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| Pic 1. July 2015 |
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| Pic 2. December 2015 |
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| Pic 3. December 2015 |
Sunday 20 December 2015
Some Observations - Growing Platycerium
Monday 30 November 2015
Patchouli: From the Sunshine to the Shade
...Climate Change, Shrinking Habitat
Then: It is known that some mothers’ mothers planted Patchouli saplings in the sunshine near their laterite wells to draw water from for their growing plants. Patchouli plants grow better with regular watering when the laterite soil around them is moist; not caking and dry.
When the winds of the North East monsoon blew bringing the rains with them, the plants would give forth their white blossoms competing in brilliance with the soft, off-white mundu and neriyathu drapes worn by these grandmothers.
Patchouli was extensively grown in several regions of the Western ghats in area receiving good sunlight. In the Malayalam language, Patchouli is known as ‘patcha ella’; in Tamil as ‘patcha ellai’ which translates to ‘green leaves’ in English. Patchouli derives its name from these two languages.
Now: These days it is difficult to grow Patchouli in direct sunlight. The leaves get scorched and the plants just dry up and have to be discarded.
Growing patchouli under the shade of trees helps. Some plants start to flower when the winds of the North East monsoon blow.
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| Patchouli planted in the shade in Thiruvananthapuram flowering |
.......after a few months seem more relaxed when they spend time under flowering patchouli.
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| One of the kittens- seven months old |
Monday 29 June 2015
Unusual occurrences of leaves of plants being scorched during the monsoons
Explanation - A *heat burst.*The monsoons showers started in Kerala some days ago. The temperatures have come down and the winds are cool.
In between unusual occurrences of hot winds blowing for short periods were observed - discussed by many who experienced it. These winds scorched leaves of plants, including the leaves of tall, standing, healthy coconut palms. Leaves of the hardy oleander plant were scorched too. The affected leaves were quickly pruned and checked out for the usual invasive beetles, insects...there were none.
This occurrence was recently reported in some sections of the media. One of the media reports is given below-
THRISSUR: A team of scientists from Peechi Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), which visited some coastal areas that witnessed wilting of plants last week, has reported that it could be the result of a phenomenon called heat burst. The scientists said heat burst was a rare atmospheric phenomenon characterized by gusty winds and a rapid increase in temperature and dip in dew point (moisture).
The team, comprising S Sandeep of KFRI's department of soil science, sustainable forest management division, ecologist K A Sreejith and economist V Anita, had visited areas like Purakkad in Alappuzha and coastal areas of Kollam and Thrissur. They have submitted their preliminary findings to the state council for science, technology and environment (KSCSTE), which ordered the study. "We have also collected samples of soil and water besides the weather data of these areas for detailed studies," Sandeep said. "Heat bursts typically occur during night and are associated with decaying thunderstorms. They are characterized by extremely dry air and very strong, even damaging, winds."
He said earlier reports suggested that temperatures could rise by 11°C or more within a few minutes during heat bursts and this could lead to a rapid evaporation of water from leaves and subsequent wilting. He, however, said no damage to human beings had been reported. KSCSTE executive vice-chairman Suresh Das said similar phenomenon had been reported in other parts of the world. No trace of acid or other chemicals was detected anywhere, he said. The council has also asked the centre for water resources development and management to conduct studies in the northern areas.
Links: 'Heat burst led to wilting of leaves' -The Times of India
'No convincing answers yet on scorching wind phenomenon' The Hindu
Tuesday 9 June 2015
On World Oceans Day...
...when the waves reach out...
When the waves come lapping closer to places where people have been living for years...
Not easy to put a Physalia physalis with its poisonous stings back into sea without getting hurt by its toxic poison. Hands have to be covered with thick gunny bags.
Physalia physalis moves only with the wind and sea currents
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| ...in Kerala, India |
When the waves come lapping closer to places where people have been living for years...
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| ...the tides are moving in closer... |
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| A Physalia physalis washed ashore |
Physalia physalis moves only with the wind and sea currents
Sunday 7 June 2015
Hortus Malabaricus:Did Itty Achutan Vaidyar, scholar and co-writer return to his family?
The Hortus Malabaricus is a treasure trove for plant lovers. It was reportedly compiled in 1600s by a team of botanical experts put together by Hendrik van Rheede, governor of the Dutch Malabar. Scholar and physician Itty Achuthan Vaidyar from Dutch Malabar is mentioned as a co-author.
Fifty-two-year-old Umayamma from a small village near Cherthala had never heard the name ‘Hortus Malabaricus’ till a scientist told her about it 20 years ago. But she remembers stories she had heard as a toddler about how her ancestor, a local medicine man, went to the Netherlands over 300 years ago to work on a catalogue of flora of the Malabar.
The doctor from Kadakkarappally here, Itty Achuthan Vaidyar, was a key force behind the completion of ‘Hortus Malabaricus,’ a 17 century treatise on the characteristics of over 700 plants found in the Malabar. The ‘Vaidyar’ (doctor) was one of the leaders of a team of botanical experts put together by Hendrik van Rheede, governor of the Dutch Malabar in the 1670s.
