Welcome!
I am writing about herbs in the 2016 April AtoZ blogging challenge. Most of the herbs written in this series are those I have seen or used. Many are not very tall either, and flowers are often only the size of a finger nail or smaller. I thought identifying them was the difficult part but I was wrong. Choosing which herb to write about has been more difficult!!
Without much ado, let me introduce you to my H herb... It is Hygrophila schulli also called Talim Khana in Marathi and Kokilaksha in Sanskrit. I spotted this armed (meaning a plant with thorns) herb due to its striking purple flowers in an otherwise almost bare patch of land near Satara. These blossoms were in tough competition with the ancient temple close by and which was the basic purpose of our visit there!
There were a few specimens growing near a small pond and all had long yellow axiallary spines. the entire plant was hairy as were its leaves. The flowers had bracts and bracteoles which is seen in the Acanthaceae family. The purple corolla was bi-labiate meaning two petals on top and three below. Identification was using the FOS app by Shrikant Ingalhalikar.
Some texts have classified Hygrophila schuli a subshrub so here is another H herb seen in during our morning walks, namely the Hyptis suaveolens of the Laminaceae family. The most striking feature of this herb is its quadrangular stem and highly fragrant leaves!
Have these posts inspired you to look more closely at the tiny flowers growing around you?
I am sure are many beautiful blossoms just waiting for you..
Enjoy!
I am writing about herbs in the 2016 April AtoZ blogging challenge. Most of the herbs written in this series are those I have seen or used. Many are not very tall either, and flowers are often only the size of a finger nail or smaller. I thought identifying them was the difficult part but I was wrong. Choosing which herb to write about has been more difficult!!
Without much ado, let me introduce you to my H herb... It is Hygrophila schulli also called Talim Khana in Marathi and Kokilaksha in Sanskrit. I spotted this armed (meaning a plant with thorns) herb due to its striking purple flowers in an otherwise almost bare patch of land near Satara. These blossoms were in tough competition with the ancient temple close by and which was the basic purpose of our visit there!
There were a few specimens growing near a small pond and all had long yellow axiallary spines. the entire plant was hairy as were its leaves. The flowers had bracts and bracteoles which is seen in the Acanthaceae family. The purple corolla was bi-labiate meaning two petals on top and three below. Identification was using the FOS app by Shrikant Ingalhalikar.
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| Notice the corolla |
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| Yellow spines |
Have these posts inspired you to look more closely at the tiny flowers growing around you?
I am sure are many beautiful blossoms just waiting for you..
Enjoy!
14 comments:
What beautiful plants. And what an interesting way to tackle the A to Z challenge. I love learning about the flora surrounding us. So glad you stopped by our blog at ThePlaguedParent.com Can't wait to see what else you do.
Definitely inspired to appreciate the small things!
Cheers,
Seena
#AtoZChallenge- H is for Hormones
Thanks for visiting my blog Anthony.
@Seena, so happy to see you here every day.. Cheers!!!
Yes, next time when I see abt I will research it
Its good to know so much good facts about them .
@dixita011 from
Cafenined words
Wow! You indeed have an eye for plants. I find it difficult to identify plants at times. Such informative post.
Reema D’souza from
Reem Writes...
Thanks Dixita mour.
@Reema Thank you so much ! :)
Love this post!
@CazsBooks
Http://cazgreenham.blogspot.com/
#azchat
Unfortunately, if it doesn't look like something I planted I tear it out. Now, I'll have to spend time figuring out what has 'popped up' in the garden.
@Caz Thanks a ton!!! :) :)
@Denise - yes I can see that unwanted plants growing in plant beds must be irritating. They would have to be removed else primary plantations will not thrive. Tough choices !
Have a good day!
You've got such an interesting theme. I have never heard of that herb. Those purple flowers look familiar but can't say for sure. I'm going to be a bit more alert :) good one!!
Your posts are surely inspiring me to take a closer look at the plants around me. Loving knowing the herbs I never paid attention to in the earlier days :)
@theerailivedin from The Era I Lived In
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