Petals ovate-oblong, margin entire. Disc yellow, orbicular, fleshy. Stamens shorter than sepals. Capsule glossy yellow, globose, 2.5--3 mm. Seed light brown, ca. 1.5 mm. Fl. Jun--Jul, fr. Jul--Aug.

05.12.12 20: Alka Khare Narcissus tazetta L. Amaryllidaceae Common name: Daffodil, Narcissus, Jonquil, Lent lily • Hindi: नधगिि Nargis • Urdu: ‫ نرگس‬Nargis Etymology: Named after Greek Mythological charecter Narcissus, the most handsome boy who fell in love with his own reflection in a river and reluctant to leave it and died there. His body was transformed in to beautiful flowers on riversides by God. Hence the origin of Daffodils Narcissus pseudonarcissus. FOI: Commonly known in India as Nargis, daffodils are lilylike perennials with numerous narrow, straplike leaves, and a single flowering stalk, all arising from a subterranean bulb. Leaves grow upward, then droop out and down, and range from 6-30 inch in length. Flower stalks range from 4 in tall in the miniature varieties, up to 24 in tall in standard varieties. There can be from one to a dozen or more flowers per stalk. Flower colors are mostly white and yellow, but some kinds have orange, pink or red coronas. There are about 50 species of daffodils, and many thousands of named cultivars and hybrids of garden origin. Daffodils originated in Portugal, Spain, the southern coast of France and the northern coast of Morocco. USES: Widely grown as a house plant for its fragrant yellow and white flowers. An essential oil obtained from the flowers is used in perfumery. The root is emetic. It is used to relieve headaches. The chopped root is applied externally as an antiphlogistic and analgesic poultice to abscesses, boils and other skin complaints. The plant has a folklore of effectiveness against certain forms of cancer. This might be due to benzaldehyde changing to laetrile-like compounds or to lycorine changing to lycobetaine-like compounds in the body. Recent Studies: L SM Ooi et al in 2000 has succeded in isolation of three lectins with similar N-terminal amino acid sequences from the bulbs of the Chinese daffodil Narcissus tazetta. His studies in 1998 has resulted in Isolation and characterization of a mannose-binding lectin from its leaves. Studeis by T. S. Papas et al 1973 has proved that An alkaloid extract of this plant, inhibits the purified DNA polymerase from Avian myeloblastosis virus.

04.12.12 19: Suman Neupane

Drosera burmanni Vahl Droseraceae Etymology: From Greek of Dew 'Droseros', alluding to the Galndular hairs resembling as it coverd with dew Common name: Burmann's Sundew • Hindi: मुखजली mukhajali • Marathi: दवबबिंद ु davabindu • Telugu: బురద బూచి burada buchi, కవర మొగి kavara mogga • Kannada: ಹುಳ ಹಿಡಕ ರ್ಗಡ hula hidaka gida, ಕಿಿಮಿಬಮಧ krimibamdha FOI: Burmann's Sundew is a small, compact insectivorous plant, normally spanning only 2 cm. It is probably named for N.L. Burmann, 18th century Dutch botanist. It is one of the fastest insect-trapping sundews, and its leaves can curl around an insect in only a few seconds, compared to the minutes or hours it takes other sundews to surround their prey. The leaves all lie flat on the ground in a rosette. The are 6-12 mm long, narrow at the base. The upper surface is covered with sticky glands which trap insects and digest them. Tiny flowers arise on a leafless scape, 5-20 cm long, arising from leaf axils. Burmann's Sundew produces large amounts of seed. Flowering: September-December. FPK-KFRI: Acaulescent herbs. Leaves to 10 x 8 mm, obovate, obtuse, prostrate, densely covered with glandular hairs, greenish pink; petiole absent. Flowers few in erect racemes; scape 6-8 cm high; calyx glandular; petals 3 mm across, white; stamens 5; ovary ovoid; style apically lobed. Capsule 6 x 4 mm, obovoid; seeds black. Recent Studies: B Hema etal 2009 established the anti-epileptic effect of the ethanolic extract of this plant. V. Madhavan et al 2009 has established its antifertility activity on ethanol extracts. In a recent study by A Raju et al 2012 the Antitumor activity of ethanol and aqueous extracts was established on mouse models.

