Tamil Nadu – Page 9

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)” »

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” »

Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis (Rubiaceae- Coffee family)

April 13, 2024April 13, 2024 Rajesh Ramnarayan

Coimbatore, Ornamental, Shrub, Tamil Nadu

Common Name: Gardenia, Cape Jasmine. Cape jasmine is native to the South East Asian region and is shrub that grows to around 10 feet in height. The glossy elliptic shaped leaves are arranged in an opposite manner. The flowers are large and white in color which fade into cream on maturing. The shrub has a … Read More “Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis (Rubiaceae- Coffee family)” »

Erythrina subumbrans (Hassk.) Merr. (Fabaceae- Pea family)

March 14, 2024March 14, 2024 Rajesh Ramnarayan

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Trees

Common Name: Mysore coral tree. Tamil Name: Erabudu. Mysore coral tree is native to the Indochina region and grows to a height of 20 meters. It is generally seen between 500 MSL to around 1500 MSL in the Western ghat region. Often deployed in Coffee agro-forestry systems as a shade tree. Mysore coral tree is … Read More “Erythrina subumbrans (Hassk.) Merr. (Fabaceae- Pea family)” »

Archidendron clypearia (Jack) I.C.Nielsen (Fabaceae)

January 23, 2024January 23, 2024 Rajesh Ramnarayan

Endemic, Shrub, Tamil Nadu

Tamil Name: Malaivagei. I found this unarmed plant in Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (above 2000 MSL)in Kerala around Jan 2024. I initially thought it was a Albizia species, it was later proved wrong. This is a large shrub or somewhat a small tree. The leaves are bipinnate and the leaflets arranged in an opposite manner. The … Read More “Archidendron clypearia (Jack) I.C.Nielsen (Fabaceae)” »