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!

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. 

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.

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.

Lazy in the garden ...

Scientific name: Vernonia cinerea

The little iron weed or purple feabane is an annual or short lived perennial grown to a height of 50 cm, with ovate leaves. The stems branch repeatedly to hold the small cylindrical purple flower heads. If flowers throughout the year and has become a pantropical weed. I was curious about this plant as it has grown in my garden as an uninvited guest but pleased me with its tiny cute flower heads! This photograph was taken on 19th December, 2011 just near my sister's home in Trinvandrum district of Kerala.

Earing for your call ...

Scientific name:Coreopsis auriculata

Mouse ear coreopsis, or mouse ear tickseed or Auricled tickseed is a perennial herb, but grown as an annual in Indian garden. The species name auriculate means eared, in reference to the ear like lobes at the base of many of the leaves. The flower stalks can be up to 15 cm long. The beautiful petals are golden yellow, elegantly toothed at the tip. This photo was taken on 19th December, 2011 in my sister's home in my native place.

Stars in lawn ...

Scientific name: Evolvulus nummularius

Roundleaf bindweed is an annual herb, with creeping stems and small rounded leaves alternatively arranged. The small white flowers are formed 1-2 per axil and are 7-88 mm across. In my childhood i have seen them profusely growing around my home and adjoining areas with innumerable star like white flowers. We used to pick them with other small and tiny flowers to play. Recently while visiting my home, i had the nostalgic feeling after seeing them flowered in front of my home and i photographed them on 18th December, 2011.