03.12.12 18: Balakrishnan Veeranchira

Uvaria narum (Dunal) Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thoms. Annonaceae Etymology: From Latin of a Bunch of Grapes 'Uva' alluding to the resemblance of fruits to a bunch of Grapes Common name: South-Indian Uvaria • Kannada: bugadee balli, bugadee hoo, gunavaara • Malayalam: Narumpanal, Kureel • Marathi: kala-apkara • Sanskrit: Neelavalli, Valeeshakhota • Tamil: puliccan, pulikkan FOI: South-Indian Uvaria is a large woody stellately pubescent straggling shrub with dark bluish green leaves. Leaves are oblong lanceolate , pointed or long-pointed, hairless on both sides, stalks short, less than 6 mm. Crushed leaves smell like cinnamon. Flowers are reddish, solitary, at branch ends or leaf-opposed, 2.5 cm in diameter. Stamens have anthers concealed by the overlapping connectives. Carpels are numerous , scarlet-red; seeds chestnut brown. South-Indian Uvaria is found in Western ghats from Maharashtra southwards up to an altitude of 1,200 m. FPK-KFRI: Scandent shrubs, branchlets sparsely hairy. Leaves 13-16 x 4-5 cm, elliptic, lanceolate, apex acuminate, base rounded, thin coriaceous, lower surface brownish. Flowers solitary, leaf opposed; pedicels to 1 cm, tomentose; sepals 8 x 5 mm, broadly ovate, tomentose, basally connate; petals fleshy, outer 2 x 1.5 cm; inner 2 x 1 cm, obovate, tomentose, apex incurved, golden-brown; anthers concealed by connectives; carpels numerous, 5 mm, oblong, tomentose. Uses: Root and leaves-used in intermittent fevers, biliousness, jaundice; also in rheumatic affections; bruised in salt water, used in skin diseases. A decoction of the root bark is given to women to control fits at the time of delivery. Recent Studies: A Hisham et al 1991 Isolated Acetogenins from root bark of it, TK Bindu et al 1998 established the Antifungal activity of Uvaria narum extracts and S Padayana et al 2011 has evaluated the antibacterial and antioxidant properties. There are several novel phytochemicals isolated from the root bark and leaves of this plant.


Swertia angustifolia var. pulchella (D. Don) Burkill Gentianaceae Etymology: Swertia is named in honor of Emanuel Sweert (rarely spelled Swert, 1552–1612), a Dutch gardener and illustrator who published an important florilegium in the early 1600s, an extremely popular catalog of plant illustrations that contributed to the heady days of Tulip Mania. Common Name: Chiratha (Malayalam) FOI: Narrow-Leaved Swertia is an annual herb, 20-80 cm tall. Roots are yellow, fibrous. Stems are erect, subquadrangular, narrowly winged on angles, branched. Leaves are stalkless, lanceshaped to elliptic-lanceshaped, 2-6 cm × 3-12 mm, both ends flat, veins 1-3. Inflorescences panicles of cymes, spreading branched, many flowered. Flowers are 4-merous. Pedicel erect, 3-7 mm. Calyx tube 1-2 mm, sepals linear-lanceolate, 6-8 mm, apex acute, midvein 1-3. Flowers are white or pale yellow, with brown spots, 8-9 mm in diameter, tube 1-2 mm. Petals are 4-6.5 mm, tip blunt and apiculate. Nectaries 1 per corolla lobe, pocket-shaped, with an orbicular scale and many minutely hairy short fimbriae at apex of pocket. Filaments 3.5-4 mm; anthers ellipsoid, ca. 1 mm. Style short, distinct; stigma lobes capitate. Capsules ovoid, 5-7 mm. Seeds are brown, ellipsoid, about 0.6 mm. Flowering: August-November. FPK-KFRI: Branched herb; stem 4-angled, angles narrowly winged. Leaves lanceolate, 4 x 1.5 cm, estipulate, sessile, chartaceous, glabrous, 3-ribbed, base acute-cuneate, apex acutely acuminate. Panicles to 6 cm, axillary, also terminal; peduncles to 7 cm. Calyx-lobes 4, lanceolate, 5 mm, imbricate. Corolla white with blue or violetish spots distally on the lobes; tube 1.5 mm; lobes 4, broadly elliptic, obtuse, 9 x 4 mm, twisted; nectary basal, fimbriate at mouth and covered by a ciliate scale; glands orbicular, 1 mm wide. Stamens 4. Ovary 1-celled; ovules numerous, on parietal placentae; stigma 2-lobed. Recent Studies: Studies has revealed that the plant contains xanthones, angustins,angustiamarin, angustioside, sweroside, swertiamarin, and epi-eustomoside. Its extract is found to be helping the metals for corrosion resisting. A study by D.R. Chhetri et al has showed it as one among the Antidiabetic plants used by Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayan tribes.

