Western Ghats

Begonia picta The Begonia picta is a true botanical marvel. This mesmerizing plant, also known as the "Painted-Leaf Begonia", boasts an array of striking features that make it a favorite among plant enthusiasts and collectors. This is my favourite Begonia species from the Western ghats...!😉 The species name ‘picta’ means 'painted' referring to the variegation

Impatiens leschenaultii The botanical world is a treasure trove of extraordinary plant species, each with its unique characteristics and beauty. Impatiens leschenaultii, often referred to as Leschenault's Balsam, is a botanical gem that belongs to the family Balsaminaceae. It was first discovered in the early 19th century by the French

Impatiens latifolia Impatiens latifolia is a beautiful species of Impatiens that is endemic to the South Western Ghats. The species name 'latifolia' means 'with wide leaves'. The plant's leaves are of a gorgeous shape! The plant grows as undershrubs in Shola forests, especially near streams. The flowers are pinkish. The

Globba sessiliflora In the enchanting world of botanical wonders, the Swan Flower, scientifically known as Globba sessiliflora, stands out as a captivating and delicate species. Globba sessiliflora, also referred to as the Swan Flower, is a tropical and subtropical plant native to Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The

Ariopsis peltata Ariopsis peltata is an annual herb distributed in India and Western malaysia. It has beautiful heart shaped ‘peltate’ leaves, hence the species name - peltata. Peltate means the petiole is attached to the middle of the leaf instead of the margin like most plants have. These plants grow

Please click on the images for enlarged view. Introduction Velliangiri hills are a series of hills in the Western Ghats of Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu. It is located in the Boluvampatti forest range of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Velliangiri hills is a popular pilgrimage center in Southern India. It is

1. Introduction Impatiens are a genus of plants belonging to the family Balsaminaceae. The family Balsaminaceae consists of two genera. One being Impatiens and the other Hydrocera with only one species - Hydrocera triflora. Impatiens is however a large and diverse genus with more than 1000 species of plants. Impatiens

Introduction Impatiens elegans - the elegant balsam is a common, yet beautiful species of Balsam found in the Western Ghats of India. It is during the bountiful monsoon months these beautiful plants erupt in abundance and decorate the forest floor, streams and small waterfalls that run through the forests with

About Velliangiri Mountains Velliangiri hills is a known to the others as a pilgrimage center and people see it as "sacred". For for plant lovers like me, it is a paradise of plant diversity! The Velliangiri hills constitute of different varieties of forests that occur at different altitudes. As the

Christisonia tubulosa The Magenta Ghost Flower is a parasitic plant that is endemic to Southern Western Ghats, which means it is not found in any other part of the World. It grows as a root parasite and completely lacks leaves and chlorophyll. So, it solely depends upon other plants for