A khatta-meetha take on life around me through my presbiopic eyes!
Author: Archana
Once a Physiotherapist now a Wordsmith. Field Botanist. Bonsai. Proud Indian. Fauji Wife. Doting Mother and Mother-in-law. Devoted Grandmother. Reluctant Cook. Happiest on a road less travelled. Enjoying the middle ages!
The lilac coloured Jacarandas at the Punakha Dzong in Bhutan are very famous but today I want to share a glorious Ficus from this beautiful Dzong. I found it as impressive and breathtaking as the beautiful Dzong which is its home.
Here are a few images, they speak for themselves.
Here is a small video of the tree that captures the wind talking to the leaves!
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove Bloghop. Do head over to see some wonderful trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
Today, I will share a story spread over five months… a story of identifying a tree …
It all began in February when I was temporarily staying at a new area and my morning walks took me to a local garden. As is my habit, I mentally named the trees but one particular species (and there were at least six full grown trees) was especially challenging. It had a lovely buttressed trunk, glossy green leaves and round lemon-sized fruit.
This glorious green tree had me staring at it every day!
See the green fruits
I kept racking my brains, googled the images but no luck. My usual reference books were not available to me. Finally, inspiration struck and I narrowed down a possible ID to Rudraksha. The leaf structure seemed to match perfectly…
In the absence of flowers, there was a way to confirm.. check the seed. While earlier there were plenty of fruits on the walkway, suddenly I could not find any.. Being end of Pune winters, most trees were shedding their dry dead foliage. The cleaning staff used to clear the area before I reached. .. I even checked the mound of collected dead leaves in case I could get a fruit..
Then I changed my walk time and got lucky. There was a fruit just waiting for me .. I picked it up and almost ran back home to cut it open… Bingo… the typical Rudraksha seed smiled at me!!!
The fruit that escaped the broom!
Fruit and Leaf .. can you see the forked lateral vein?
The unmistakable Rudraksha seed
I was thrilled and shared these images with all and sundry! What is most amazing is that local authorities had planted such a beautiful tree in a small park.
Next, I had to wait for the flowers. Come June, I was rewarded with the first buds but they took more than 3 weeks to bloom. And when they did, the trees looked absolutely glorious.. the tiny white frilly flowers amid glowing green leaves.
Have you seen the Rudraksha tree? I have not yet identified the exact species but this is definitely the Eleaocarpus genus of the Elaeocarpaceae family. According to the Flowers of India website, a species is found in the western ghats, central and south Sahyadris. Rudraksha is revered by many and is said to have huge medicinal value.
Hope you enjoyed my story.
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see some amazing trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
The beautiful green trunk of this tree just stopped me in my tracks.. This was a few years ago in Phoenix, Arizona. Help was at hand in the form of a small board with the tree id.
This is the Palo Verde – a tree belonging to the Fabaceae family and belongs to the Cercidium genus. Chorophyll present in the bark gives it the green colour (as does it in leaves). And yes, you are right, for this reason, the bark of the Palo Verde also produces food by photosynthesis as do its leaves. I guess, this is a plant adaptation for growing in region with high temperatures.
I remember we had learnt in school that, in desert plants like Cacti, leaves turn into spines to limit water loss and the green fleshy stem takes over the job of photosynthesis (food production).
As I have said time and again, travelling is a great way to see history and culture of a new place, monuments and importantly, to see and enjoy its Flora as well!
Do you notice trees and plants during your travels?
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove Blog hop. Do head over to see some wonderful trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
For some inexplicable reason, I was under the impression that only trees in the Ficus genus and Sheflera bore aerial roots. When I saw this tree with profuse roots growing from its branches, I was completely taken aback. It is obviously a fully grown tree and I saw it in San Francisco.
This is a tree called Metrosideros excelsabelonging to the Myrtaceae family. Commonly called the New Zealand Christmas Tree. The species is endemic to New Zealand.
The tree is said to have brilliant flowers however it was not in bloom when during my visit. Instead, I have an image of its leaves.
Surprises never cease and this plant reminded me that there is something new to be learnt all the time.
Ever since my course in Field Botany, my travels are all the more interesting as I spend time trying to identify trees around me. Many a times, I end up just enjoying the tree as no ID seems to match.
This quote sums it up “Time spent in Nature is time realising you don’t know it all, that you never will. The earth is meant to be enjoyed by its inhabitants” – AbdulRauf Hashmi
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in.
As the Sun set, and daylight faded, the clouds descended into the valley and would soon envelop our camp! This was at the end of the first day of our trek across the Hampta Pass!
These trees caught my eye from a distance.. the branches made them look as if they were dancing! Naturally, I was curious to identify the plants. On going closer, I found them to be our old friend.. the Guava … Not one or two but an entire grove of Guavas!
When in fruit, it would be a feast for birds and people living there I am sure. A visual treat for the rest of the year!
Guava goes by the botanical name of Psidium guajava and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It bears pretty flowers and the tree bark is typically smooth and peeling.
Have you seen the Guava tree? Do you enjoy to eat Guavas?
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
It takes a special effort to whip up foam in coffee.. I remember the days when I spent up to 10 minutes beating together sugar and coffee powder to a smooth paste in the cup .. this was to ensure a perfect froth when hot milk was poured in.
Technology has ensured I now need not trouble my shoulder .. I get a perfect frothy coffee in a jiffy with the battery operated Frother!
This was the view that greeted me as I paused to catch my breath when climbing this hill. The trees seemed a perfect frame for the river Moshi which is one of the tributaries of Pune’s Mutha River. It has a dam at Varasgaon and this is the backwater area.
We walked up at the start of June, when the city was facing a severe water crisis. The south westerlies seemed to be bringing in hoards of clouds which filled the entire sky.
For a change, the view kept me away from trying to identify the trees… Also they were on the slope and I was not keen on going too close to them. They are likely to be Jamun or Ain, two species which were common in that area.
I am joining Parul in her bimonthly ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see lovely trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
