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Floricard, Bijapur (2026)

03/01/2026

Quisqualis indica

Commonly Rangoon Creeper at campus, , , on 02.01.26

Locally- Radha Manoharam or Madhumalati

This flowering plant is native to the subcontinent hence its specific epithet 'indica'

Uniquely the plant is shrub or tree in its youth and later becomes a rambling vine. Like the God Proteus, it takes many forms. Hence his pet name 'Quis Qualis' is given to the plant.
Also, the Latin words Quis= who & Qualis= what kind, refers to the uncertainty of the plant's family when it was first discovered.

In the 17th century a trader, Georg Eberhard Rumphius first documented this plant at of (present day
's ). Thus it's common name the Rangoon Creeper.

This plant's pendulous trumpet flowers are when open, then change to , & finally become deep maroon. Surprisingly, all the colors can be seen at a single time.

In medicine, the seeds and roots of this plant are boiled and used as an anti-parasitic and also to combat nephritis.

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28/12/2025

Heptapleurum arboricola

Commonly Dwarf Umbrella Plant at SRPF campus, , , on 28.12.25

This ornamental plant native to the province of & resembles a smaller version of the umbrella tree, Heptapleurum actinophyllum. Hence its common name - the dwarf tree.

Initially it was called Schefflera arboricola under the Genus Schefflera named in honor of Johann Peter Ernst von Scheffler, a botanist from ́sk ( ).

Later it was restructured under the Genus
Heptapleurum which is derived from the words Hepta= seven & pleural= ribs referring to the characteristic number of ribs or leaf veins in the plant.

The plant has attractive typical glossy palmately compound green leaves having 7-9 oval leaflets arranged in a whorl, resembling the spokes of an umbrella. Some variants have variegated leaves in cream, yellow and green colors.

The specific epithet "arboricola" means "tree-dwelling" in Latin-because the plant in its natural habit grows in the understory of trees.

This ornamental landscape plant absorbs common toxins and acts as an air purifier.

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28/12/2025

Ficus benghalensis

Commonly the Banyan at campus, , , on 27.12.25

This sacred evergreen tree is native to the Indian subcontinent ( ). Hence the specific epithet benghalensis.

The Genus Ficus is derived from its Latin name for figs.

Interestingly, its common name is derived from 'banias' the Indian merchants who used to conduct their business under the shade of these huge trees.

It produces characteristic huge aerial prop roots which once reach the ground, become woody trunks & supportive.

It is propagated by seeds, by stem cuttings & also by aerial roots (once anchored to ground they become independent giving rise to new plants).

has much cultural, religious, economical & medicinal significance. It is the national tree of India. It is a sacred groove to both Hindus & Buddhists.
Its roots, bark & latex is widely used in Ayurveda for medicinal purposes. Its wood is used for furniture. Its aerial prop roots are used to make paper & ropes. Its fruits are edible.

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27/12/2025

Chrysanthemum Chronicles -15

The Last Chrysanthemum~~ from "Poems of the Past and Present" by Thomas Hardy, 1901- England.

Why should this flower delay so long
To show its tremulous plumes?
Now is the time of plaintive robin-song,
When flowers are in their tombs.

Through the slow summer, when the sun
Called to each frond and whorl
That all he could for flowers was being done,
Why did it not uncurl?

It must have felt that fervid call
Although it took no heed,
Waking but now, when leaves like corpses fall, And saps all retrocede.
Too late its beauty, lonely thing,
The season's shine is spent,
Nothing remains for it but shivering
In tempests turbulent.

Had it a reason for delay,
Dreaming in witlessness
That for a bloom so delicately gay
Winter would stay its stress?

- I talk as if the thing were born
With sense to work its mind;
Yet it is but one mask of many worn
By the Great Face behind

25/12/2025

Hymenocallis littoralis

Commonly Beach Spider Lilly at , dist, on 23.13.25

This bulbous perennial herb of amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) is native to the
warmer coastal regions of - i.e. Islands ( , , Leeward Islands, & Islands) & ( , Northern , )
Thus the specific epithet 'littoralis' means 'growing by the seashore'.

The Genus is from the words 'h***n' (ὑμήν)=membrane & 'kallos' (καλός)= beautiful describing the delicate, cup-like structure formed by the fused bases of the flower's stamens.

