Eco-Friendly Trees & Plants

Classification

Kingdom :	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order :	Asrerales
Family :	Calenduleae
Genus :	Calendula
Scientific Name :	Calendula officinalis
Found In :	Valley of Flowers, Ranthambore National Park

Other names : Caltha, Ganda, Gols bloom, Garden Marigold, Gold bloom, Holligold, Marybud, Pot Marigold are the other names used for the Marigold.

Description : It flowers from July to September. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). It is hardy to zone 6 and is frost tender. The lower leaves are broad and spatula shaped. Upper leaves may be oblong, are smooth at the edges, and are arranged alternately along the stem. Seeds are crescent to horseshoe shaped with the rough exterior. Its branching stem grows to the height of 30- 60 cm.

Other Species : Calendula arvensis, Calendula bicolor, Calendula eckerleinii, Calendula lanzae, Calendula maderensis, Calendula maroccana, Calendula meuselii, Calendula stellata, Calendula suffruticosa, Calendula tripterocarpa, Calendula officinalis are some of the other species of Marigold.

Location : Marigold is cultivated throughout India. It is widely grown in the Valley of Flowers, Ranthambore National Park in India.

Cultivation : Marigold plant is propagated by the seeds. They are shown during the early spring. Marigold does not need cultivation but the soil should be free from the weeds. The seeds should be shown 2cm apart. Seeds should be planted in the sunny locations. Fertilizers should be added from time to time. They require damp to wet soil for the growth. The seeds are germinated in two to three weeks. It needs full sunlight for its growth.

Medicinal uses : Marigold is used for stomach upset, ulcers, menstrual period problems, eye infections, inflammations, and for wound healing. It is antiseptic. If the Marigold flower is rubbed on the affected part, it brings relief in pain and swelling caused by a wasp or bee. A lotion made from the flowers is most useful for sprains and wounds and a water distilled from them is good the sore eyes. The infusion of the freshly gathered flowers is beneficial in fever. Marigold flowers are mostly in demand foe children ailment. Externally it is used in the treatment of alopecia. Internally it is used to treat bladder and kidney problems, blood in the urine, uterine bleeding and many more.

Other uses : Bright yellow and orange Marigold flowers are used to make garlands. They are even used to decorate the religious places. The leaves of its flowers are used as salads. Yellow dye has also been extracted from the flower, by boiling. The burning herb repels insects and flies. Pigments in the Marigold are sometimes extracted and used as the food colouring for humans and livestock.

Cural Importance : It is offered to the god and Goddess on the Durga Puja.

Classification

Kingdom :	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order :	Lamiales
Family :	Oleaceae
Genus :	Jasminum
Scientific Name :	Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton
Found In :	Nagarhole National Park

Other names : Moghra, Kundumalligai, Arabian Jasmine. Mallika are some of the other names used for the Jasmine. In India Jasmine is called the 'Moonshine in the garden'.

Description : Jasmine is a evergreen semi vining shrub. It grows to the height of 8- 10 feet. The flower is about one inch. It has oval green rich leaves, which have five to nine leaflets. Each leaflet is 2-3 inches long. Jasmine flowers are white in colour. Its stems are slender, trailing, green and glaborous.

Other Species : Jasminum amplexicule, Jasminum angulare, Jasminum angusgustifolium, Jasminum arborescens, Jasminum atttenuatum, Jasminum auriculatum, azoricum, Jasminum bessianum, Jasminum cinnamomifolium, Jasminum coffeinum, Jasminum crabibianum, Jasminum cuspidatumkmkm are some of the related species of the Jasmine plant.

Location : Jasmine plant is found in almost all the parts of India. They are widely grown in the Nagarhole National Park in India.

Cultivation methods : It is propagated through the softwood cuttings, semi hard wood cuttings and through simple layering. It needs water regularly. It is mostly propagated in the summer season. It is planted 6 inches deep inside the soil. It requires moist and well drained soil. Remove the weeds present inside the soil before planting the tree. The soil should consists of cow dung before planting the Jasmine plant. It requires frequent pruning for its fast growth. It needs warm temperature and proper watering from time to time. It grows in full Sun to partial shade. It should be fertilized in a month period. Jasmine Plant should be kept at least eight feet apart in order to save the later growth of the plant from jamming together. Tips of the plants should be pinched to stimulate lateral growth and frequent prunning. Younger plants should be tied with the stems to give a fairly heavy support.

Medicinal uses : The Jasmine flower is used for removing intestinal worms and is also used for jaundice and venereal diseases. The flower buds are useful in treating ulcers, vesicles, boils, skin diseases and eye disorders. The leaves extracts against breast tumours. Drinking Jasmine tea regularly helps in curing cancer. Its oil is very effective in calming and relaxing.

Other uses : Jasmine oil is used used for making perfumes and incense. Its flowers are used to flavour Jasmine tea and other herbal or black tea. Its oil is also used in creams, shampoos and soaps. In India Jasmine flowers are stringed together to make garlands. Women in India wear this flower in their hair. Some communities even use this flower to cover the face of the bridegroom.

Cultural Importance : In India the Jasmine plant is related to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Jasmine flowes are used in the religious offerings.

Classification

Kingdom :	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order :	Proteales
Family :	Nelumbonaceae
Genus :	Nelumbo
Species :	N. nucifera
Scientific Name :	Nelumbo nucifera
Found In :	Bandhavgarh National Park, Eravikulam National Park

Other names : Ambal, Thamarai, Suriya kamal, Padma, Ambuja, Pankaja, Blue Lotus, Indian Lotus, Sacred Water lily, bean of India, Kamala, Kanwal, Kamal are the other names used for the Lotus.

