Beads (Wordless Wednesday)
Orange Route (Wordless Wednesday)
Pure Gold! (Wordless Wednesday)
Ramganga River (Wordless Wednesday)
What Do You See? (Wordless Wednesday)
Z is for Zingiber
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. Its been a roller coaster ride all through the month, reading some wonderful blogs, making new friends and ofcourse learning many new things.
Hey this is not the reflections post, so I better get on with the topic of the day! The last letter, my final post for this year’s challenge is Zingiber officinale of the Zingiberaceae family. We know it better as Adrak (in Hindi), Ginger, Ale (in marathi)! Is that a big Aha I hear!!!
🙂
Truly, just recognising a particular plant gives a feeling of meeting a friend does it not? So if botanical names put you off, not to worry, go with the local names. The former have the advantage of being universally accepted so you can discuss the plant with anyone anywhere in the world being sure of what you refer to.
Getting back to Z. The edible part that is commonly used is the root. However its inflorescence is quite pretty as well but its quite rarely seen I am told. I have it planted in a pot but here are an image of ginger leaves from a friend. Mine is still an infant!!
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. Its been a roller coaster ride all through the month, reading some wonderful blogs, making new friends and ofcourse learning many new things.
Hey this is not the reflections post, so I better get on with the topic of the day! The last letter, my final post for this year’s challenge is Zingiber officinale of the Zingiberaceae family. We know it better as Adrak (in Hindi), Ginger, Ale (in marathi)! Is that a big Aha I hear!!!
🙂
Truly, just recognising a particular plant gives a feeling of meeting a friend does it not? So if botanical names put you off, not to worry, go with the local names. The former have the advantage of being universally accepted so you can discuss the plant with anyone anywhere in the world being sure of what you refer to.
Getting back to Z. The edible part that is commonly used is the root. However its inflorescence is quite pretty as well but its quite rarely seen I am told. I have it planted in a pot but here are an image of ginger leaves from a friend. Mine is still an infant!!
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| Image courtesy Supriya Shelar |
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| Ginger root |
The root is used to flavour curries in Indian, Eastern and even Western cuisine. Adding crushed ginger to tea takes the beverage to a totally new level! Try it especially on a rainy day…Yet another winter specialty in Maharashtra is Ginger Squares also known as Alyachee wadi.. It is basically grated ginger cooked in sugar syrup and set into squares. It is a unique combination of hot and sweet. Via the 2016 April AtoZ I have discovered Ginger oil which seems to have immense medicinal effects.
Getting back to the ginger blossoms, I have seen a variety called Champagne Ginger being used as part of flower decorations.
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| Champagne Ginger in a flower arrangement |
Here is an image of the blossoms of Torch Ginger. Isn’t amazing?
Obviously there is more to ginger than meets the eye!
That’s it from me! I hope you enjoyed this herbal journey as much I enjoyed putting it together. This is not the end of the road, as we will keep meeting in the blogsphere!
Keep revisiting dear readers, I will be honoured.
Thank you for your comments all through the month, they made were most encouraging.
Till we meet again, take care and happy blogging!
🙂
Y is for Youngia
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. We are at the penultimate day of the challenge and surprisingly I had a big struggle for this post. The usual culprit alphabets like Q, U, Z did not present any trouble but unexpectedly Y did… No herb from my “collection” fit the bill and I had to scour the world wide web for something suitable.
I got lucky and did not have to make do with some ”managed” post. Without much ado, here is my Y herb.. Youngia japonica of the Asteraceae family. It is commonly called Oriental Hawkweed or Oriental False Hawksbeard.
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. We are at the penultimate day of the challenge and surprisingly I had a big struggle for this post. The usual culprit alphabets like Q, U, Z did not present any trouble but unexpectedly Y did… No herb from my “collection” fit the bill and I had to scour the world wide web for something suitable.
I got lucky and did not have to make do with some ”managed” post. Without much ado, here is my Y herb.. Youngia japonica of the Asteraceae family. It is commonly called Oriental Hawkweed or Oriental False Hawksbeard.
