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. 60s are the new 40s ;-)
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Mother Tree (#ThursdayTreeLove)

Temple, Crocodile, Ficus



This tree caught my eye for two reasons, the interesting growth on its branch and a profusion of greenery at the base of its trunk.


As I went closer, it was clear that this was a very old Peepal (see the reddish heart shaped young leaves with typical pointy tips). The tree itself seemed to be a mother for the several species growing on or under or around it providing shade, support and nutrition. It doesn’t seem to discriminate between them. I am quite sure several animals must have made a residence there as well. 


I wonder how old must the Peepal be? 


Kerala, Ficus, Temple


Here is a another view of the branches.. The brown growth is a fern called Drynaria quercifolia or Oak Leaf Fern or Pocket Fern. 

Fern, Pocket fern, Drynaria



This is at the Ananthapura Lake Temple near Kasaragod in Kerala. This temple is known for its resident crocodile in the lake but we did not see it… 


I am participating in Parul’s #ThursdayTreeLove30 . Do head over for some amazing trees from around the world!
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Ghostly (ThursdayTreeLove)

This tree was the first thing that caught my eye when I visited South Carolina. I was intrigued by the filament like structures growing on its branches and general ghostly appearance. The season was spring so I was expecting tender shoots or even flowers but this white ‘mane’ totally stumped me. As usual, I had a short list of common trees I was likely to see but this did not fit any description….


My sister in law informed me that these hanging filaments were Spanish Moss. Google helped with more information. Tillandsia usneoides is its botanical name belonging to the Bromeliaceae family and is found commonly growing on oak trees. Since my post is about trees, I shall not go into details about Tillandsia but you can look it up here. 


Aha.. that took care of the mystery! What I was seeing was an Oak and what I thought as its leaves was actually another epiphytic plant growing on it. 


Here is a close up where the Oak leaves are visible.




To this day, the Spanish Moss-festooned oak remains one of the most dramatic trees I have seen. 

I am participating in Parul’s #ThursdayTreeLove29. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. 

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Feeling Dwarfed (#ThursdayTreeLove)

Ever so often we feel dwarfed when next to some tall structures (monuments, mountains etc) or figuratively when we hear profound thoughts or deeds. Yet another occassion is when faced with monumental trees. Today I want to describe one such.

We had seen this one at a temple in Manali and I felt really small standing under it. The view as I looked up is in the image below and I could not see the tree top from where I stood. The branches created a dense mesh of sorts that filtered the sunlight as it reached the ground. 

Cedrus, Pinaceae, Manali, Trees



According to the locals, this is a really old tree, a claim which was supported by its height and girth. The tree is the Devdar which goes by the botanical name Cedrus deodara from the Pinaceae family. The leaves are needle like and the tree bears cones and not regular fruit that we are familiar with. 

There were several Devdars in Manali and in on the mountain slopes as well. Here is another one that I spotted. Its stem is twisted, I wonder why…..


The species is native to India and commonly found on the slopes of the western Himalayas.


Have you seen the mighty Devdar tree?


I am participating in Parul’s #ThursdayTreeLove28. Head over to see some wonderful trees from around the world.

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