01.12.12 16: Anand Amembal

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Malvaceae Etymology: From Latin of Marsh Mallow "Hibiscum" or from Greek of Marsh Mallow "Ibiskos" Common name: Red Sorrel, Roselle, Florida cranberry, Indian sorrel, Jamaican sorrel • Hindi: पटवा Patwa, लाल अम्बरी Lal ambari • Manipuri: ধসচলা হসৌগৈী Silo sougree • Marathi: Patwa • Tamil: Sivappukkasuru, Simaikkasuru • Malayalam: Pulichchai • Telugu: Ettagomgura, Yerragogu • Kannada: Pulichakeere, Pundibija • Bengali: হমস্তা Mesta • Assamese: Chukiar. FOI: Red Sorrel is a species of hibiscus native to India and South-East Asia, and now cultivated world over. It is an annual or perennial herb or woody-based subshrub, growing to 2–2.5 m tall. The leaves are deeply three- to five-lobed, 8–15 cm long, arranged alternately on the stems. The flowers are 8–10 cm in diameter, pink with a dark red spot at the base of each petal, and have a stout fleshy sepal cup at the base, 1.5–2 cm wide, enlarging to 3–3.5 cm, fleshy and bright red as the fruit matures. It is an annual plant, and takes about six months to mature. The red calyces of the plant are increasingly exported to America and Europe, where they are used as food colourings. FPK-KFRI: Unarmed, erect shrub, to 3 m high; stems glabrous or sparsely pubescent, green or reddish purple. Leaves 4-11 x 0.5-1.5 cm, polymorphic, entire or palmately 3-5 fid, partite or lobed; midlobe lanceolate or oblong, longer than the rest, cuneate at base, serrate at margin, acute at apex, glabrous; midnerve with a nectary at base beneath, reddish purple or green. Petioles 2-8 cm long, green or reddish purple; stipules linear-subulate, ca 1.5 cm long. Flowers axillary, solitary or in racemose panicles by reduction of upper leaves. Pedicels 1.5-2 cm long, jointed near base, glabrous. Epicalyx lobes 8-12, adnate to base of calyx, lanceolate to oblong-elliptic, green or purple, persistent. Calyx campanulate, 1.5-4 cm long, becoming fleshy after anthesis; lobes usually smooth or with a few bristles, green or purple, 3-nerved with a nectary on midnerve, persistent. Corolla 4-5 cm across, yellow with a purple centre. Petals orbicular, 4-5 cm, glabrous. Staminal column shorter than petals. Ovary ovoid, ca 3 mm across, appressed-hairy; stigmas glabrous. Capsules ovoid, ca 1.5 cm across, densely strigose; seeds reniform, furfuraceous. Uses: The plant is considered to have antihypertensive properties. In some places, the plant is primarily cultivated for the production of bast fibre from the stem of the plant. The fibre may be used as a substitute for jute in making burlap.Hibiscus, specifically Roselle, has been used in folk medicine as a diuretic, mild laxative, and treatment for cardiac and nerve diseases and cancer. The red calyces of the plant are increasingly exported to America and Europe, where they are used as food colourings. Germany is the main importer. It can also be found in markets (as flowers or syrup) in some places such as France, where there are Senegalese immigrant communities. The green leaves are used like a spicy version of spinach. They give flavour to the Senegalese fish and rice dish thiéboudieune. In Burma their green leaves are the main ingredient in making chin baung kyaw curry. In East Africa, the calyx infusion, called "Sudan tea", is taken to relieve coughs. Roselle juice, with salt, pepper, asafetida and molasses, is taken as a remedy for biliousness. Uses: The heated leaves are applied to cracks in the feet and on boils and ulcers to speed maturation. A lotion made from leaves is used on sores and wounds. The seeds are said to be diuretic and tonic in action and the brownish-yellow seed oil is claimed to heal sores on camels. In India, a decoction of the seeds is given to relieve dysuria, strangury and mild cases of dyspepsia. Brazilians attribute stomachic, emollient and resolutive properties to the bitter roots. Caribbean sorrel drink is made from sepals of the roselle. In Malaysia, roselle calyces are harvested fresh to produce pro-health drink due to high contents of vitamin C and anthocyanins. In Mexico, 'agua de Flor de Jamaica' (water flavored with roselle) frequently called "agua de Jamaica" is most often homemade. The plants are rich in anthocyanins, as well as protocatechuic acid. The dried calyces contain the flavonoids gossypetin, hibiscetine and sabdaretine. The major pigment, formerly reported as hibiscin, has been identified as daphniphylline. Small amounts of myrtillin (delphinidin 3-monoglucoside), Chrysanthenin (cyanidin 3-monoglucoside), and delphinidin are also present. Roselle seeds are a good source of lipid-soluble antioxidants, particularly gamma-tocopherol.