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| Image from Flowers of India |
As the name suggests, this herb is an invasive. The usual Google search threw up this interesting very well researched post by Green Deane and it’s a must-visit site for those interested in botany. Apparently the plant has antiviral and anticancer properties! Amazing isn’t it?
I have not managed to keep with with commenting on the many interesting blogs in the challenge though I did read many of them.. I’ll try to comment as soon as I can sort out my commitments away from the world of the internet!
How about you? Have you managed to keep with the posts?
How about you? Have you managed to keep with the posts?
Happy commenting!
🙂
X is for Xanthium
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 elicited happy childhood memories from my botany friends when I shared the images with them. Being brought up in the great city of Bombay (as it was then called) I was unfamiliar with this… Namely, kids often throw spiny fruit of this plant at people and watch it stick to their clothing. Obviously people in that age group find it funny!!
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 elicited happy childhood memories from my botany friends when I shared the images with them. Being brought up in the great city of Bombay (as it was then called) I was unfamiliar with this… Namely, kids often throw spiny fruit of this plant at people and watch it stick to their clothing. Obviously people in that age group find it funny!!
So here we have it, X is for Xanthium strumarium which belongs to the Asteraceae family. Locally its called Shankeshwar or Ghagra in Marathi and another common name is Common Cocklebur. Naturally it was the bright shiny spiny fruit that caught my eye and some closer inspection of its leaves, stem and fruit helped identify the herb after I reached home.
Ghagra is said to belong to Central America but it has now naturalised all around the world. The spiny fruit probably helps in seed dispersal by clinging on to animal fur. The herb has large lobed hairy leaves and the fruits are formed on the stem itself. The plant parts are said to have medicinal uses as well.
Have you any such childhood memories to share?
We are nearing the end of our blogging journey with another two days to go.
Hang in there friends!
🙂
W is for Withania
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 of immense medicinal importance in Ayurveda, so much so that India Posts has issued a stamp in its honour!
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 of immense medicinal importance in Ayurveda, so much so that India Posts has issued a stamp in its honour!
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| Image courtesy Department of Posts |
W is for Withania somnifera commonly called Aswagandha or Winter Cherry. It belongs to the Solanaceae family (Brinjal or Egg Plant also belongs to this family). Unlike most herbs that I have described so far, this plant can grow up to six feet tall and has hairy plant parts. The fruits are striking with as they are covered with the papery calyx. It is said that the berries can be used in making cheese to substitute rennet. Here is an image of the plant with fruit that I have seen at the Udan Biodiversity Park but my friends have seen it growing wild around the city as well.
Here is a study about the medicinal effects of Ashwagandha. Worth reading this but at your leisure…
We are almost at the end of our journey and I am sure its been a wonderful month!
Take care folks!
🙂
V is for Vishnukranta
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 native to South America but is naturalised in many parts of the world, including India.
V is for Vishnukranta which is the local Marathi name for Evolvulus alsinoides belonging to the Convolvulaceae family. The herb is also called Dwarf Morning Glory. I have seen Vishnukranta growing on our tekdi (hills) and its blue flowers demand attention. I have found it to be prostrate and the branches spread out almost radially from a centre. The flowers, leaves and stem appear ‘hairy’! Vishnukranta is said to have immense medicinal value as well.
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 native to South America but is naturalised in many parts of the world, including India.
V is for Vishnukranta which is the local Marathi name for Evolvulus alsinoides belonging to the Convolvulaceae family. The herb is also called Dwarf Morning Glory. I have seen Vishnukranta growing on our tekdi (hills) and its blue flowers demand attention. I have found it to be prostrate and the branches spread out almost radially from a centre. The flowers, leaves and stem appear ‘hairy’! Vishnukranta is said to have immense medicinal value as well.
I have yet another medicinal herb for you tomorrow, I am sure many of you would have heard of it.
Till then, happy blogging!
🙂