Common name: Narrow-leafed swertia Narrow-leaf swertia is a herbaceous perennial and grows to a height of about 2 feet. Found on grassland in low altitude hills in and around Anaikatti hills. : uncommon for our area. The stem is square in cross-section. The simple leafs are arranged in an opposite and decussate manner; leaf margin … Read More “Swertia angustifolia – Gentianaceae (Gentian family)” »
Common name: Indian Elm. Tamil name: Aya maram Indian elm is a large deciduous tree native to the Indian sub-continent and grows to over 30 meters in height. The tree sends down drooping branches after attaining a certain height. This tree is mostly seen along the plains in Western ghats and probably absent in mid … Read More “Holoptelea integrifolia- Ulmaceae (Elm family)” »
Common name: Arabian wax cissus. Tamil name: Elaipirandai Arabian wax Cissus is an evergreen climber with greenish stem and spreads around nearby vegetations. It can easily spread wide by as much as 5-6 meters. The plant has leaf opposite tendrils which enable them spread out. The entire plant has succulent, fleshy with a smooth look. … Read More “Cissus rotundifolia -Vitaceae (Grape family)” »
Common name: Karonda. Tamil name: Kalakkai Karonda is a straggling shrub with milky sap that grows to about 2-3 meters in height. Mostly found on deciduous and dry areas of Western ghats, prefers mid altitude regions. The simple leaves are arranged in an opposite manner.The plant is well armed with several axillary spines. The leafs … Read More “Carissa carandas -Apocynaceae (Oleander family)” »
Common name: Asiatic beechberry. Tamil name: Nilak kumizh, Mulkumizh. Asiatic beechberry is a straggling shrub native to the Indo-China region and grows to a height of about 2 meters. The branching pattern is horizontal. In dry zones like Tiruvannamalai district this plant grows prostrate and branches horizontally in all directions. In these areas they are … Read More “Gmelina asiatica- Verbenaceae (Verbenia family)” »
