Author: Archana

Welcome!
I am writing about herbs in the 2016 April AtoZ blogging challenge. Do catch up with the herbs so far, you may find some thing interesting, someone familiar. 


As expected Q was the biggest challenge but I finally I did find one herb that fit the bill… My herb for the day is Quick Weed or Galinsoga parviflora that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Its an annual herb which is native to India, specifically the North East states. It also goes by the common names of Gallant Soldier and Potato weed. The botanical synonym is Tridax parviflora and one of its close ‘cousins’ Tridax procumbens grows profusely in my part of the world. At first glance the two plants have similar flowers and I have taken the liberty of posting a Tridax procumbens flower so you get an idea of what Quick Weed looks like.

That’s it for Q. I have something really interesting in store tomorrow for R. 
Till then take care!
🙂

Welcome! 
I am writing about herbs in the 2016 April AtoZ blogging challenge. Most of the herbs written in this series are those I have seen or used. The first time I saw today’s herb was in a lecture of our Field Botany class. The white blossoms reminded me of carrot flowers.


Pinda concanensis has delicate white blossoms and the herb usually grows on the cliff edges in the Western Ghats. My first encounter with the Pinda was at Kaas and more recently at Raireshwar Plateau. Pinda and many other herbs grow only in their specific habitats and one has to make the journey to those parts to see the plants up close. And the journey is totally worth it! Its easy to identify the endemic herbs of the Western Ghats once they are in bloom. 

Pinda belongs to the Apiaceae family, same as carrots- which explains my initial recall of the plant. 


Which of the herbs showcased till now have you seen or used? 
Do let us know.
There are more lovely herbs on the rest of the journey till the alphabet Z.
Do visit again.
Till then, take care!
🙂

Welcome! 
I am writing about herbs in the 2016 April AtoZ blogging challenge. Most of the herbs written in this series are those I have seen or used. Today’s herb is used widely in India both for medicinal and religious reasons.

Beautiful flowers of Tulsi Photo courtesy @puneribaker

Photo courtesy @puneribaker

Photo courtesy @puneribaker

That’s right, I am talking about the Holy Tulsi or Ocimum sanctum of the Laminaceae family. Many households have a Tulsi growing in their homes, in the balcony or terrace or garden. The plant has a long list of medicinal benefits. The Tulsi leaf is offered during pooja and is said to be the favourite of Lord Vishnu. However the Tulsi is offered to Lord Ganesha only during the Ganeshutsav period and not on other days of the year.

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) plant

The herb is native to India and has almost round leaves with a toothed margin. The entire plant is tomentose and fragrant. Leaf colour may vary from shades of green to reddish purple. The delicate flowers bear tiny seeds which are widely used as well. 


We are at almost half way through the challenge. How has it been so far for you? 
Good luck for the rest of the blogathon!
🙂 

Welcome! 
I am writing about herbs in the 2016 April AtoZ blogging challenge. Most of the herbs written in this series are those I have seen or used. Today’s herb is another discovery on my morning walk… 


I had spotted a curious spongy looking semicircular growth on the hill which occasionally had leaves around it. It was not clear if the leaves grew out of this central white structure or were from some other plant. I referred to a group of plant lovers who identified it as Lepidagathis cristata of the Acanthaceae family. This plant is native to India and goes by the common name of Crested Lepidagathis or Bhu Terada in Marathi. It is said to have medicinal value as well.

The flowers are stalkless and arise from the centre dome

Branches arise from the central dome like structure

Another interesting herb also from our neighbourhood hills is most likely the Lavandula bipinnata of the Laminaceae family. Here it is:

I hope you are enjoying this blogging challenge as much as I am. 
Bye for now and Take Care!
🙂

Welcome! 
I am writing about herbs in the 2016 April AtoZ blogging challenge. Most of the herbs written in this series are those I have seen or used. I have seen this K herb only once as part of a botanical study tour. I am told the flowers are just as stunning in the wild too.


My K herb is Kaempferia rotunda also known as Bhui Chafa in Marathi or Indian Crocus. The blossoms emerge from the ground before the leaves appear which may explain its local name. Its bulbs remain dormant throughout winter and flowers arise one or two at a time, lasting only for a couple of days. If you are amazed with the flowers, then hold on, because its leaves are said to be stunning. The leaf front is green with silvery marks and is purple on the back. Kaempferia rotunda belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is a native. As I was on a botanical study tour, identification was not an issue! 
😉