Memecylon umbellatum
Scientific name: Memecylon umbellatum English name: Ironwood Malayalam name : കായാമ്പൂ / കാശാവ് Location of the plant: Chooral, Kannur Conservation status: Not evaluated Memecylon umbellatum commonly known as ironwood is a large evergreen shrub. It's commonly present in habitats like semi-evergreen, shola, and moist deciduous forests, also in plains [...]
Clerodendrum infortunatum
Scientific Name: Clerodendrum infortunatumEnglish Name: Bhat or Hill Glory BowerMalayalam: വട്ടപ്പെരുക്Family: LamiaceaeLocation: Ambalavayal, Wayanad , KeralaConservation status: Not evaluated (IUCN).General Features: A large, tawny-villous shrub, up to 3m. Leaves are simple, opposite; both surfaces are sparsely villous-pubescent. Inflorescence in a terminal, peduncled, few-flowered cyme; flowers white with purplish-pink or dull-purple [...]
Shendurney wildlife sanctuary
A part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the Western Ghats. Located in Thenmala, Pathanapuram taluk of Kollam district, Kerala, with a notified area of 171 sq.km., the sanctuary was established in the year 1984. It derives its name [...]
Rivina humilis
Name: Rivina humilisEnglish name: BloodberryMalayalam name: ManithakkaliLocation: Vettilappara, AreekodeConservation status: G5GENERAL FEATURESHabit: Perennial herbHabitat: Forest margins, thickets, disturbed areasDistinguishing features:• Stem is grooved and glabrous• Leaves are simple, alternate, entire with a wavy margin• Leaf lamina supported by a long slender petiole.• Base of the lamina is ovate and the [...]
Centella asiatica
Centella asiaticaIndian pennywortമുത്തിൾVadakaraLeast concernIndigenous to Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia. Grows in swampy areas but can cultivate in the soil as long as they are watered regularly.Stems are slender, creeping stolons, leaves are borne on pericardial petioles. Flowers are white, born in small, rounded bunches. Each flower is partly closed in [...]
Life of Ants – കുഞ്ഞനുറുമ്പുകളുടെ വലിയലോകം – Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan
Wildlife Talks Life of Ants – കുഞ്ഞനുറുമ്പുകളുടെ വലിയലോകം Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan, a member of the Ants Research Group at Travancore Nature History Society(TNHS) and one of the founders of TNHS. Dr. Kalesh did extensive studies of ants in the Western Ghats and published the checklist of [...]
Neuropeltis malabarica
Text and Illustration: Drisya V. V.Scientific Name: Neuropeltis malabarica Ooststr.Family: ConvolvulaceaeMalayalam Name: PattilavalliLocation of the plant: MadayipparaEndemism: Endemic to southern western ghats (Kerala).Habit: Woody climberDescription: Large woody climbers; stem lenticellate; young branches brown tomentose, terete, later glabrous with warty tubercles. Leaves simple, alternate, elliptic or oblong 5-12 x 2-5 cm, [...]
Curcuma aromatica
Scientific name: Curcuma aromaticaEnglish name: Wild turmeric Cochin turmericMalayalam name: KasturimanjalLocation: Vellarakkad ThrissurConservation status: Threatened as per IUCN Red ListHabit: Perennial herbHabitat: TerrestrialFeatures: Monocotyledonous with pseudostem., Rhizome underground aromatic with orange-yellow inside., Inflorescence spike with purple crown and yellowish-green bracts., Flower brownish yellow color., Inflorescence usually appears from the rhizome before [...]
Bauhinia phoenicea
Bauhinia phoenicea is a large climbing shrub of the family Leguminosae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae. This species is one of the very few climbing Bauhinia in India and is endemic to the Western Ghats. The plant is locally known as Vallimandaram and often reaches the canopy of tall trees in Semi-evergreen and evergreen [...]