Black Pepper (Kurumulak)

Mulberry

Ocimum sanctum (Krishnathulasi)

Holy basil (Krishna Thulsi) in bloom

Young Thulsi plants

Lotus Pond (Thamara)

Mangostene

Clove (Grampoo)

Biophytum sensitivum (മുക്കുറ്റി Malayalam name: Mukkutti)

Mukkutti

Mukkutti is medicinal and part of Desapushpam: Photo credit : Jyotsna. V.

Myristica fragrance/ Nutmeg (Jathikka)

Saraca asoca (Ashokam)

Garcinia cambogea (Kudampuli)

Nellippuli

Nambiar Mango (mangifera indica)

Nambiar Mango is a delicious variety seen in northern part of Kerala, especially in Kuttiattoor village of  Kannur district. This special variety is also known as Kuttiattoor mangoes. This has its own unique place in the mango market. A society has been constituted to promote and protect this variety. Kuttiattoor grama panchayat plans on obtaining a Geographical Indication for the “Kuttiattoor mangoes”,  while the Nambiar Maha Sabha (NMS) has taken objection and wants the mangoes to be called “Nambiar mangoes”. photo © florakerala

Kerala Rice Fields

Water logged rice fields of Kerala, with coconut trees on the boarders. A scene from Kottayam district

Bauhinia acuminata (വെള്ളമന്ദാരം)

വെള്ളമന്ദാരം. Photo credit @ Jyotsna V.

Gauva Flowers (Perakka)

Water Lily

Floral Bed

King's Mantle

Thunbergia erecta or bushclock vine. A garden plant usually planted on the hedges. Photo credit: Jyotsna V.

Ramputan

Photo credit: Jyotsna .V

Agasthyarkoodam

அகத்திய மலை/അഗസ്ത്യമല

Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala and is a part of the Kalakkadu-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of the Western Ghats. It is at an elevation of 1868 meters or 6129 feet and rich in vegetation. There will be restricted permission for visitors for trekking during January to February every year. Trekkers need to walk 35 kilometers through the forest from the Bonacaud, around 50 kilometer away from the Thiruvananthapuram city. There is a forest base station at Athirumala to rest. More than 2000 medicinal plants, have been identified from the Agasthyamala biosphere. Arogyapacha, a rejuvenating herb was first identified from here.

Vazhachal Athirappally

Athirapally

Vazhachal

 Vazhachal

Vazhachal

Plantation corporation guest house at Vazhachal

 Vazhachal

Vazhachal

Athirapally and Vazhachal are located just five km apart, on the edge of the Sholayar forest ranges in Thrissur district in Kerala. This area is rich in riverine forests and diverse flora and fauna

Herbal Garden in Athirappilly

Herbal Garden in Athirappilly

Munnar Tea Estate

Kakkappove/കാക്കപ്പൂവ്‌

കാക്കപ്പൂവ്‌

Water Lily /ആമ്പല്‍

Water-lily (ആമ്പല്‍ Ambal in Malayalam) belongs to Nymphaeceae and is very common in ponds and waterlogged areas, especially in Kuttanad. Its stem is submerged in the ground and the long petiole holds the leaves up above the water level. The flower colour may be white, bluish or bright pink.