~ World Of Flowers ~

[MysteRy]

Common name: East Himalayan Balsam
Botanical name: [Impatiens arguta Hook. f. & Thomson] Impatiens arguta
Family: Balsaminaceae (Balsam family)
Synonyms: Impatiens gagei

East Himalayan Balsam is a beautiful wildflower found in the forests, thickets, grasslands in valleys, along canals and moist places, in East Himalayas, from E. Nepal to NE India, at altitudes of 1800-3200 m. It is a perennial plant, growing up to 70 cm tall. Erect stems are rigid and branched. Alternately arranged leaves, carried on 1-4 cm long stalks, are ovate or ovate-elliptic, 4-15 cm long, and 2-4.5 cm broad. Leaf margins are sharply toothed, and the tip is pointed or tapering. Flowers arise singly or doubly in leaf axils. Flower stalks are long, slender, often with 2 bracts at base. Flowers are pink or purple-red, large or medium- sized. Flowers are characterized by lower lobes of the lateral petals being divided into two. Lateral sepals are 4 - outer 2, with tip long cuspidate - inner 2, narrowly lanceshaped. Lower sepal is sac-like, narrowed into an incurved, short spur. Upper petal is circular. Lateral united petals are not clawed, 2-lobed. Basal lobes are broadly oblong; Farther lobes are shaped like the head of an axe, large, with a two parted tip. Flowering: July-October.
Medicinal uses: [Warning: Unverified information] The flowers are used medicinally for dissolving clots, promoting diuresis, and treating abdominal pain, postpartum blood stasis, carbuncles, and difficulty in urination.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Cone Campion, Large Sand Catchfly, Cone catchfly, Weed campion, Weed silene
Botanical name: [Silene conoidea L.] Silene conoidea
Family: Caryophyllaceae (Carnation family)
Synonyms: Conosilene conoidea, Cucubalus conoideus

Cone Campion is an annual herb, up to 40 cm tall. Stems are erect, branched or simple, densely glandular-velvety. Leaves are 2.5-14 cm long, 0.2-1.2 cm wide, linear-lanceshaped, base stem,-clasping at the nodes, stalkless, glandular-velvety. Bracts are similar to leaves, but smaller in size. Flowers are borne in panicles, with 3-5 flowers in lax clusters. Flower-stalks are densely glandular-velvet-hairy. Sepal tube is 2.1-2.5 cm long, pointed, with lanceshaped teeth, 30-nerved. Petals are pink to reddish, limb 8-9 mm, notched or entire, claw 1.5-1.6 cm. Coronal scales are oblong. Carpophore is about 1 mm, glabrous. Capsule is 1.1-1.8 cm, conical, with narrow neck, included in the calyx. Seeds are 1.1 mm long, kidney-shaped. Cone Campion is found in the Himalayas, S. Europe, N. Africa and temperate Asia, at altitudes of 1500-2500 m. Flowering: May-July.

Medicinal uses: [Warning: Unverified information] The plant is said to be emollient and is used in baths or as a fumigant. The juice of the plant is used in the treatment of ophthalmia.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Thyme Speedwell, Thyme-Leaved Speedwell
Botanical name: [Veronica serpyllifolia L.] Veronica serpyllifolia
Family: Plantaginaceae (Isabgol family)

Thyme Speedwell is a perennial herb, forming mats when left undisturbed. This species is easy to identify because of its growing habit, rounded leaves, and whitish-blue flowers. Multiple stems arise from the base, prostrate to ascending, rooting at the nodes, branching, up to 30 cm long (10-15cm tall), bristly. Oppositely arranged leaves are very short- stalked. Leaves are round, entire to slightly toothedm green, 9 mm long, 7 mm broad, mostly hairless. Leaves are reduced to bracts in inflorescence. Flowers are borne in racemes full of bracts, at the end of stems. Flower- stalks are up to 2 mm long, bristly, shorter than the subtending bract. Flowers are whitish-blue with purple stripes internally, 4-petalled. Flower tube is up to .8 mm long. Petals are rounded, up to 3 mm long and broad, entire. Lower lobe is reduced. Stamens are 2, erect, protruding. Filaments are up to 3 mm long, club-shaped, white. Anthers are purple, .3 mm long. Style is 2 mm long in flower, translucent to purple near the tip. Stigma is capitate. Sepals are 4, green, unequal, persistent, up to 3 mm long, 2 mm broad in flower, pointed to rounded at tip. Fruit is inverted- heartshaped, up to 5 mm broad, 4 mm long, with a persistent long style. Thyme Speedwell is found on nearly all continents. In India it is found in mountain meadows of the Himalayas, at altitudes of 400-3700 m. Flowering: April-July.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Yellow Cobra Lily, Yellow Jack in the Pulpit
Botanical name: Arisaema flavum
Family: Araceae (Arum family)