30.11.12 15: Blaise Pereira

Lobelia nicotianifolia Roth ex Schult. Campanulaceae Common Name : Wild Tobacco It is common plant found growing at the margins of ever green forest Wild Tobacco is a tall, erect, much branched, somewhat hairy herb, which grows to 1.5-3 m in height. The leaves, resembling those of tobacco, are narrowly obovate-lanceolate, the lower ones being 30X5 cm, while the upper ones gradually become smaller. The flowers are large, white, and borne in terminal racemes 30-50 cm long. Flowers are 3-4 cm long, two-lipped. The sepal are smooth or hairy, narrow, about 1.2 cm long. The capsules are 2-celled, somewhat rounded, and about 1.5 cm in diameter. The seeds are numerous very small, ellipsoid, and compressed. Uses: Lobelia nicotianifolia is used in India to treat bronchitis, asthma, and insect and scorpion bites and to induce nausea and vomiting.


Pogostemon deccanensis (Panigrahi) Press Common Name : Jambhali manjiri (Marathi) Family : Lamiaceae Flowering period : Aug. - Nov. It forms beautiful carpet on moist wastelands and post harvested rice fields It is a small erect acquatic herb which grows up to 8-20 cm high. Branched stems are leafy, and arise out of creeping root stocks. Narrow sessile leaves occur in whorls of 5 or more. Flowers occur in dense hairy branched spikes, 3-7 cm long. Flower tube is hairy and purple, 23 mm. Hairy purple stamens with white anthers protrude out of the flowers. it adds beauty to flowers.


Campanula latifolia L. Campanulaceae Common Name : Large Bell Flower Distribution : Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Western Ghats in India Flowering Season : July - August It is perennial herb, a handsome leafy plant bearing elegant spikes of large, nodding, dark blue-purple, bell-shaped flowers. Flowers are 4-5 cm long, borne in a spike at the top of stems 0.5-2 m. Stem leaves are nearly stalkless, 5-12 cm long, ovate or lance-shaped with a rounded base, with toothed margin. Large Bellflower is found in shrubberies and forests at altitudes of 2100-3600 m.

27.11.2012 12: Nitin Dongarwar

Pinda concanensis (Dalzell) P.K.Mukh. & Constance Syn. Hercleum pinda Apiaceae Common name : Konkan pinda, Pand (Marathi) It forms beautiful carpet at kaas in last week of August Konkan Pinda is an annual herb with tuberous roots, which grows up to 1-2 ft high. It has short branched stems. Pinnate leaves are 10-20 cm long, 3-4 cm ovate, toothed, 3-lobed leaflets. White flowers are 1 cm across, and are arranged in beautiful compound umbels 5-10 cm across. Petals of outer flowers are larger, and 8-10 mm, obovate, 2-lobed. Occasionally seen on the edges of cliffs in forest clearings in the Western Ghats.

26.11.12 11: Alka Khare Centaurea cyanus L. Asteraceae Common name: Cornflower, Bachelor's button The attractive flowers of the cornflower are a bright celebratory blue, distinctive enough to have given its name to a colour. The narrow grey-green leaves, no more than five millimeters wide, grow alternatively up the stem. The closed, emerging flower heads resemble other members of the knapweed family to which the cornflower is closely related. In the early years of the twentieth century, cornflowers were common in Britain and, together with red poppies and white-flowering Mayweed, must have made a patriotic sight across parts of the countryside. The nickname "cornflower" comes from the fact that the plant grows wild in the grain fields of southern Europe. When Napoleon forced Queen Louise of Prussia from Berlin, she hid her children in a cornfield and kept them entertained and quiet by weaving wreaths of cornflowers. One of her children, Wilheim, later became the emperor of Germany. Remembering his mother's bravery, he made the cornflower a national emblem of unity.


Begonia malabarica Lam. Begoniaceae Etymology: Genus- Named by Plumier for Michel Bégon (1638-1710), French governor of Santo Domingo (Haiti) and a patron of Botany. Malabarica: Alluding to the Erstwhile Malabar Region Common Names: Kalpuli,Janaamkolli,Kayyalapulian, Malayamkizhangu, Minukki, Muthalminuki FPK-KFRI: Shrubs, to 2 m high; stem terete, glabrous. Leaves to 15 x 8 cm, ovate, strongly unequal at base, toothed and serrate along the margins, hispid; petiole to 6 cm long; stipule 13 x 5 mm, lanceolate. Peduncles to 3 cm, axillary; cymes 5-10 cm across, dichotomous. Flowers many; male sepals 2, 15 mm across, orbicular, pink; anthers 2 mm long, connective produced into a orbicular appendage; female sepals 7 x 13 mm, reniform. Capsule 2 x 1.5 cm, wings obtuse. Recent Studies: A study in 2009 by Pandikumar P, Babu NP and Ignacimuthu S, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Tamil Nadu, India. has proved its hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects

