Common name: Warty marble tree. Tamil name: Malampinnai, Rudraksham Warty marble tree belongs to the Indo-Malayan region it grows to over 40 meters in height. However, most of the trees i have seen in Nilgiris look much smaller. The is rather uncommon in Wester ghats area. I have seen a few of these trees inside … Read More “Elaeocarpus tuberculatus- Elaeocarpaceae (Rudraksh family)” »
Common name: Shield leaf ariopsis. Local name: Kalthamara A peltata is a small herb endemic to the western ghat regions of India. It is found on mountainous rocky cliff surfaces in Tropical habitat areas of the Western Ghats. The leafs are arranged in an alternate manner and have a heart shaped base and are orbicular … Read More “Ariopsis peltata – Araceae (Arum family)” »
Common Name: Hairy mistletoe This is a hemirparasitic (they have chlorophyll and undertake photosynthesis but also depend on host plant for water and nutrients) perennial shrub mostly seen around tropical forest areas at altitudes of more than in 500 msl. It is an shrub with attaches to the host plant via haustoria- to extract water … Read More “Taxillus tomentosus- Loranthaceae (Mistletoe family)” »
Common Name: Shrubby leucas. Shrubby leucas is a sub-shrub found which grows to around 1.5 feet high and is endemic to the Indian Peninsular region. It is found in shola forest areas and shola grasslands and prefers the high altitude areas of Western ghats. The shoots are square in shape, with long hairs seen on … Read More “Leucas suffruticosa- Lamiaceae (Mint family)” »
Common name: Bellflower balsam. Bellflower balsam is endemic to Wester ghats region it grows to a height of about 1-1.5 feet in height. It is a perennial seen in shola evergreen forest areas in Western ghats. Sometimes seen on undisturbed road sides in hill station towns like Munnar. The simple leafs are arranged in an … Read More “Impatiens campanulata- Balsaminaceae (Balsam family)” »