Yellow Cobra Lily can be distinguished from all other cobra lilies by its very small yellowish or greenish hood, 1.5-4 cm, which is usually dark purple on the inside. The stem carrying the hood is 10-40 cm tall. Leaves are digitately compound with 5-11 oblong-lanceshaped leaflets 2.5-12 cm long. Yellow Cobra Lily is found in the Himalayas, from Afghanistan to SW China, at altitudes of 1800-4500 m. Flowering: May-June.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Campbell's Magnolia
Botanical name: Magnolia campbelli
Family: Magnoliaceae (Magnolia family)

Campbell's magnolia is a magnolia that grows in the forests of the Himalaya from Nepal to SW China and Burma, at altitudes of 2400-3000 m. It is a large deciduous tree, bearing large white or cream, scented flowers, mostly on bare branches. Flowers are 13-20 cm across, with 12-15 large white petals, outer ones silvery-haired. Smooth oval leaves are up to a foot long, with silky hairs on the underside when young. Fruit is a cylindrical spike 15-20 cm long, with red seeds. A pink flowered form of Campbell's Magnolia occurs in East Himalayas, and is cultivated around Darjeeling. Flowering: March-April.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Yellow Colchicum
Botanical name: [Colchicum luteum Baker] Colchicum luteum
Family: Colchicaceae (Colchicum family)

Yellow Colchicum is a perennial herb found in the Himalayas. Corms are ovoid, oblong, 1.5-3.5 x 1-2 cm, flattened at the base, with longitudinal groove on one side. Coat is brown to dark-brown, membranous. Flowers are yellow, funnel-shaped, 3-4 cm across. Tepals are 6, united below into a long, narrow tube, up to 9 cm long. Segments are linear to inverted-lanceshaped, 2-3 cm long, pointed to blunt. Stamens are 6, attached at the base of the tepals, not protruding. Filaments are 4-5 mm long, anthers yellow, linear, 1-1.5 cm long. Ovary is superior, trilocular. Styles are 3, threadlike, longer than the stamens, stigma minute. Leaves are 3-6, appearing at flowering time, linear to broadly linear, 10-20 cm long, 0.5-2 cm broad, tip blunt. Fruit is capsular, ovoid, up to 3 cm long, seeds numerous, spherical, 2 mm in diameter. Yellow Colchicum is found in the Himalayas, from Pakistan to Himachal Pradesh, at altitudes of 1000-2700 m. Flowering: February-June.
Medicinal uses: [Warning: Unverified information] Yellow Colchicum is useful in the treatment of rheumatic swelling. A paste made with saffron and egg can be applied beneficially to rheumatic and other swellings. Dried and powdered root of the plant is useful in the healing of wounds. It should be sprinkled on the affected area.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Rubber bush, apple of Sodom
Botanical name: Calotropis procera
Family: Asclepiadaceae (milkweed family)

Spreading shrub or small tree to 4 m, exuding copious milky sap when cut or broken; leaves opposite, grey-green, large up to 15 cm long and 10 cm broad, with a pointed tip, two rounded basal lobes and no leaf stalk; flowers waxy white, petals 5, purple-tipped inside and with a central purplish crown, carried in stalked clusters at the ends of the branches; fruit grey-green, inflated, 8 to 12 cm long, containing numerous seeds with tufts of long silky hairs at one end. Shrubs, mostly less than 6 ft., but up to 15 ft.; similar to C. gigantea, but leaves oblong to elliptic, corolla usually about 1 in. across with lobes more erect, corona lobes glabrous or pubescent, and follicle 4-5 in. long.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Flowering Rush
Botanical name: [Butomus umbellatus L.] Butomus umbellatus
Family: Butomaceae (Flowering-rush family)
Synonyms: Butomus caesalpini, Butomus vulgaris, Butomus floridus

Flowering Rush is a perennial aquatic plant. Other than suggested by its common name, it is not a true rush. The plant has linear, pointed leaves up to 1 metre long, or more. The leaves are triangular in cross-section and arise in two rows along the rhizome/base. They are untoothed, parallel veined and twisted. The inflorescence is umbel-like consisting of a single terminal flower surrounded by three cymes. The flowers are regular and bisexual, 2-3 cm across. There are three petal-like sepals which are pink with darker veins. They persist in the fruit. The three petals are like the sepals but somewhat larger. 6 - 9 stamens. Carpels superior, 6 - 9 and slightly united at the base. When ripe they are obovoid and crowned with a persistent style. Ovules are numerous and found scattered over the inner surface of the carpel wall, except on the midrib and edges. Fruit is a follicle. The seeds have no endosperm and a straight embryo. Flowering Rush is native to Kashmir and Eurasia. It is found at altitudes of Flowering: June-July.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Plum)
Botanical name: Prunus domestica
Family: Rosaceae (rose family)

A decidious Tree growing to 12m by 10m at a medium rate. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from July to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. The fruit varies considerably from cultivar to cultivar, but it is generally somewhat mealy, soft and juicy with a delicious flavour ranging from very sweet to acid. The more acid fruits are usually only used for cooking purposes. White flowers grow in clusters, and are beautiful to look at.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Egg Magnolia
Botanical name: Magnolia liliifera
Family: Magnoliaceae (Magnolia family)
Synonyms: Talauma candollei

