August 25, 2011

Black eyed beauty …


Scientific name: Thunbergia alata
Native to Eastern Africa, naturalized around the world. A sweet creeper with a dark maroon or purplish black inner tube to add the beauty. Ideal for hanging pots, arches, pillars, trellis and even as a ground cover. While working at Palakkad (Kerala), i brought one plant from Yelagiri Hills (Tamil Nadu) in 1993 and nurtured on a polythene bag. On a night while inspecting to observe its growth, i stumbled upon a soft object and moved to the light. To my surprise it was a baby viper calmly coiled at the base! Now, years later, i enjoy the profuse flowering just outside my lab in Mysore (Karnataka). While relishing the beauty, i couldn't resist but snap it on a rainy day.

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