Tag: Travel Bug

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Glorious Ficus (ThursdayTreeLove)

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!

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Green (ThursdayTreeLove)



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!

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Surprise (ThursdayTreeLove)

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 excelsa belonging 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.

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Fragrant Stars (ThursdayTreeLove)

These trees growing along the fence of a prominent hotel in Aurangabad were eye catching even from a distance. They had dark green leaves with mysterious shadows broken by the intermittent breeze. 

Fragrant flowers, Bakul, AUrangabad



On walking closer, I was happy to see that these were the Maulsari or Mimusops elengi . It was December and the tree was in bloom and the tiny star shaped flowers with their haunting fragrance made the morning more beautiful. These flowers are prized because they retain their scent even when dry.



Maulsari is called Bakul in Marathi and is found in many parts of India. It is a native tree belonging to the Sapotaceae family. The leaves are glossy green and have a wavy margin. It bears pretty red coloured fruit which is said to be edible (I have not eaten these and I dont recommend readers to do so unless they have confirmed information about it being edible). 


Red fruit, Mimusops, Pune
Bakul fruits – this image from a tree growing elsewhere

Pune homes and streets in Pune have Bakul. Does this tree grow in your city? Have you seen garlands of these fragrant flowers?


I am joning Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some wonderful trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
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