Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants can be divided in four categories; namely: (a) Bog plants
(b) Anchored to sub-soil plants (c) Free floating plants. (d) Submersed plants.

Bog plants are those which grow in soil but need stagnant water near their roots all the time. Example: Acorus calamus (वेखंड), Cyperus alternifolius (Umbrella palm) and Typha angusta (रामबाण).

Acorus calamus

Acorus calamus variegated

Cypers alternifolius

Cyperus prolifer

Limnocharis flava

Sagittaria montevidensis

Sagittaria sagittifolia

Anchored to sub-soil plants are those of which roots are submersed in water but leaves/flowers grow on surface of water or outside water. Examples: Water lily, Lotus.

Nymphaea species

Free floating plants remain floating in water and can float away along with flowing water. Examples: Pistia stratiotes (Water cabbage), Lemna minor (Duck weed), Salvinia auriculata (Water ferns), Ludwigia sidioides (Water mosaic) and Azolla pinnata.

Water cabbage

Duck weed

Water mosaic

Submersed plants are those which grow entirely underwater. They are also called as aerating or oxygenating plants; because they replenish oxygen contents of water. Such plants are used in fish tanks. Examples: Vallisneria spiralis and Cabomba. 

Cabomba

Vallisneria spiralis

Hydrilla verticillata

Cyperus fan

The plant which we call as "Umbrella palm" is not at all a palm. Its botanical name is 'Cyperus alternifolius'. This particular plant has tall stems. All the leaves are clustered in a whorl in a spiral form at the end of each stem. The whorl of the leaves resembles a fan .The plant can be propagated by division. Keep a whorl of leaves, with only a small stub of stem attached to it floating in wide bowl of water. This too would produce new plantlets. This plant normally grows in slushy soils. But it can be grown as a pot plant too. By planting these near a pond or near a waterfall would give the landscape its natural look.

To make children more interested in nature one can show them various things which would kindle their curiosity. Making a fan of Cyperus leaves is very easy & would be of great interest not only for children but for people of all ages. Witness it in this post.

Manicoba Rubber Tree. Manihot glaziovii. Family: Euphorbiaceae

Manihot glaziovii is a fast growing medium size tree. In winter it is leafless. But otherwise it is a quite attractive tree. The tree can be shaped to desired size & shape by regular trimming. I had collected a few seeds from Lalbaug Gardens at Bengaluru. A tree from a seed is now growing at Go Green Nursery in Panvel. This plant is a close relative of Tapioca shrub.

I always wondered why this tree was called as 'Manicoba Rubber tree'. One day I found that some gum had oozed out of the trunk. When I saw it, it was dry. The dry blob of the gum was only about 3mm in diameter. When I pulled it, I got the answer why it is called as a rubber tree. Some fresh gum I also applied on a polyethylene sheet like a narrow band with a camel hair brush. When dry, the band was removed and was stretched at both the ends. See it yourself in the video.

Gustavia augusta

Gustavia augusta is an evergreen, slow growing tree of medium size. Large, deep green leaves are attractive and grow densely. Flowers are large and are pink coloured. It is native to South America. In some countries it is called as Heaven Lotus. This tree also belongs to family of Kailashpati कैलाशपती or Cannonball tree. Scientifically the family is called ‘Lecythidaceae’.

Gustavia augusta

Gustavia augusta

Gustavia augusta

Gustavia augusta

Gustavia augusta, white flower variety

The tree is propagated with seeds. The fruit is size of about chicken egg and contains as many as 10 to 16 seeds. Propagation is mainly with sowing seeds. Seeds take about 30 days to sprout. I also tried air layering. However, it took 5 years for the air layered branch to form roots.

Foilage of Gustavia augusta

Fruit

Seeds in a fruit

Seeds

A stem rooted 5 years after air layering

Gustavia insignis

This is a large shrub with slow growth. It is an evergreen shrub; which tends to grow more erect. Leaves of this plant grow on growing tips of the branches in a spirally whorled fashion.

Gustavia insignis

Gustavia insignis

Gustavia insignis

The leaves are quite attractive. Flowers are most beautiful, with blushing pink coloured petals. As they age they show some shades of purple.

Gustavia insignis foiliage

http://gardentia.net/2013/08/16/gustavia-insignis/

New buds peeping from foliage

Origin of this plant is South America. The plant bears fruit and can be propagated with seeds. However, I tried propagating it with root cuttings and I am happy to say that I have succeeded. A single root cutting can make 2 to 5 saplings. This shrub belongs to family of Kailashpati (कैलाशपती) or Cannonball tree. Scientifically the family is called 'Lecythidaceae'.

Hibiscus grafting

One of the gardeners in a nursery, where I visit as a horticultural consultant, was taught grafting by me. To test his skill, I asked him to do grafting on a hibiscus plant. I also told him that I will be video shooting the procedure. He was doing it for the first time. Normally a person doing such things in front of a teacher, and that too when one knows that video shooting is going on, the novice gets nervous; his hands shake. But see the gardener doing it so confidently. Passed with 100% marks.