January 19, 2012

Blinking stars ...

Scientific name: Xenostegia tridentata
Arrow leaf morning glory is a perennial creeper growing up to 2 m long. The leaves are linear oblong to linear, dilated towards base. The funnel shaped small yellow flowers are very attractive. The maroon center is very attractive with five anthrers protruding out. I took this photograph in the morning of 20th December 2011 in my native village in Kerala.

January 18, 2012

Smiles and smiles ...

Scientific name: Merremia vitifolia
Grape-leaf wood rose is a large twining or postrate herb. this is hairy with slender stems. The leaf petiole is 1-3 cm, leaf blade is circular in outline, base cordate palmately angled or lobed. Flower is bright yellow, funnel shaped and 6 cm long, glabrous, paler towards base. Anthers spirally twisted. Recently while visiting my native place, i saw them crawled over some bushes with plenty of flowers and were photographed on 23rd December, 2011.

January 17, 2012

Profusely for you ...

Scientific name: Heliotropium indicum
Indian heliotrope or scorpion weed is a herb with long taperoot, stem erect, with few branches, 30-80 cm tall, leaves alternate, distinctly petiolate. Inflorescence is terminal, tip is coiled, axis upto 20 cm long. The inflorsscence uncoils after older flowers mature. Flowers are pale violet with a yellow throat. The inflorescence is very beautiful and easily calls your attention as you move around. This weed is found all along the road sides and waste lands. I took this photo on 24th December 2011 by the roadside near Parassala, my home town.

January 16, 2012

Giving it all ...

Scientific name: Cocos nucifera
The coconut palm is a member of the family Arecaceae (palm). The term coconut is derived from 16th century Portugese and Spanish cocos, meaning `grimming face' from the three small holes on the coconut shell that resemble human facial features. The tree is found across the tropic and subtropic areas of the world, and is known for its great verstality of uses of all its parts. The palm grows to 30 m tall, with pinnate leaves 4-6 m long, pinnae 60-90 cm long. The flowers are polygamomonoecious, with both male and female flowers in the same inflorescence. Flowering occurs continuously, with female flowers producing seeds. This photographs was taken from the 3rd floor of a hospital building in my native place on 19th December, 2011, where my father was admitted. I feel happy and proud to be son of a farmer, who had coconut also as a crop to sustain the life!

January 15, 2012

Lighting your way ...

Scientific name: Aloe vera
Aloe is a popular folk plant. it is a clump forming succulent, where fleshly grey-green leaves are arranged in a vase shaped rosette. The leaves are up to 18" long and 2" wide at the base. The leaves have small greyish teeth on the margin. The flowers are produced on spikes of 90 cm long, each flower is pendulous with a yellow tubular corolla. The plant is extensively used for its cosmetic and therapeutic effectiveness. This photograph was taken on 25th August, 2011. As i was moving for my morning walks, this flower spike was smiling at me on the road side, just outside a home in the same street where i was staying earlier. 

January 14, 2012

Solitary salute ...

Scientific name: Ionidium suffruticosum
Spade flower or pink ladies slipper is a tiny herb with pretty pink flowers. It is observed in most part of India. Leaves are linear, lance like. Pink-purple spade shaped flowers occur solitarily. Sepals 3-4 mm long. Lower petal is broad with deep purple veins. I was very enthusiastic about these plants from my childhood, as they were plenty around my home. Again i noticed them in Mysore in the institute campus, where i work. This flower was photographed on 20th December, 2011 adjacent to home in my native place, Ponvila, near Parassala in Trivandrum district of Kerala state.

January 13, 2012

Sugary ways ...

Scientific name: Annona squamosa
Sugar apple or custard apple is a small tropical tree, native to Amazone rain forests. It grows to a height of 20'. The leaves are thin and oblong, flowers are oblong, 1 to 1.5" long, greenish yellow in colour. The flowers are with 3 fleshy outer petals, which never opens fully. The fruit is very tasty, and i am very fond of it! This tree is cultivated around the world for its delicious fruits. This photograph was taken on 20th Dcember, 2011 just in front of my home in my native which is planted and nurtured by my father.
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