"Orchid Tree"
Biological Name : Bauhinia variegata
Orchid tree is closely related to peacock flower and to the tree many consider the world's most beautiful, the royal poinciana - and it shows! Orchid tree is staggeringly beautiful when in bloom - and it blooms for several months! Orchid tree grows 20-40 ft tall and 10-20 ft wide with a spreading crown of briefly deciduous leaves which are 4-6 in across and rounded with lobed ends and heart shaped bases. The leaves are shaped a little like a cow's hoof. The flowers are reminiscent of showy orchids, with five irregular, usually slightly overlapping petals in shades of magenta, lavender, purplish blue or even white. The flowers often make their first appearance in late winter while the tree is bare of leaves. The blooming period then lasts until early summer. The flowers are 3-5 in across and carried in clusters at the branch tips. A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this tree
"தக்காளி "
"Tomato"
Biological Name : Lycopersicon esculentum
Tomatoes are one of the most common vegetables in India. The red round fruit is eaten raw or cooked. All green parts of the plant are poisonous. Tomato flowers are similar in shape to many other flowers of the solanum family, like brinjal. One of the most unusual features of the tomato blossom, very different from our Standard Blossom, is this: its anthers are grown together along their edges, forming a column surrounding the pistil's style. Once the flower is pollinated, the little ovary will begin growing very fast. The anther-cylinder around it and the bright petals will dry up, shrivel and fall away. However the sepals will remain and eventually the ovary will be a magnificent tomato
"Tomato"
Biological Name : Lycopersicon esculentum
Tomatoes are one of the most common vegetables in India. The red round fruit is eaten raw or cooked. All green parts of the plant are poisonous. Tomato flowers are similar in shape to many other flowers of the solanum family, like brinjal. One of the most unusual features of the tomato blossom, very different from our Standard Blossom, is this: its anthers are grown together along their edges, forming a column surrounding the pistil's style. Once the flower is pollinated, the little ovary will begin growing very fast. The anther-cylinder around it and the bright petals will dry up, shrivel and fall away. However the sepals will remain and eventually the ovary will be a magnificent tomato
"மாசிபத்ரி"
"Madras Carpet"
Biological Name : Grangea maderaspatana
Madras Carpet is a herb commonly seen in flat bunches in harvested fields, dry river and pond beds. This hairy, branched herb spreads from the roots and grows up to 70 cm in height. The buds are white and woolly. The leaves are alternate, stalkless, deeply cut, and divided into toothed lobes. Yellow flowering heads are borne opposite the leaves, and are short- stalked, rounded, and 8-10 mm across. The flowers are small, very numerous. The involucral-bracts are ovate, thick, rigid, and hairy. The achenes are cylindric, glandular, and about 2 mm long. The papus-hairs are connate, ending in a short, fimbriate tube.
Medicinal uses: [Warning: Unverified information] Leaves are regarded in India as a valuable stomachic possessing deobstruent and antispasmodic properties, and are prescribed as an infusion and an electuary in cases of obstructed menses and hysteria
"Madras Carpet"
Biological Name : Grangea maderaspatana
Madras Carpet is a herb commonly seen in flat bunches in harvested fields, dry river and pond beds. This hairy, branched herb spreads from the roots and grows up to 70 cm in height. The buds are white and woolly. The leaves are alternate, stalkless, deeply cut, and divided into toothed lobes. Yellow flowering heads are borne opposite the leaves, and are short- stalked, rounded, and 8-10 mm across. The flowers are small, very numerous. The involucral-bracts are ovate, thick, rigid, and hairy. The achenes are cylindric, glandular, and about 2 mm long. The papus-hairs are connate, ending in a short, fimbriate tube.
