Flowers of K E R A L A

DECEMBER 2010 (IYB): Biophytum reinwardtii

NOVEMBER 2010 (IYB): Bauhinia phoenicea

 

OCTOBER 2010 (IYB): Cassia fistula

Copyright M S K Raj 2010

• Plant family: FABACEAE
• Common Name: Golden shower (English.); Kanikonna (Malayalam)
• Cultural value:  'State flower' of Kerala.
• Eco-value: Monitor plant of Climate change. 
• Medicinal value: Leaves are laxative, antiperiodic and depurative. Fruits are sweet, cooling, purgative, carminative, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and ophthalmic.
• Ritual value: Used in flower-sighting ceremony (Vishukkani) in first day of Medam (April-May), the first month of the astronomical New Year (9th month of Kollavarsham or Malayalam Era)

 

SEPTEMBER 2010 (IYB): Evolvulus alsinoides

 Copyright M S K Raj 2010

 

• Plant family: CONVOLVULACEAE
  • • •  
• Common Name: Dwarf-morning glory (English); Vishnukranthi (Malayalam)
• Medicinal: Leaves used in treating chronic bronchitis and asthma. 
• Flowers in Rituals: As Dasapushpa

 

 

AUGUST 2010 (IYB): Vitex negundo

Copyright M S K Raj  2010

 

• Plant family: VERBENACEAE
  • • •  
• Common Name: Chaste tree (English); Karinochi (Malayalam)
• Medicinal: Leaves are astringent, febrifuge, sedative, tonic and vermifuge

 

 

AUGUST 2010 (IYB): Cissus quadrangularis

Copyright M S K Raj 2010 

• Plant family: VITACEAE
  • • •  
• Common Name: Asthisanhari (Sanskrit); Changalumparanda (Malayalam)
• Medicinal: Healing bone fractures

 

 

 

 

JUNE 2010 (IYB): Vallaris solanacea

Copyright M S Kiranraj 2010

 

• Plant family: APOCYNACEAE
  • • •  
• Common Name: Bread flower (English); Attukottappala (Malayalam)
• Medicinal: In treatment of wounds, sores, fever, toothaches and gingivitis.

 

 

 

MAY 2010 (IYB): Lagerstroemia indica

Copyright M S Kiranraj 2010

 

• Plant family: LYTHRACEAE
  • • •  
• Common Name: Parade purple, May flower (English)
• Medicinal: Tender leaves as anti-diabetic. 

 

 

APRIL 2010 (IYB): Nerium oleander

Copyright M S Kiranraj 2010

 

• Plant family: APOCYNACEAE
  • • •  
• Common Name: Oleander (English); Arali (Malayalam)
• Medicinal: Useful in cardiac asthma, chronic stomache, joint pains, leprosy and ulcers.

 

 

 

MARCH 2010 (IYB): Argyreia nervosa

Copyright M S Kiranraj 2010

 

• Plant family: CONVOLVULACEAE
  • • •  
• Common Name: Elephant creeper (English); Sanudrappacha (Malayalam)
• Medicinal:  Treatment of dyspepsia, anorexia, and ulcers.