The plant has narrow sword shaped leaves & flowers throughout the year. As the petals of its flower look like spider legs & because of its habitat, the plant is commonly named as Beach Spider Lily.

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24/12/2025

Mussaenda erythrophylla

Commonly Ashanti blood at , , on 24.12.25

This ornamental flowering plant of Rubiaceae (Coffee family) known for its showy, blood red sepals that are often mistaken to petals is native to the Ashanti region of , . Hence its common name Ashanti Blood.

The Genus genus 'Mussaenda' is from its vernacular name "Mussenda".

The specific epithet erythrophylla is from the words erythros =red & phyllon =leaf meaning 'red leaved' referring to its prominent, red colored bracts (modified leaves) of the plant.

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24/12/2025

Chrysanthemum Chronicles- 14

There is a language, little known,
Lovers claim it as their own.
Its symbols smile upon the land,
Wrought by nature’s wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak,
Of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours
In the language of the flowers.

~~The Language of Flowers, London, 1875

23/12/2025

Cenchrus pedicellatus

Commonly Deenanath grass at , dist, on 23.12.251

Initially called Pennisetum pedicellatum it is later taxonomically revised and moved to the genus Cenchrus - a unified group of grasses known for their bristly spikes and adaptation to arid climates.

This herbaceous perennial grass is indigenous to , where it is called Desho grass and is widely used as forage due its high nutritive value and natural palatability for livestock.
It is called kyasuwa grass in & bare grass in .

The Genus Cenchrus is from the word "Kenchros" meaning referring to its small, grain-like burrs (seed clusters)
that resemble tiny millet grains often with fused, bristly hairs.

Its earlier Genus Pennisetum is from the Latin words penna = feather and seta = bristle, describing its hairy spikes.

The specific epithet 'pedicellatus' is Latin adjective for "provided with a pedicel" referring to its stalk that supports its flower.

Its local name Deenanath Grass is possibly linked to its use during times of famine as valuable forage [ 'deen' means destitute].

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18/12/2025

Chrysanthemum Chronicles- 13

Double Nine /Double Yang Festival (重陽節) is observed in on the ninth day of the ninth month as per the calendar.

Nine is the yang number; the ninth day of the ninth month i.e. double nine has an extra yang & thus is an auspicious date. This dates back to Eastern Han Dynasty (25- 220 AD).

On this day, it's customary to climb a mountain, drink chrysanthemum liquor &
wear the zhuyu (茱萸) plant (Cornus officinalis).

Both & Zhuyu are considered to have cleansing qualities & healing properties.

16/12/2025

Tradescantia spathacea ~~ commonly Moses in the Cradle at , on 16.12.25

This widely cultivated ornamental foliage plant is native to , , & southern ́xico (Chiapas, & ́n Peninsula).

The Genus Tradescantia honors the naturalists John Tradescant the Elder & John Tradescant the Younger who are renowned for their botanical explorations & introduction of numerous plants from the New World to English Gardens.

The specific epithet spathacea means "with a spathe" refers to the spathe-like bract that surrounds the flowers.

As the plant's spathe-like bract resembles the in which is said to be placed while floating down the River- it is commonly called "Moses in the Cradle".

It has fleshy rhizomes & rosettes of waxy lance-shaped leaves. Its leaves are unique with metallic green above & glossy purple underneath.

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16/12/2025

Shankapushpi

16/12/2025

Manilkara zapota ~~ the Sapote (Sapodilla) at , on 15.12.25

This edible fruit bearing plant is native to Southern .

The Genus name Manilkara comes from its Malabar (South Indian) vernacular name a combination of "Manilha" ~ for & "kara" ~

The specific epithet zapota & its common name Sapota is derived from the (i.e. Aztec language) word 'tzapotl' meaning soft, edible fruit, a description fitting its edible tan brown berries.

The plant's earth brown fleshy fruits have a sweet, malty flavor. Each of them have 1-6 black hard seeds which are known for its anti- helminthic properties.

Its unripe fruit contains Saponin, a chemical which causes drying of the mouth.

The milky latex from its stems coagulates into "Chicle" a principle constituent of chewing gum.

Manilkara's wood is dense, hard and very durable- used to make bridge pilings & rail road ties etc.

Follow Floricard to read many such interesting posts on various plant histories.

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