Medicinal uses: [Warning: Unverified information] Leaves are regarded in India as a valuable stomachic possessing deobstruent and antispasmodic properties, and are prescribed as an infusion and an electuary in cases of obstructed menses and hysteria
"வேடங்குருணி"
"Padri Tree"
Biological Name : Radermachera xylocarpa
Padri Tree is a large deciduous tree from Jacaranda family, growing up to 5-10 m tall. It is usually found in dry deciduous forests of Central India. It is a rare species in the Central Indian region with very thin and scattered population. It is widely cultivated as ornamental, for the showy flowers. Stem is short and erect, with gray, soft, scaly bark. Oppositely arranged leaves are double-pinnate, 1-4 ft long. Leaflets are 3-9, 5-8 cm long, elliptic, oblong, sharp tipped, with a rounded base. Fragrant white flowers appear in dense panicles at the end of branches. Flowers are 4-6 cm long, funnel shaped, white tinged with yellow. Stamens are 4 in unequal pairs. Capsules are long, up to 1 m, 5 cm wide, curved and woody. Flowering: March-April
"எருக்கு"
"Spanish cherry"
Biological Name : Calotropis gigantea
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.
"Padri Tree"
Biological Name : Radermachera xylocarpa
Padri Tree is a large deciduous tree from Jacaranda family, growing up to 5-10 m tall. It is usually found in dry deciduous forests of Central India. It is a rare species in the Central Indian region with very thin and scattered population. It is widely cultivated as ornamental, for the showy flowers. Stem is short and erect, with gray, soft, scaly bark. Oppositely arranged leaves are double-pinnate, 1-4 ft long. Leaflets are 3-9, 5-8 cm long, elliptic, oblong, sharp tipped, with a rounded base. Fragrant white flowers appear in dense panicles at the end of branches. Flowers are 4-6 cm long, funnel shaped, white tinged with yellow. Stamens are 4 in unequal pairs. Capsules are long, up to 1 m, 5 cm wide, curved and woody. Flowering: March-April
"எருக்கு""Spanish cherry"
Biological Name : Calotropis gigantea
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.
"மகிழம்பூ"
"Spanish cherry"
Biological Name : Mimusops elengi
Spanish cherry is a lovely green small tree of the Indian subcontinent. With its small shiny, thick, narrow, pointed leaves, straight trunk and spreading branches, it is a prized oranamental specimen because it provides a dense shade and during the months from March to July fills the night air with the delicious heady aroma of its tiny cream colored flowers. Flowers are small, star-shaped, yellowish white in color, with a crown rising from the center. Oval leaves, wavy at margin, about 5-16 cm and 3-7 cm wide. In the morning the fragrant flowers which so graciously scented their surroundings with their deep, rich, fragrance during the evening hours, fall to the ground. People love to collect them as they retain their odor for many days after they fall. They are offered in temples and shrines throughout the country. Appears in Indian mythology as Vakula - said to put forth blossoms when sprinkled with nectar from the mouth of lovely women. Fruits are eaten fresh.
Medicinal uses: [Warning: Unverified information] Various parts of the tree have medicinal properties. It is used in the treatment and maintenance of oral hygiene. Rinsing mouth with water solution made with bakul helps in strengthening the teeth. It also prevents bad breath and helps keep the gums healthy.
"Spanish cherry"
Biological Name : Mimusops elengi
Spanish cherry is a lovely green small tree of the Indian subcontinent. With its small shiny, thick, narrow, pointed leaves, straight trunk and spreading branches, it is a prized oranamental specimen because it provides a dense shade and during the months from March to July fills the night air with the delicious heady aroma of its tiny cream colored flowers. Flowers are small, star-shaped, yellowish white in color, with a crown rising from the center. Oval leaves, wavy at margin, about 5-16 cm and 3-7 cm wide. In the morning the fragrant flowers which so graciously scented their surroundings with their deep, rich, fragrance during the evening hours, fall to the ground. People love to collect them as they retain their odor for many days after they fall. They are offered in temples and shrines throughout the country. Appears in Indian mythology as Vakula - said to put forth blossoms when sprinkled with nectar from the mouth of lovely women. Fruits are eaten fresh.
Medicinal uses: [Warning: Unverified information] Various parts of the tree have medicinal properties. It is used in the treatment and maintenance of oral hygiene. Rinsing mouth with water solution made with bakul helps in strengthening the teeth. It also prevents bad breath and helps keep the gums healthy.