24.11.12 09: Nitin Dongarwar

Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand Asclepiadaceae (B&H), Apocynaceae (APG) Common name: Rubber bush, apple of Sodom, Aak आक (Hindi), Mudar मुदर (Hindi), Erukk എരുക്കു് (Malayalam and Tamil) Etymology: Calotropis originated from the Greek 'Kalo' Means Beautiful and 'Tropis' means A Keel, referring to the Beautiful Keel or Corona it have. FOI: Spreading shrub or small tree to 4 m, exuding copious milky sap when cut or broken; leaves opposite, grey-green, large up to 15 cm long and 10 cm broad, with a pointed tip, two rounded basal lobes and no leaf stalk; flowers waxy white, petals 5, purple-tipped inside and with a central purplish crown, carried in stalked clusters at the ends of the branches; fruit grey-green, inflated, 8 to 12 cm long, containing numerous seeds with tufts of long silky hairs at one end. Shrubs, mostly less than 6 ft., but up to 15 ft.; similar to C. gigantea, but leaves oblong to elliptic, corolla usually about 1 in. across with lobes more erect, corona lobes glabrous or pubescent, and follicle 4-5 in. long. Its Dominance in any area is an indicator of overgrazing. The floss from the fruits can be used to stuff pillows . Heavily used for a variety of diseases in India, including dysentery, leprosy, elephantiasis, syphilis. The fine wood ash was once used in gunpowder. Wikipedia: The fruit is described by the Roman Jewish historian Josephus, who saw it growing near Sodom: "...as well as the ashes growing in their fruits; which fruits have a color as if they were fit to be eaten, but if you pluck them with your hands, they dissolve into smoke and ashes." (Whiston 1737: Book IV chapter 8 section 4). Uses: The milky sap contains a complex mix of chemicals, some of which are steroidal heart poisons known as "cardiac aglycones". These belong to the same chemical family as similar chemicals found in foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea). The steroidal component includes an hydroxyl group in the C3β position, a second attached to the C14 carbon, a C/D-cis ring junction and an α,β-unsaturated-γ-lactone in the C17 position. In the plants, the steroidal component is commonly attached via a glycosidic link to a 2-desoxy or a 2,6-didesoxy sugar molecule. The features described are those required for toxicity but in addition there can be other substitutions into the steroid nucleus. These can be a C19-aldehyde in place of the more usual methyl group in this position as well as additional hydroxyl functions and sometimes epoxide structures.


Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Hér. Geraniaceae Common name: Common Storksbill, Redstem Filaree, heron's-bill, Pinweed Etymology: Erodium originate from Greek word erodios means heron or stork, for the long beak of the fruit resembles the long neck of Heron or stork; cicutarium, like cicuta, for the leaves similar to the plant Cicuta. FOI: Common Storksbill is an annual herb, 4-40 cm long, erect or straggling, velvety, with reddish stems. Leaves are 2-5 cm long, 8-27 mm wide, pinnately cut, velvety. Segments are pinnately cut into small acute lobes. Stipules are broad lanceshaped-ovate, 2.5-5 mm long, ciliate, velvety. Flower clusters are carried on 1.5-6.5 cm long stalks. They 2-8-flowered, reflexed in fruit. Sepals are 3-4 mm long, up to 6 mm in fruit, ovatelanceshaped, glandular-velvety, margin membranous. Petals, scarcely exceeding the sepals, are obovate, reddishpurple, wedge-shaped, claw ciliate, apex 1-2-setose. Filaments (of functional stamens) are 2.5 mm long, base dilated, sparsely velvety. Staminodes are shorter, lanceshaped, hairless. Mericarps are 5.5 mm long, with bristle-like berect yellow hairs. Fruit beak is about 4 cm long, which gives the plant its common name. Common Storksbill is found in meadows, flood plains, gravel areas, disturbed areas in parts of the Himalayas, at altitudes of 700-2200 m. Flowering: June-July. Wikipedia: The entire plant is edible with a flavor similar to sharp parsley if picked young. The plant is widespread across North America. The plant grows as an annual in the northern half of North America. In the Southern areas of North America, the plant tends to grow as a biennial with a more erect habit and with much larger leaves, flowers and fruits. It flowers from May until August. It is a hairy, sticky annual. The stems bear bright pink flowers, arranged in loose cluster, and often have dark spots on the bases. The leaves are pinnate and fern-like, and the long seed-pod, shaped very much like the bill of a stork, bursts open in a spiral when ripe, sending the seeds (which have little feathery parachutes attached) into the air. Seed launch is accomplished using a spring mechanism powered by shape changes as the fruits dry . The spiral shape of the awn can unwind during daily changes in humidity, leading to self-burial of the seeds once they are on the ground. The two tasks (springy launch and self-burial) are accomplished with the same tissue (the awn), which is hygroscopically active and warps upon wetting and also gives rise to the draggy hairs on the awn.

