September 24, 2011

Pinky ... pinky ... pinky ...



Scientific name: Dombeya wallichii
The pink ball or Tropical hydrangea is a spectacular tree with large heart shaped leaves and dense heads of little pink flowers, hanging from foot long stalks. It is native to Madagascar. This beautiful tree is grown for its pendulous deep pink flower balls, which has a pleasant fragrance. I saw this tree in Ooty and Coonoor. The one tree which i desired to take photograph in Ooty had dried flowers and i was disappointed. But my disappointment had short-lived as i could snap this photograph the same evening of 30th November 2011 at Sims Park, Coonoor.

September 23, 2011

No desire ...?


Scientific name: Jatropha podagrica
The plant is also known as Australian bottle plant or Budha Belly. As the name suggests, the plant has a bottle or belly shaped trunk with clusters of tiny, coral like flowers on long stems and large lobbed leaves, which gives an unusual look. The flowers grow in long stems and are brilliant red in colour, which stand out from the leaves. I observed this plant in many homes and its fruits are very familiar to me, as it is similar to that of common Jatropha. This photograph was taken on 3rd September, 2011 just outside the Directors chamber of CSRTI, Mysore.

September 22, 2011

Together we are ...


Scientific name: Rhododendron yedoense
The deciduous low to medium ever green shrub is native to Korea and Japan. Leaves are ovate to lance shaped. Funnel shaped flowers are borne in trusses of 2 to 4 blooms and are in shades of lilac, rose, white, etc., with purple spots and fragrance. Can be grown as borders, hedges and fences. I saw this plant in  Coonoor and in Ooty in many home gardens. This photograph was taken on 3rd December, 2010 at Coonoor by way side in front of a house, where it was maintained as a hedge cum fence. 

September 21, 2011

Calling you back ...


Scientific name: Cordia sebestena
Also known as Scarlet cordia has originated from West Indies. It is a small tree, grows upto 25 feet. This is one of the most beautiful trees on account of its attractive flowers. The leaves are ever green and heart shaped. The dark orange, two inches wide flowers appear in clusters at branch tips. It attracts butterflies and bees. Before opening up, the flower buds themselves are a beauty to watch. A few days before while passing through the road leading to District Magistrate Office of Mysore, i just noticed a bunch of attractive orange flowers. But for want of time i could not stop. I returned a week later, in the morning of 11th September, 2011 and took the photograph of this flower.

September 20, 2011

Trumpeting your way ...


Scientific name: Allamanda blanchetii
Allamandas come from South America. This purple allamanda is a beautiful shrubby climber profusely flowering, which easily attracts the attention of every one! The trumpet shaped flowers have radially symmetrical lobes. On first September 2011 i went to the home of former Director of my institute, where i took this photograph. It was a challenging experience, as the cool breeze was continuously blowing around me and the allamanda, i found it so difficult to capture the image.

September 19, 2011

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.

September 18, 2011

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.

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