Text & photographs by Dr. Mahadeswara Swamy, Scientist Kapok’ is a fast growing majestic tree with cantilevered branches and a buttressed trunk with mature seed pods bursting out cotton-like fluff. It is found wild as well as cultivated. The tree blooms at night and emits a strong odour which attracts nocturnal pollinators. It is an…
Carbohydrates, the essential macronutrients, are part of our daily diet. All forms, whether simple or complex break down into glucose (aka blood sugar) before being assimilated in to our body. As is well-known their excessive presence in the blood is the cause for many ailments. More often than not it is a challenging task to…
Text & photographs by Dr. Mahadeswara Swamy Many plants possess distinctive aroma, flavour or fragrance. The whole plant or some parts may be aromatic like root, wood, bark, foliage, flowers, fruits, seeds. They are called aromatic plants. Aromatic compounds are basically essential oils made up of low molecular weight terpenoid compounds (phenylpropenes and terpenes) which…
Text & photographs by Dr. Mahadeswara Swamy, Scientist Spring season,’ an intermediate phase between winter and summer signifies the emergence of new life to many deciduous trees. Also, it marks the end of the weird look of barren tree trunks and fallen leaves. Many exotic and native trees begin new life with blooms on the…
Text & photographs by Dr. Mahadeswara Swamy, Scientist End of Shishir Ritu (winter) brings about remarkable changes in many deciduous trees. Several species would have shed all their leaves to begin the rejuvenation process: the new cycle of life by producing fresh foliage & flowers. Several of these trees begin new life by producing new…
Text & photographs by Dr. Mahadeswara Swamy, Scientist Florals and foliage of several species of ornamental plants are associated with the festive season of Christmas. Apart from the well known, rather celebrated, ‘Christmas tree’ a wide variety of plants embrace “Christmas” in their common names e.g. Poinsettia, Holly, Mistletoe, Ivy, Christmas Cactus, Christmas Bells, Christmas…
Text & photographs by Dr. Mahadeswara Swamy, Scientist Iris is a general term for more than 250 species of flowering plants. A few among them are called Walking Irises. The name implies the plants walk. In fact they get the name from the propagation method. When the flowers fade plantlets (baby plants) develop on extended…
By Dr. Mahadeswara Swamy Trees of multi-utility value are grown and managed for more than one product/ output. Commonly known as Multi-Purpose Trees (MPTs), they fulfil several needs of human beings. One such tree is ‘Paradise tree’ also known as ‘Simarouba’, ‘Oil tree’, ‘Dysentery-bark’, ‘Bitterwood’, ‘Aceituno’ etc. It is a versatile tree as almost all…
Text & photographs by Dr. Mahadeswara Swamy, Scientist Looking for a charming ornamental shrub with blooms round the year? Then opt for the ‘Golden Thryallis’, a gorgeous low-maintenance ornamental shrub. True to its name, this graceful shrub provides golden touch to any garden with its numerous yellow racemes and glittering foliage. It is also called…
Text & photographs by Dr. Mahadeswara Swamy, Scientist Come May, the hot summer month, most of the spring season (vasantha ruthu) trees and other plants would have already unravelled their floral beauty. On the other hand, two divergent plant species, a tree and a herb with the same common name ‘Mayflower’ mesmerise the onlookers with…
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