22.11.12 07: Blaise Pereira

Zingiber cernuum Dalzell Zingiberaceae Etymology: The English name ginger comes from French: gingembre, Old English: gingifere, Medieval Latin: ginginer, Greek: zingíberis (ζιγγίβερις). Ultimately the origin is from Tamil word 'inji ver' (இஞ்சி லவர்) or Malayalam word 'inji veru' (ഇഞ്ചി ‍വര്). Inji in Malayalam means Pungent Tasting and The botanical term for root in Tamil is ver (லவர்) and Malayalam is veru (‍വര്), hence inji root or inji ver. Common name: Curved-Stem Ginger, Nodding-stem ginger • Gujarati: જગલી ં આદં jungali aadu • Marathi: रान आले raan-ale FOI: Curved-Stem Ginger is a large perennial herb, 1-2 m tall, with curved stem. Leaves are 15-30 cm, narrow-elliptic, long-pointed. Flowers are borne in spikes 5-10 cm long, directly from the rootstock, rising just above the ground. Bracts are 2-3 cm long, greenishyellow. Sepal cup is shortly 3-lobed. Flowers are creamish, variegated with red, with the lib broad and 3-lobed. Stamen is one with short filament. Style is threadlike. Flowers open at night. Capsules are 1 cm long, smooth with red, channeled seeds. Curved-Stem Ginger is found in the evergreen forests of Western Ghats. Description From Kew.org: Overview: Perennial herb, up to about 1–2 m. Leafy stems are bright green and always curved at the tip.Leaves: Oblong-lanceolate, smooth on both sides.Flowers: Borne directly from the rootstock, appearing just above the ground. The lip is variegated red and white and the side lobes are variegated red and yellow.Fruits: Yellowish-white and smooth. Seeds are red and striated (marked with fine, longitudinal grooves) when unripe. Uses: Z. cernuum is a source of Resistance genes against diseases of Ginger like Soft rot in Resistance breeding.


Saccharum bengalense Retz

Poaceae Etymology: The Genus name Saccharum Has been Believed to originated from 1. Malayalam for Sugar 'Shakkara'; 2: Greek for Sugarjuce 'sakharon'; 3: Sanskrit for Sugar 'Sharkara'; 4: Arabic name for sugar 'Soukar' Synonyms: Erianthus bengalensis (Retz.) Bharadw., Basu Chaudh. & Sinha; Erianthus bengalensis (Retz.) Hubbard. & Vaughn ex Stewart; Erianthus ciliaris (Andersson) Jeswiet; Erianthus ciliaris var. ciliaris; Erianthus ciliaris var. elegans Jeswiet; Erianthus elegans (Jeswiet) Rümke; Erianthus munja (Roxb.) Jeswiet; Erianthus procerus var. elegans (Jeswiet ex Backer) Mukherjee; Erianthus sara (Roxb.) Rümke; Imperata sara (Roxb.) Schult.; Ripidium bengalense (Retz.) Grassl; Saccharum ciliare Andersson; Saccharum elegans (Jeswiet ex Backer) Veldkamp; Saccharum moonja Royle; Saccharum munja Roxb.;Saccharum sara Roxb. Common Names: Sarkanda, Munj Sweetcane • Hindi: िरकन्द्डा sarkanda, मूिंज moonj, munj, कािंि kans FOI Details: Munj Sweetcane Tall is a perennial herb with stems up to 4 m tall. Leaves are up to 3 ft long, 3-10 mm wide, flat or markedly channelled, the midrib occupying the greater part of the width, glaucous. Flower panicles are 20-75 cm long. Racemes are 2-4 cm long, considerably shorter than the supporting branches, the internodes and flower-stalks are hirsute with hairs up to 7 mm long. Spikelets are slightly heteromorphous, 3.8-5.5 mm long, the callus bearded with whitish or greyish hairs up to 2.5 mm long; glumes equal, membranous, lower glume of sessile spikelet hairy on the back, the upper glume glabrous, both glumes of pedicelled spikelet hairy, the hairs at least 4 mm long, often up to 9 mm; lower lemma oblong- elliptic, hairy on the back; upper lemma ovate-lanceolate, ciliate on the margins, acute or very shortly awned, the awn not visible beyond the glumes. Flowering: October-January. Wikipedia: Saccharum bengalense, alternatively Saccharum bengalensis, is a plant of the sugarcane genus found in India. It is also known as baruwa sugarcane or baruwa grass. One of its main ranges is in northern India, specifically in the grasslands of the Terai-Duar. It is a food source for animals such as the Indian rhinoceros and the pygmy hog. This small species of sugarcane bamboo is colored pinkishgreen, and is usually around two or three feet tall.

