Siam Tulip (Curcuma alismatifolia)

This new plant recently introduced in many nurseries in India is Siam Tulip or scientifically known as Curcuma alismatifolia. The plant belongs to Haladi (Curcuma) family, i.e. Zingiberaceae. This plant has rhizomes like all other curcuma species. Rhizomes which remain dormant in winter to early summer start growing in late summer and start flowering in Monsoon. Inflorescence is borne on a tall stalk. They are also used in floral arrangements. The flowers are supposed to be edible, that is, they are cooked as vegetable. This plant is native to South Asia. The plant is easily propagated by division of rhizomes.

Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabellifer)

This palm is also known as Toddy palm, Sugar palm, ताडगोला (Tadgola)  and तालवृक्ष (Talvriksha) in Sanskrit. This palm is native to India and has several uses. Its references are available in ancient literature. In fact many ancient scriptures were written, and are still available, on leaves of the same tree. This palm is unisexual, that is a male and female flowers are found on separate individuals. Most parts of the tree are used. Leaves are used for making many useful and novelty items. In Tamilnadu I had seen the large leaf stalks being made in to brushes and brooms. Leaves are used to thatch the huts. Trunks of dead trees are used as columns for huts. Neera and Toddy are extracted from the inflorescence of this tree. Neera from the female tree is said to be sweeter than that of the male tree.

Male & female trees

Male inflorescence

Female inflorescence

Fruit seller in Mumbai

Unlike coconut palms, which tend to grow crooked trunks, this palm normally has absolutely erect stem. Its leaves are of fan shaped and the crown looks almost spherical. Tender fruits of this palm contain jelly-like kernel is 3 parts. Each individual section is covered with paper thin skin. Each section contains sweet nectar. If the fruits mature then the Kernels become rubbery and the nectar disappears. Absolutely ripe oozes yellow and stinking juice. The seeds of this mature fruit can be used to propagate new palms. Some years ago I had sown a seed of this palm which took more than a year to sprout.

Ripe fruit

Seed

It is a favourite tree of Baya birds to hang their nests from. In fact fibers of the leaves of this palm or of the coconut leaves are normally used by these birds to weave their wonderful nests. Earlier when vultures very in plenty, they used to roost on these trees. Due to their heavy weights and their droppings many Palmyra palms used to get deformed leaves.

Baya nests

http://mahaforest.gov.in/fieldoffice/internal.php?lang_eng_mar=Mar&MID=1&oid=34

As the old leaves wither, they remain stuck to the trunks for months together. Gaps between leaf stalks and the trunk collect a lot of debris. Many Ficus species are found to be growing in these pockets. These Ficus plants grow there as a result of the birds' dropping, which eat Ficus figs. The Palmyra trees shelter and nourish these Ficus babies but as these Ficus grow larger, they anchor their roots in the ground and gradually cover the palm and finally strangle the palms to death. Such fig plants are called as 'Strangler figs'.

Strangler fig

In Achrya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden in Kolkata has a beautiful avenue made of these trees. Scientific name of the palm is Borassus flabellifer and it belongs to Arecaceae family, to which all palms belong.

Avenue

Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum)

This tiny fruit is not only edible & tasty but it has a miracle property. Miracle fruit-bearing plant is a large shrub, growing to about 5 meters in height. Though it is a large shrub, it can be planted in large pots. The plant needs bright sunlight. Tiny flowers are white and red berries are about 2cm long. Fruting takes place normally in monsoon and in winter. It is native to Tropical region of West Africa.

This miracle fruit is quite tasty. Each fruit has a single seed of which size is of about Custard apple seed. Now why this fruit is called as Miracle fruit is that, when eaten, the taste buds sensing sour taste get numb; thus any sour fruit like lemon, amla or imli eaten after eating this fruit very sweet. This miraculous effect can last for about 10 minutes. Saplings of this shrub are available in local nurseries also. The plant is easily propagated with seed. Plants grown from seeds may take about 3 to 4 years for fruiting.

Synsepalum dulcificum is scientific name of this plant and it belongs to Sapotaceae family, to which chikoo (Sapota) also belongs.

Balloon vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum )

Balloon vine gets its name because of its fruit which resemble balloons. This climber is also known as कानफुटी (Kanfuti) or कपालफोडी (Kapalfodi), Heart-seed etc. It is a small annual climber growing up to 3 to 4 meters length. The climber climbs by clinging to support with its tendrils. Fruit of this plant is a capsule with very thin membranous skin. It has three compartments, each containing a single black seed. The seed has a white scar resembling a heart; hence the common name 'Heart-seed'.

This plant is supposed to have certain medicinal properties. However, its medicinal properties are not yet properly researched. It is also reported being used in Homeopathy. It is found in tropical areas of India and quite often considered as a weed. Its scientific name is Cardiospermum halicacabum and belongs to Sapindaceae family. It is easily propagated with seeds.

अर्कपुष्पी (Holostemma ada-kodien)

This is the name of a flowering climber which is perennial and is of medium size. It has thick and long roots. Leaves are slightly woolly on underside. Flowers resemble flowers of Calotropis (आक, अर्क, रुई). Inside of petals has a pinkish-maroon vertical band. Flowers are pleasantly scented. Central crown-like part is edible. The plant climbs by twining around a support. It has twin pods which have numerous seeds. The seeds have silky tufts. With help of the silky tufts the seeds are dispersed far and wide.

The climber is said to have many medicinal uses. Extensive collection of these plants for medicinal uses and due to lack of habitat this climber is becoming rare. As such, it is now considered as an endangered species. It is native to India. It belongs to Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed) family. This climber can be propagated from seeds or by root cuttings also.