Gracefully and purely ...

Scientific name: Zantedeschia aethiopica

The Lily of the Nile or Calla lily is native to Southern Africa. If Afrikaans name gives the name that it is pig's ear. This is an elegant and prominent garden plant, a clump forming herbaceous plant arising from tubers with large arrow shaped leaves. The flower consists of orange-yellow finger like spathe surrounding a white spadix. This flower is considered a symbol of purity. These are used as cut flowers for floral arrangement and bridal bouquet. During many of my trips to Sims Park, Coonoor, i have noticed this plant near the glass house. This photograph was taken during my family trip with my sister-in-law, her hubby and kids on 26th April, 2011. As the kids were playing in the lawn, i quetly moved near this plant and took the snap.

After the evening shower ...

Scientific name: Adenium obesum

Desert rose or Japanese Frangipani is an ever green succulent shrub, native of East Africa. It grows 1-3 m. Leaves are spirally arranged, clustered towards the tips of the shoots. Flowers are beautiful, tubular 2 inches long, pink open trumpet shaped. It is a gardeners delight, because when potted, it tend to become a bonsai, which can be kept as an indoor plant. The sap of its roots and stems are poisonous and have been used as an arrow poison for hunting. I took this photograph on 5th September, 2011 at Mysore, in the home garden of the Uncle and Aunt after a shower, in the beautiful evening.

Imagination high …

Scientific name: Agave sisalana

A succulent, native to Mexico. Cultivated for its fibres that are extracted from the leaves. The plant has large lancolate leaves with thick points and sharp tips. The long spike bears many urceolate yellow-green flowers. It was plenty in my native place and i has seen people cutting the leaves for its fibres. When we travel south Tamil Nadu, it is a common sight that people are harvesting the leaf for its fibre. This photograph i took just outside the chamber of Director, CSRTI, Mysore, on 11th Sept. 2011.

In need ...?

Scientific name: Hyptis suaveolens 

American mint, the aggressive rigid annual herb is native to the American continent. Stem is quadrate and bears hairs. The copious blue flowers are small and two lipped. A large number of pollinators help in the production of large number of seeds. The plant is used in the treatment for diarrhea and also it is found that the plant is effective as insecticide. I have observed this plant all along the road sides of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. I used this plant extract for my research work in the field of sericulture. Along with my friend i collected this plant for herbarium. Now it is available in plenty all along Mysore and i took this photograph in the CSRTI, Mysore campus on 3rd September, 2011.

Rain or shine …!

Scientific name: Cyperus alternifolius 

The Umbrella Palm or Umbrella Plant or Umbrella papyrus is a wonderful plant with thin blades arranged like an umbrella. This fabulous marginal water plant, native of the swamps of Madagascar. This is a close relative of the Nile papyrus. The umbelliform inflorescence is composed of 10-20 small clusters of green-white tiny flowers. It appears at the end of the stems, on top of the leaf shaped bracts. I had this plant during 1988 while pursuing my computer course, staying with my aunt in Nagercoil. This photo i took on 3rd Sept. 2011 near the institute gate, where i am presently working.

Never forgotten ...

Scientific name: Anthurium sp.

The Flamingo flower or boy flower refers to the structure of spathe and spadix. The glossy heart shaped flower bract gives the name Painter’s palette. Anthurium is one of the most admired and cultivated garden plant across the globe, which comes in shades of red, pink, white, liliac, green, etc. The dark green heart shaped leaves themselves are attractive and adds to the beauty of any home garden. The plant produces four to six flowers every year and lasts for about six weeks in the plant. My uncle – father’s younger brother – had a very good collection of Anthuriums in Trivandrum (Kerala) when i noticed them during 1976. Now also he is very keen about maintaining many specialized cultivars. This photograph i took on 5th Sept. 2011 evening from the uncle’s home, who is maintaining a wonderful home garden.

Be relaxed ...

Scientific name: Solanum laxum Album 

The Potato vine, a wonderful shrubby twining climber bloom is a treat to watch. This is very suitable ornamental cover for trellis, walls, arches or for growing across lattice for shade. The star shaped white flowers are slightly fragrant, about 2.5 cm dia with a central yellow beak. I saw this plant in Coonoor while attending a conference there. It was attached to a leaning fence, calling my attention. I was relaxing around the fence and snapped the spike on 2nd December 2011.