Egg Magnolia is a medium size tree with large velvet leaves and fragrant yellowish off-white flowers about 4-5" wide. It is found in North-East India - Assam, Manipur, Sikkim. Before opening, buds have an egg shape, hence the common name. One of the most valuable ornamental fragrant trees of Asia. A highly valued fragrant flower of this small tree or shrub resembles Dwarf Magnolia flower, but the scent is much stronger. Leaves are large, 7-9 inches long and 4 inches wide. Can be grown in container in a well-lit spot. Egg Magnolia is similar to Dwarf Magnolia, as both species have those egg shaped flowerbuds, but Dwarf Magnolia flowers are white.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Smooth Ground Daisy
Botanical name: [Waldheimia glabra (Decne.) Regel] Waldheimia glabra
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
Synonyms: Allardia glabra, Anthemis glabra

Smooth Ground Daisy is a tufted mat-forming, aromatic, high-altitude perennial plant of drier areas. The stems spread to 10 cm or more. Wedge-shaped and bluntly 3-5 lobed leaves occur in rosettes. Flower-head appear solitary on stems. "Petals" (ray flowers) are pink-purple or white, elliptic blunt, 1-1.5 cm long. The yellow central disk is broader than the length of the "petals". The bracts appearing just below the flowers are blunt with purple papery margins. Smooth Ground Daisy is found in the Himalayas at altitudes of 4000-5500 m. Flowering: July-September.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Griffith's Cobra Lily
Botanical name: [Arisaema griffithii Schott] Arisaema griffithii
Family: Araceae (Arum family)

This species of Cobra Lily is uniquely beautiful yet difficult to describe, even in comparison to other species. Griffith's Cobra Lily is both attractive and bizarre in equal proportions. Has two, large, dark green, slightly wrinkled leaves, each divided into 3 leaflets and prominent dark veins on the underside. Bears a large (up to 8 inches), hooded, green spathe, deeply veined with green over dark purple-brown. Spathes are borne at ground level under the leaves. The spadix is abruptly narrowed to a purple tail-like appendage, 20-80 cm long. Griffith's Cobra Lily is found in the Himalayas, from C. Nepal to Bhutan, at altitudes of 2400-3000 m. Flowering: May-June.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Large Bellflower, Great bellflower
Botanical name: Campanula latifolia
Family: Campanulaceae (bellflower family)

This beautiful perennial plant can be found growing in the wild in the Himalayas, from Kashmir to Nepal. It is a handsome leafy plant bearing elegant spikes of large, nodding, dark blue-purple, bell-shaped flowers. Flowers are 4-5 cm long, borne in a spike at the top of stems 0.5-2 m. Stem leaves are nearly stalkless, 5-12 cm long, ovate or lance-shaped with a rounded base, with toothed margin. Large Bellflower is found in shrubberies and forests at altitudes of 2100-3600 m.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Common Rock Jasmine
Botanical name: Androsace sarmentosa
Family: Primulaceae (primrose family)

Common Rock Jasmine is a perennial herb. Leaf rosettes solitary or several forming lax mats, 3-5 cm in diameter - slightly hairy leaves. Umbels of pink flowers with yellow eyes in late spring. It is in flower from July to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. This flower is native to the Himalayas, from Sikkim to Kashmir.
Medicinal uses: [Warning: Unverified information] The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have a bitter taste and a cooling and coarsening potency. A resolutive, it dries up serous fluids. It is used in the treatment of disorders from tumours, inflammations of fluids and other serous fluid disorders.

[MysteRy]

Common name: Narrow-Leaved Swertia
Botanical name: [Swertia angustifolia Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don] Swertia angustifolia
Family: Gentianaceae (Gentian family)

Narrow-Leaved Swertia is an annual herb, 20-80 cm tall. Roots are yellow, fibrous. Stems are erect, subquadrangular, narrowly winged on angles, branched. Leaves are stalkless, lanceshaped to elliptic-lanceshaped, 2-6 cm × 3-12 mm, both ends flat, veins 1-3. Inflorescences panicles of cymes, spreading branched, many flowered. Flowers are 4-merous. Pedicel erect, 3-7 mm. Calyx tube 1-2 mm, sepals linear-lanceolate, 6-8 mm, apex acute, midvein 1-3. Flowers are white or pale yellow, with brown spots, 8-9 mm in diameter, tube 1-2 mm. Petals are 4-6.5 mm, tip blunt and apiculate. Nectaries 1 per corolla lobe, pocket-shaped, with an orbicular scale and many minutely hairy short fimbriae at apex of pocket. Filaments 3.5-4 mm; anthers ellipsoid, ca. 1 mm. Style short, distinct; stigma lobes capitate. Capsules ovoid, 5-7 mm. Seeds are brown, ellipsoid, about 0.6 mm. Flowering: August-November.