Description : Lotus is the water plant. It has broad floating leaves and bright fragrant flowers. The leaves and flowers float and have long stems that contain air spaces. It has many petals overlapping in the symmetrical pattern. The root functions of the Lotus are carried out by rhizomes that fan out horizontally through the mud below the water. The round leaves are upto 50 cm in diameter. The flowers are rosy pink with little bit of white shade. The seeds are hard and dark brown in colour. They can vary in shape from round to oval to oblong. The Lotus Flower opens in the morning and the petals fall in the afternoon.

Other Species : Nymphaea caerulea is the other specie of Lotus.

Location : Lotus is found throughout India. It is widely found in the Bandhavgarh National Park, Eravikulam National Park in India.

Cultivation methods : Lotus is mostly propagated through the seeds. It is grown in the damp soil. It requires Sunlight atleast six hours a day. The Lotus plant should be fertilized regularly for one year. It is important to protect Lotus from freezing. It should be given proper light.

Medicinal uses : Lotus seeds are classified as astringent and benefits kidney, spleen, and heart. The astringent helps loss of kidney essence. The seeds are used to treat weak sexual function in men and leukorrhea in women. The seeds also helps in curing restlessness, palpitation and insomnia. Inside the seed is the green embryo the benefits the heart. The Lotus disorders are helpful in heart and liver disorders. It is prescribes as an antidote for mushroom poisoning. The leaves are used in combination with the other herbs to treat sunstroke, dysentery, fever and vomiting blood.

Other uses : The seeds of the Lotus are edible. The leaf and leaf stalk are eaten as vegetable in India. The tubers of the Lotus taste like the sweet potato. Its petals are used for garnish and the large leaves are used as the wrap for the leaves. Its seeds called Phool Mukhana are used in the Indian cooking.

Cultural Importance : Lotus is the sacred flower of India. It occupies a special position in the art and mythology of ancient India. It is also the National Flower of India. It symbolizes divinity, fertility, wealth and knowledge. In India it is considered as the symbol of triumph. As it is rooted in the mud it can survive to regerminate for thousand of years. It represents long life, honour and good fortune. For Hindus it has special significance as it used in their religious practices. It is even the sacred flower for the Buddhists in India. It is quote in puranic veds and literature many times.

Classification

Kingdom :	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order :	Lamiales
Family :	Lamiaceae
Genus :	Ocimum
Species :	O. tenuiflorum
Scientific Name :	Ocimum Sanctum
Found In :	Gir National Park and Sasangir National Park

Other names : It is known as Holy Basil in English and Tulasi in Sanskrit. Other names used for the Tulsi are Manjari, Krishna Tulsi, Trittavu, Tulshi and Thulsi.

Description : Tulsi is a heavy branched having hair all over. It attains the height of about 75 – 90 cm. It has round oval shaped leaves which are up to 5 cm long. The leaves are 2- 4 cm in length. Its seeds are flat. Its flowers are purple – creamish in colour. The Tulsi with the green leaves is called the Shri Tulsi and one with the reddish leaves is called the Krishna Tulsi. Its seeds are yellow to reddish in colour. Leaves of Tulsi contains very essential oil.

Other species : Ocimum canum (Ram tulsi or Kali Tulsi), Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum Kilmand, Ocimum scharicum are the other related species of the Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum).

Location : Tulsi is widely grown in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and Sasangir National Park in India. Tulsi grows wild in tropics and warm regions.

Cultivation methods : Tulsi seeds germinate easily. The seeds are mainly sown in the spring season. They are watered from time to time and germinated in one to two weeks. Tulsi prefers rich soil for its growth. It requires full sunlight. It is mainly grown in the temperate climate.

Medicinal uses : Tulsi has got the great medicinal value. Tulsi is taken as the herbal tea. The oil extracted from the Karpoora Tulsi is mostly used in the herbal toiletry. Its oil is also used against the insects and bacteria. The Rama Tulsi is the effective remedy for the Severe acute Respiratory Syndrome. Juice of its leaves gives relief in cold, fever, bronchitis and cough. Tulsi oil is also used as the ear drop. Tulsi helps in curing malaria. It si very effective against indigestion, headache, hysteria, insomnia and cholera. The fresh leaves of Tulsi are taken by the million of people everyday. For over the centuries Tulsi (the queen of herbs) has been known for its remarkable healing properties.

Other uses : Many people wears the Tulsi beads, which is said to have certain physical and medicinal properties. Its wood is considered as more powerful than any other gem that helps in protecting one from the negative influences. One can also buy several handicraft jewellery items made of Tulsi wood.

Cultural Importance : Tulsi is the sacred plant dearer to the Lord Vishnu. Tulsi symbolises purity. It is considered as the holy plant in the Indian Subcontinent. Tulsi got its name from Tulasi Devi, who was one of Lord Krishna's eternal consorts. In India people grow Tulsi as the religious plant and worship it. Its leaves are used in temples for the worship purposes and also on the several occasions such as marriage. A Hindu house is considered incomplete without the Tulsi plant in the courtyard. Tulsi is belived to promote longevity and life long happiness. Hindus perform special Tulsi puja in the Kartik month which starts after Sharad Poornima. It is the time of the Tulsi vivah (marriage). On this day Tulsi is decorated and coloured as a bride.Even today people in India maintain a potted Tulsi plant. The womens water the plant, light up the diya near it and worships it daily. The stems, leaves, seeds and even the soil is considered as holy. According to the ancient texts Tulsi is glorified as the one who helps in bringing people closer to the divine.