Common Name: Erect prickly pear, Common prickly pear. Tamil Name: Chappathikalli Erect prickly pear is a shrub of Coastal American origin, it grows to a height of about 4 feet. The leafs are rudimentary and fall off quickly. The stem is in the form of flat green succulent structures called cladode. These cladode are ovate … Read More “Opuntia stricta (Cactaceae- Cactus family)” »
Common name: Wooly cassia, Hairy senna. Tamil Name: Malaiyavarai Wooly cassia is native to South America, it is a sub-shrub that grows to around 2 feet in height. It has been naturalized in India, often seen on road-sides and fallow lands in hilly areas of Western Ghats. Generally prefers the mid-altitude areas- between 700 MSL … Read More “Senna hirsuta (Caesalpiniaceae- Gulmohar family)” »
Common Name: Mexican flame vine Mexican flame vine is native to Mexico and is much valued as an ornamental fast growing vine. It is woody glabrous vine and grows to around 6 m. The simple leaves are arranged in an alternate manner. The leaf shape is narrow tapering-almost triangular. The base is truncate or slightly … Read More “Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides (Asteraceae- Sunflower family)” »
Common Name: Chickweed. Chickweed is an annual of Eurasian origin, often found in disturbed shola forest edges and road-sides in Nilgiris. The plant is mostly seen to grow prostrate; however the flowers are found mostly erect. It spreads fast in moist areas and prefers the cool climate of the hills. The stem is gree in … Read More “Stellaria media (Caryophyllaceae- Carnation family)” »
Common Name: Wax leaved climber, Indian sarsaparilla. Tamil Name: Pala Koti Wax leaved climber is a twinning climber with milky sap, it is often found on road-side and fences in rural areas. The simple leaves are arranged in an opposite manner. The leaves are bright green with a waxy surface and the leaf margin is … Read More “Cryptolepis buchananii (Apocynaceae- Oleander family)” »