"கொட்டி"
"Floating Lace Plant"
Biological Name : Aponogeton natans
Floating Lace Plant is a small aquatic herb found in Sri Lanka and India. Its leaves are mostly floating, with only the long slender petiole below the surface of the water. Leaves are narrow-oblong or lance-shaped. Flowers are borne in dense, narrow spikes. The stalk carrying the spike is 10-45 cm long. Spike 3-7 cm, usually dense flowered. Floating Lace Plant is a popular plant in Western countries for use in aquariums
"Floating Lace Plant"
Biological Name : Aponogeton natans
Floating Lace Plant is a small aquatic herb found in Sri Lanka and India. Its leaves are mostly floating, with only the long slender petiole below the surface of the water. Leaves are narrow-oblong or lance-shaped. Flowers are borne in dense, narrow spikes. The stalk carrying the spike is 10-45 cm long. Spike 3-7 cm, usually dense flowered. Floating Lace Plant is a popular plant in Western countries for use in aquariums
"சக்கர வள்ளிக்கிழங்கு"
"Sweet potato"
Biological Name : Ipomoea batatas
The sweet potato is a vine whose large, starchy, sweet-tasting tuberous roots are an important root vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as greens. The sweet potato is only distantly related to the potato (Solanum tuberosum)The genus Ipomoea that contains the sweet potato also includes several garden flowers called morning glories, though that term is not usually extended to Ipomoea batatas. Some cultivars of Ipomoea batatas are grown as houseplants because of its attractive foilage. It is a perennial vine, bearing alternate heart-shaped or palmately lobed leaves and medium-sized morning-glory like flowers that are white in color with a purple throat. The edible tuberous root is long and tapered, with a smooth skin whose color ranges between red, purple, brown and white. Its flesh ranges between white, yellow, orange, and purple. The root is eaten roasted or boiled in India
"நாகலிங்கம்"
"Cannon Ball Tree"
Biological Name : Couroupita guianensis
This large deciduous tropical tree, 75' tall, 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
"Sweet potato"
Biological Name : Ipomoea batatas
The sweet potato is a vine whose large, starchy, sweet-tasting tuberous roots are an important root vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as greens. The sweet potato is only distantly related to the potato (Solanum tuberosum)The genus Ipomoea that contains the sweet potato also includes several garden flowers called morning glories, though that term is not usually extended to Ipomoea batatas. Some cultivars of Ipomoea batatas are grown as houseplants because of its attractive foilage. It is a perennial vine, bearing alternate heart-shaped or palmately lobed leaves and medium-sized morning-glory like flowers that are white in color with a purple throat. The edible tuberous root is long and tapered, with a smooth skin whose color ranges between red, purple, brown and white. Its flesh ranges between white, yellow, orange, and purple. The root is eaten roasted or boiled in India
"கதலை"
"Aloe vera or Burn plant"
Biological Name : Aloe vera
Aloe, a popular houseplant, has a long history as a multipurpose folk remedy. Commonly known as Aloe vera, the plant can be snapped off and placed on cuts and burns for immediate relief. Aloe vera is a clump forming succulent whose fleshy gray-green leaves are arranged in a vase shaped rosette atop a very short stem. The leaves are up to 18 in long and 2 in wide at the base, slightly grooved on top, and terminating in a sharp point. The leaves have small grayish teeth on the margins. The main rosette gets up to about 2 ft high, and the plant continually produces little offset rosettes. In winter and spring, medicinal aloe bears small tubular yellow flowers on branched stalks up to 3 ft tall. The real Aloe vera has yellow flowers, but many of the clones available have orange flowers. Although Aloe Vera is a member of the Lily family, it is very-cactus like in its characteristics.