Saccharum spontaneum L Poaceae

Common Names: Common name: Kans grass • Hindi: कािंि Kaans • Manipuri: ঈ Ee • Tamil: Pekkarimpu • Telugu: Kaki ceruku • Marathi: Kamis • Bengali: Kansh • Kannada: Kadu kabbu • Malayalam: Nannana • Gujarati: Kansado FOI Details: Kans grass is a grass native to South Asia. It is a perennial grass, growing up to three meters in height, with spreading rhizomatous roots. Leaves are harsh and linear, 0.5 to 1 meter long; 6 to 15 mm wide. Inflorescence are plumose panicles, which are white and erect, measuring 15-30 cm long, with slender and whorled branches, the joints covered with soft white hair. In the Terai region, Kans grass quickly colonises exposed silt plains created each year by the retreating monsoon floods, forming almost pure stands on the lowest portions of the floodplain. Kans grasslands are an important habitat for the Indian Rhinoceros. The reeds are made into mats, screens, and thatch roofs.

FPK-KFRI: Perennials. Culms to 3 m high, erect, rhizomatous, nodes waxy. Leaves 45-110 x 0.6-1.2 cm, linear-lanceolate, base rounded, margins serrulate, apex accuminate, involute, glaucous; sheaths to 40 cm long, silky villous at the collar; ligules 4-5 mm long, ovate, membranous. Panicles 20-32 cm long, densely silky white. Spikelets paired, one sessile and the other pedicelled, similar, 3-4 mm long, lanceolate, reddish-brown; callus densely long villous. Lower glume 3-4 x 1 mm, ovate-lanceolate, subcoriaceous, margins hyaline, ciliate. Upper glume 3-4 x 1 mm, ovate-lanceolate, dorsally keeled, margins ciliate. Lower floret empty. Upper floret bisexual. First lemma c. 2 x

1 mm, ovate-acute, hyaline. Second lemma 2-2.5 mm long, linear-lanceolate, hyaline. Stamens 3; anthers yellow or reddish. Ovary oblong; stigma white. Pedicelled spikelets similar to sessile ones. Uses: Saccharum spontaneum is reagrded as very important source of Resistance gene for Breeding of Sugarcane especillay Genes for Disease resistance. The Red rot of sugar cane which created Havoc in sugar indusdry has been controlled by introduction of the Red rot resistance gene from S. spontaneum to S. officinarum. This work was supervised by the Great Indian Botanist EK Janaki Ammal.


Androcorys josephi (Rchb.f.) Agrawala & H.J.Chowdhery Orchidaceae Synonym: Herminium josephi Common Name: Joseph's Herminium FOI: Nil Nomenclature: First Described as Hermenim josephi in 1872 by Reichenbach and Heinrich Gustav. It was transfred to the Genus Androcorys in 2010 by D. K. Agrawala, H. J. Chowdhery and S. Chaudhury thus making it Androcorys josephi Etymology: Androcorys meaning Covered Male or May be due to Androecium in a helmet like covering Flower Size .2 to .25" [5 to 7mm] Details from orchidspecies.com: Found in China, Eastern Himalayas, Nepal and Bhutan in open grassy clearings in juniper forests at elevations of 2800 to 4500 meters as a miniature to small sized, cold growing terrestrial with globose-ovoid tubers giving rise to an erect stem carrying 2 occasionally 3, basal, subopposite, linear-oblong to oblong-elliptic, subacute to acute, sessile leaves in the lower third and ebracteate above that blooms in the late spring and summer on an erect, 1.6 to 3.4" [4 to 8.5 cm] long, densely to subdensely many flowered inflorescence with small, ovate, subacute, floral bracts.


