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)” »
Ranunculus reniformis is endemic to the Western ghats area of Tamilnadu and Kerala. It is a rare perennial herbaceous plant found above 2000 msl in shola grassland habitat. The simple leaves form a rosette at the base of the stem. They are unlobed, orbicular in shape with a crenate margin. The leaf length measures around 6-7 cm. … Read More “Ranunculus reniformis -Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)” »
Common name: Nilgiri cheese wood Tamil name: Analivegam Nilgiris cheese wood is seen around evergreen shola forest areas, and prefers the elevation range of 1500 msl to 2300 msl. The tree grows to a height of about 5-6 meters. It is one of most handsome trees of the shola forest, especially when in full bloom. … Read More “Pittosperum neelgherrense- Pittosporaceae (Cheese wood family)” »
