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!
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Native Beauty (ThursdayTreeLove)

My walks take me to an urban forest, which is protected to some extent. It mainly consists of Glyricidia sepium but some natives have survived and continue to thrive. This forest is a popular spot for health walkers on a daily basis and on weekends for bird watchers and photographers. Besides keeping up the heart rate and covering my mandatory distance, I keep a look out for the flora and it has paid rich dividends in helping me identify trees.


Today I am sharing a tree that I have seen growing only in the hills of Pune (of course, it does grow in other parts of India). It is locally called Dhawda and is a species of the Anogeissus genus of the Combretaceae family. I have not managed to identify down to to the specific name but based on descriptions in the book “आपले  वृक्ष” by Prof SD Mahajan, I think it could be Anogeissus latifolia. It is a native species which is decidious in nature.


Surprisingly they are not found all over the hill forest but only in some sections.. maybe it has something to do with the underlying soil/rock which may have created a unique habitat suitable for this species. The plant grows to about 15 feet and its light coloured bark has whitish spots. Leaves are subopposite The tree becomes almost leafless in winter and then breaks into delicate inconspicuous flowers somewhere in March. The fruit is spiny , green initially and turns brownish red later.


Fruit
Subopposite leaves
Whitish spots on the trunk

A beautiful tree in whatever the season! Growing as they do in a protected area (for now), these trees seem to be happy here. I hope and pray they continue to grow and prosper in this habitat! While all trees are beautiful it is important to nurture natives.


I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Head over to see some beautiful trees from around the world. Better still, join in!

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Surprise (ThursdayTreeLove)

A walk on the hills of my city has become a part of my life and its something I crave for once there is a gap of more than 2 days. Ever since I started noticing the trees, I unknowingly keep track of them – at least those on my route. I know species that grow on the hill and where. 
Or so I thought.
So it was a huge surprise when I came across this particular tree … Not one or two but an entire avenue as it were…


Which reminded me of John Muir’s words..


“In every walk with nature, one receives far more that one seeks” 

Happily Surprised

This is the Garari which goes by the botanical name of Cleistanthus collinus of the Euphorbiaceae family. Its dark green leaves and almost black fissured trunk are quite attractive but the leaves, bark and roots are said to be poisonous. 


Garari, tekdi, Nature, Pune

nature, hills, tekdi, pune



Obviously, the hills will continue to surprise … Never take things for granted!


Have you been surprised by trees in your neighbourhood? 


I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still join in.  


We are celebrating Diwali here in India so here’s wishing everyone..

Happy Prosperous Healthy Diwali! Lets see, learn from and appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer!

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Survivor (ThursdayTreeLove)

Tree, Tokyo, Gingko biloba



This is my second ThursdayTreeLove post with the same title! Its not for lack of creativity but this seems to be the apt choice for the tree that I want to share. 
My alternative title for today was Living Fossil.
With that, some of you may have guessed the ID of my tree.


That’s right! This is the Ginkgo biloba which is known for its brilliant yellow Fall Foliage. 
I saw the above tree in the premises of a temple in Tokyo and it seemed to have its apex burnt off by lightning. It was obviously a very old tree judging by the texture and girth and appearance of the trunk. Despite losing its apex at some point, the tree had developed new lateral branches and continued to flourish. It did have some protection around it but visitors were not really interested in this. 


Ginkgo biloba is a gymnosperm  which means the seeds are not covered by true fruit. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, disturbed environments and air pollution. In fact, six Ginkgo trees even survived the A-blast of 06 August 1945 in Hiroshima. It is commonly seen as an avenue tree in urban areas – New York, Shanghai, Tokyo (some cities that I spotted the Ginkgo). It is called a living fossil because it is the only living species of its group. 


Ginkgos boast pretty fan shaped leaves which are very distinctive. It is dioecious which means female and male specimens are separate. Most trees planted in cities are male because the fruit like seed has a foul smell when it falls to the ground! 


This is among my favourite species, especially for its wonderful leaves. 


Do you have the Ginkgo growing in your city?


I am joining Parul in her #ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see some glorious trees from around the world. 

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Support (ThursdayTreeLove)

Another set of photos from the Ross Island in the Andaman’s. Ficus trees are known and easily identifiable from their aerial roots. At times these from a ‘forest’ of sorts. At times they grow over and engulf any man-made structure that they grow beside or on. 

Over time, the roots almost completely cover up the cement and concrete and it becomes difficult to decide if the brick structure is supporting the tree or the tree is holding the bricks together!

See for yourself!



The Ficus trees growing in the temples at Angkor Wat in Cambodia are very famous and you may have seen pictures of them or even visited. 


I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. 
Better still, join in with a photo of a tree that has caught your eye!
🙂

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