Medicinal uses: [Warning: Unverified information] Aloe Vera contains over 20 minerals, all of which are essential to the human body. The human body requires 22 amino acids for good health -- eight of which are called "essential" because the body cannot fabricate them. Aloe Vera contains all of these eight essential amino acids, and 11 of the 14 "secondary" amino acids. Aloe Vera has Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. In India, Aloe vera is believed to help in sustaining youth, due to its positive effects on the skin. Hence it is called ghee kunvar or ghee kumaari.
"Aloe vera or Burn plant"
Biological Name : Aloe vera
Aloe, a popular houseplant, has a long history as a multipurpose folk remedy. Commonly known as Aloe vera, the plant can be snapped off and placed on cuts and burns for immediate relief. Aloe vera is a clump forming succulent whose fleshy gray-green leaves are arranged in a vase shaped rosette atop a very short stem. The leaves are up to 18 in long and 2 in wide at the base, slightly grooved on top, and terminating in a sharp point. The leaves have small grayish teeth on the margins. The main rosette gets up to about 2 ft high, and the plant continually produces little offset rosettes. In winter and spring, medicinal aloe bears small tubular yellow flowers on branched stalks up to 3 ft tall. The real Aloe vera has yellow flowers, but many of the clones available have orange flowers. Although Aloe Vera is a member of the Lily family, it is very-cactus like in its characteristics.
Medicinal uses: [Warning: Unverified information] Aloe Vera contains over 20 minerals, all of which are essential to the human body. The human body requires 22 amino acids for good health -- eight of which are called "essential" because the body cannot fabricate them. Aloe Vera contains all of these eight essential amino acids, and 11 of the 14 "secondary" amino acids. Aloe Vera has Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. In India, Aloe vera is believed to help in sustaining youth, due to its positive effects on the skin. Hence it is called ghee kunvar or ghee kumaari.
"கதம்பம்"
"Showla"
Biological Name : Wendlandia heynei
Showla is a small evergreen tree, bark reddish brown, branches and branchlets grey tomentose. Leaves opposite, 6-20 x 2-10 cm, ovate-broadly lanceshaped or lanceshaped, leathery, entire, pointed, grey velvety beneath. Leaf stalk is 1.25-2.5 cm long. Stipules are semicircular or ovate. Flowers are borne in pyramidal, 15-25 cm long and broad cluster at the end of branches. Flower are white, fragrant, stalkless, bracteolate, 5 mm long, and broad. Sepal cup is 2.5 mm long, densely velvety, round. Sepals are 5, 5 mm long, blunt, more or less triangular. Flowers are bell-shaped, with a short tube, 1.5 mm long. Petals are 5, oblong, rounded or obtuse. Stamen filaments are as long as the anthers. Style is deeply divided into two. Capsule is 2.5 mm long, grey velvety. Tilki grows in sub-Himalayan tracts, ascending upto 1200 m. It is also found in Central India and north of the Deccan. The wood is very durable and resistant against white ants. Flowering: March-April.
"Showla"
Biological Name : Wendlandia heynei
Showla is a small evergreen tree, bark reddish brown, branches and branchlets grey tomentose. Leaves opposite, 6-20 x 2-10 cm, ovate-broadly lanceshaped or lanceshaped, leathery, entire, pointed, grey velvety beneath. Leaf stalk is 1.25-2.5 cm long. Stipules are semicircular or ovate. Flowers are borne in pyramidal, 15-25 cm long and broad cluster at the end of branches. Flower are white, fragrant, stalkless, bracteolate, 5 mm long, and broad. Sepal cup is 2.5 mm long, densely velvety, round. Sepals are 5, 5 mm long, blunt, more or less triangular. Flowers are bell-shaped, with a short tube, 1.5 mm long. Petals are 5, oblong, rounded or obtuse. Stamen filaments are as long as the anthers. Style is deeply divided into two. Capsule is 2.5 mm long, grey velvety. Tilki grows in sub-Himalayan tracts, ascending upto 1200 m. It is also found in Central India and north of the Deccan. The wood is very durable and resistant against white ants. Flowering: March-April.
"நாகலிங்கம்""Cannon Ball Tree"
Biological Name : Couroupita guianensis
This large deciduous tropical tree, 75' tall, 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
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