Psydrax umbellata (Wight) Bridson Rubiaceae Common name: Umbelled Canthium • Marathi: Arsul • Tamil: Nallamandharam, Alampamaram • Malayalam: Irumbarappan, njanjul, anakombi • Sanskrit: Kari Synonyms: C. umbellatum, C. umbellulatum, Plectronia umbellata Etymology: The generic name Psydrax is derived from the Greek word for blister or bump in reference to the warty fruit or the pimply seeds of some species in this genus. FOI: The genus name Canthium is derived from the Malay word 'canti', which was the name given to a tree in Malacca which was the first described species of the genus. Umbelled Canthium is a small unarmed tree, commonly found in peninsular India. Young branches are 4sided, leaves ovate, sharp tipped. White fragrant flowers occur in leaf axils, umbelled on a short thick peduncle. Sepal cup is egg shaped, with the margin with 5 small teeth. Flower-tube is hairy within. Petals, 4 in number, spread out. The style prominently protrudes out, capped by a 2-lobed spherical, or rather mitre-shaped stigma. Fruit is obovate. Flowering: September-December. FPK-KFRI: Evergreen trees, bark yellowish-grey, shallowly fissured; blaze pale brown; branchlets tetragonous. Leaves simple, opposite decussate; stipules interpetiolar, connate; petiole 6-10 mm, stout, glabrous; lamina 8-15 x 3-6 cm, elliptic, lanceolate, elliptic-oblong, elliptic-obovate, oblong-lanceolate, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, base acute or attenuate, apex acuminate, caudate-acuminate or obtusely acuminate, margin entire, glabrous, coriaceous; lateral nerves 3-6 pairs, pinnate, slender, faint; intercostae reticulate, faint. Flowers bisexual, white, in axillary, compact umbels; peduncle 5 mm long, stout; calyx tube short, 5-toothed; corolla tube campanulate; lobes 5, valvate, reflexed; anthers 5, subsessile on the mouth of the corolla; ovary inferior, 2-celled, ovules one in each cell; style columnar; stigma capitate. Fruit a drupe, 1.2 cm long, ovoid, black; pyrenes 1-2.


Striga gesnerioides (Willd.) Vatke Scrophulariaceae (B&H), Orobranchaceae (APG) Common name: Purple Witchweed, Cowpea Witchweed, Indigo witchweed, Tobacco witchweed • Hindi: शमतिी Missi • Marathi: बिंबाकू Bambaku Etymology: From the Latin word 'Strix' meaning Witch or Evil Spirit. May be owing to the root parasitic nature of the plant. FOI: Purple Witchweed is a root hemiparasite of wild and cultivated legumes, among which cowpea (lobiya) is a suitable host. Usually found on sandy soil. It is a small erect herb, about 15-30 cm high. It parasitic root are tuberous. Many erect, fleshy stems are reddish purple and tapering. Leaves are like scales, dark reddish purple, serve as flower bracts. Numerous pink, stalkless flowers occur in erect densely flowered spikes. Flower tube is 1 cm long and curved. The flower is 2-lipped - the upper lip is deeply divided, and the lower one is 3-lobed. Flowering: August-January FPK-KFRI: Erect parasitic herbs; dark brown when dry. Leaves reduced to scales, 8 mm long, lanceolate, obtuse, sessile. Spikes terminal, to 20 cm long; bracts 6 mm; bracteoles 2 mm; flowers pink; calyx tube 5 mm, lobes 2 mm, lanceolate, acute, hairy; corolla tube 11 mm, slightly pubescent above the middle, lobes 6 mm, subequal, obovate; filaments 1 mm; anthers 1 mm; ovary 2 mm, oblong, style 4 mm, stigma thickened. Capsule 6 x 4 mm, beaked with persistent style.

17.11.12 02: Shiva Prakash Nedle

Naregamia alata Wight & Arn. Meliaceae Common names: Goanese Ipecac, Goanese ipecacuanh • Hindi: पपत्तमारी pitmari, तीनपणी tinparni • Malayalam: നില്നാരകം nilanarakam • Kannada: ನೆಲ್ಬೆೇವು nelabevu • Konkani: पपत्तमारी pitmari, तीनपानी tinpani • Sanskrit: अम्लवल्ली amlavalli, बत्रपर्णिक triparnika Etymology: From Malayalam Name of the Plant 'Nila naregam' which means Floor lemon. FPK-KFRI: Prostrate woody herbs. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets 1.5-2.5 x 0.6-1.2 cm, obovate, laterals oblique, base cuneate, margins entire to serrate, apex obtuse; petioles 1.5-2.5 cm long, winged. Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicel short. Calyx 5-lobed; lobes 3-4 mm long, lanceolate. Petals 5, white, 1.5-1.8 cm long, spathulate. Disc annular. Staminal tube 1.8-2 cm long, cylindric, inflated at top, white with 10 yellow teeth at margins; anthers 10, sessile at the apex of the tube. Ovary 3-celled; ovules 2 in each cell; style filiform; stigma capitate. Capsule 4-5 mm diam., ovoid to subglobose, 3-valved. Seeds c. 1 mm across. curved, truncate at both ends.

16.11.12 01: Rajesh sachdev

Abutilon spp Malvaceae A genus of trees & shrubs, native to tropical and warm temperate climates, whose members have hairy leaves & branches. Bright lantern-like flowers, mainly orange, yellow or red.The fruit is schizocarp and the stigmas are usually apical.

Indian Flora Group

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