Teenvira, Alibaug
Wetlands are areas where still water covers the soil and the ground is very wet. They can be found in and along the boundaries of rivers, lakes or ponds. Most plants in a wetland ecosystem like Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) and Nymphea (water lilies) are coated with oil or wax that helps them to float. Their […]
In a kitchen garden, one can grow spices, leafy vegetables, fruits, tubers, herbs, grains and flowers. These gardens can be set up on your balcony, terrace, windowsill or any open space around the home. All you need is a sunny spot, soil, water and a few pots. Growing your own food is not only fun […]
Spices comprise the aromatic parts of tropical plants or the dried seeds or fruit of temperate plants traditionally used to flavour food. Some spices come from the bark like Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon) or roots like Curcuma longa (turmeric) but the majority are seeds like Ammomum subulatum (cardamom) or dried fruits like Piper nigrum (pepper). Many […]
Bamboo is the largest member of the grass family and also one of the fastest growing plants in the world. Certain Bamboo species can grow at a speed of 3 cms per hour! Bamboos can grow as tall as 100 feet in height and 2 feet diameter. Bamboos are widely used to make houses, mats, […]
Popular around the globe for their beauty and variety, orchids are the largest family of plants in the entire world. Orchids can live on the ground (terrestrial forms) like Spathoglottis plicata, attached to woody plants (epiphytic types) like Hoya wightii or even thrive under the ground. Orchids benefit their host trees by recycling nitrogen in […]
The genus Ficus, with its diversity of species, high productivity and its role as a keystone species in several ecosystems forms the cradle of life in most of wild India. The Ficus or Fig tree is home to birds, butterflies, monkeys and bats. Fig trees also hold great cultural significance; Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under […]
Sacred Groves are forest patches traditionally protected by native communities due to religious significance. These undisturbed forests provide a safe haven to several species of flora and fauna since no form of life can be harmed in a Sacred Grove. Maharashtra has about 250 sacred groves, known as Devraai which provide many ecosystem services like […]
The use of plants for medical treatment is believed to have started over 60,000 years ago. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek and Chinese civilizations have all documented the use of medicinal plants to cure infections, treat injuries and supplement nutrition. At least 35,000 plant species are estimated to have medicinal value and more than 7,000 medicinal […]
Grasses form the fundamental link in most food chains and are spread across all continents with more than 10,000 different species. Grasses are the main food source of all herbivores from tiny caterpillars to mammoth elephants. Grasses also constitute the largest component of human diet worldwide. Grasses provide all of our cereal crops such as […]
Over 300 million years ago, before there were trees and shrubs, there were Ferns! Ferns were the first plant species to develop true roots, stems and leaves. Ferns are flowerless plants that have feathery leaves called ‘fronds’. Unlike other plants, ferns reproduce by spores found under their fronds. These spores are the favoured food of […]