Rajesh Ramnarayan

Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. Family- Fabaceae (pea family)

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 Rajesh Ramnarayan

Coimbatore, Endemic, Lianas and climbers, Tamil Nadu

Common Name: Horse gram. Tamil Name: Akkamini, Kollu Macrotyloma is genus under fabaceae they are generally perennial climbers having hairy stem and are trifoliolate. The flowers are generally Yellow-green in color. They can withstand drought like conditions. The seeds of horse gram are consumed and are considered very nutritional. M. Uniflora (horsegram) is a perennial … Read More “Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. Family- Fabaceae (pea family)” »

Striga asiatica (l.) Kuntze. Family Orobachaceae (Broomrape family)

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026 Rajesh Ramnarayan

Coimbatore, Sub-shrubs and Herbs, Tamil Nadu

Common Name: Asiatic Witchweed. Tamil Name: Pallipoondu Genus stria(meaning “witch”) consists of more than 30 species and are mostly centered around African continent. They are hemi-parasitic plants. The roots are succulent and penetrate into the host plant body to draw vital nutrients. As they grow and mature they are able to photosynthesize: but are still … Read More “Striga asiatica (l.) Kuntze. Family Orobachaceae (Broomrape family)” »

Impatiens balsamina L. (Family Balsaminaceae)

January 24, 2026January 24, 2026 Rajesh Ramnarayan

Coimbatore, Ornamental, Sub-shrubs and Herbs

Common Name: Garden Balsam Tamil Name: I balsamina is an annual- a popular garden plant world over; and comes in various colors like white, orange, purple and in double colors. The plant grows to around 1 to 1.5 feet in height. The stem is hairy, thick, fleshy and translucent. The leafs are simple and elliptical … Read More “Impatiens balsamina L. (Family Balsaminaceae)” »

Crotalaria beddomeana (Thoth. & A.A.Ansari). Family Fabaceae

January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 Rajesh Ramnarayan

Coimbatore, Shrub

Crotalaria comes under fabaceae family and consists of more than 700 species. The pea shaped flowers are mostly yellow in color and attractive, the fruit is in form of a turgid pod. This genus is also referred to as “rattle pod” as their kidney shaped seeds rattle inside their pods. This particular plant grows to … Read More “Crotalaria beddomeana (Thoth. & A.A.Ansari). Family Fabaceae” »

Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M.Sm

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 Rajesh Ramnarayan

Coimbatore, Ornamental, Shrub, Tamil Nadu

Common Name: Shell ginger Alpinia genus belongs to the ginger family and has more than representative 200 species. These plants are more often found in tropical and sub-tropical areas around South East Asia. They lack true stem and have psedostems and are rhizomatous perennials. They typically have long sheet like leafs which overlap and flowers … Read More “Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M.Sm” »