When van Rheede, also a botany enthusiast, set about recruiting experts who could help catalogue the flora of the region, Itty Achuthan was one of the top names on the list. “He learnt about medicinal plants from his ancestors and achieved great prominence at a very young age,” says Umayamma. After his work identifying plants of the region, Achuthan left with the Dutch to help complete the 12-volume ‘Hortus Malabaricus.’ The book later became world-famous as one of the earliest authoritative works of botany.
“But Itty Achuthan Vaidyar never came back home,” says Umayamma. “Some people say his ship sank when it was returning. But I don’t know these things.”
Achuthan left behind his mother and sister, who later moved out of Cherthala. Little that belonged to the Vaidyar remains at Kadakkarappally today.
A small wooden structure called the ‘kuriala,’ said to have been in existence since the time of the Vaidyar, now stands here as a memorial to the doctor. The figures inside the ‘kuriala’ resemble a Shiva idol and Umayamma and family light a lamp here every evening. “Many people from the area light a lamp here dedicating it to ‘appooppan’ (grandfather) whenever there is an auspicious occasion in the family,” says Umayamma.
Vaidyar’s garden of valuable medicinal plants has been reduced to a small grove (‘kavu’) full of trees and plants whose names no one knows.
The place is a temple of sorts for researchers studying ‘Hortus Malabaricus’ or the history of the Dutch in the Malabar. “Many people, even those from the Netherlands, come here with their books or movie cameras to see the grove and the ‘kuriala,’” according to Umayamma.
While visitors come and go, Umayamma and her two children struggle to protect Vaidyar’s land. They have had no help from the authorities in protecting the rare plants here or the memorial to the Vaidyar. “The government had expressed their willingness to take over the land and the memorial. But my uncle insisted that a road be built here first so that the people have at least the basic facilities. We have heard only empty promises from everyone after that,” says Umayamma.
The doctor from Kadakkarappally here, Itty Achuthan Vaidyar, was a key force behind the completion of ‘Hortus Malabaricus,’ a 17 century treatise on the characteristics of over 700 plants found in the Malabar. The ‘Vaidyar’ (doctor) was one of the leaders of a team of botanical experts put together by Hendrik van Rheede, governor of the Dutch Malabar in the 1670s.
When van Rheede, also a botany enthusiast, set about recruiting experts who could help catalogue the flora of the region, Itty Achuthan was one of the top names on the list. “He learnt about medicinal plants from his ancestors and achieved great prominence at a very young age,” says Umayamma. After his work identifying plants of the region, Achuthan left with the Dutch to help complete the 12-volume ‘Hortus Malabaricus.’ The book later became world-famous as one of the earliest authoritative works of botany.
“But Itty Achuthan Vaidyar never came back home,” says Umayamma. “Some people say his ship sank when it was returning. But I don’t know these things.”
Achuthan left behind his mother and sister, who later moved out of Cherthala. Little that belonged to the Vaidyar remains at Kadakkarappally today.
A small wooden structure called the ‘kuriala,’ said to have been in existence since the time of the Vaidyar, now stands here as a memorial to the doctor. The figures inside the ‘kuriala’ resemble a Shiva idol and Umayamma and family light a lamp here every evening. “Many people from the area light a lamp here dedicating it to ‘appooppan’ (grandfather) whenever there is an auspicious occasion in the family,” says Umayamma.
Vaidyar’s garden of valuable medicinal plants has been reduced to a small grove (‘kavu’) full of trees and plants whose names no one knows.
The place is a temple of sorts for researchers studying ‘Hortus Malabaricus’ or the history of the Dutch in the Malabar. “Many people, even those from the Netherlands, come here with their books or movie cameras to see the grove and the ‘kuriala,’” according to Umayamma.
While visitors come and go, Umayamma and her two children struggle to protect Vaidyar’s land. They have had no help from the authorities in protecting the rare plants here or the memorial to the Vaidyar. “The government had expressed their willingness to take over the land and the memorial. But my uncle insisted that a road be built here first so that the people have at least the basic facilities. We have heard only empty promises from everyone after that,” says Umayamma.
Reference: The Hindu
Whole Genome Sequencing of Ocimum sanctum - Holy Basil by CSIR
- A First Step to unravel the Secrets of its Therapeutic Potential
The *Krishna Thulasi* another aromatic variety of Ocinum sanctum has dark blue purple pigments ... used for worship and therapeutic purposes.
A recent report by the Press Bureau Information reported that the whole genome sequence of Ocinum sanctum - Holy Basil was sequenced through technologies The report is given below.
CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow, has published whole genome sequence of Ocimum sanctum, the wonder plant ‘Holy basil’ or ‘Tulsi’, which is revered as ‘Vishnupriya’ and worshipped for over more than 3000 years through the sacred traditions of Hindu culture. This is the first report of complete genome sequence of a traditional and most respected medicinal plant of India, using a composite next generation sequencing technologies.
Considering the metabolic and therapeutic potential of this revered plant, the availability of whole genome sequence is the first step to understand and unravel the secrets of this ‘mother of all herbs’ and to provide scientific validity to the traditional claims of its utility in diverse medicinal usage.
Being the most popular household plant in India, ‘Holi basil’ or ‘Tulsi’ is traditionally used for the cure of several ailments. This herb is described as “The Queen of Herbs,” “The Incomparable One” and “The Mother Medicine of Nature” in the Ayurvedic text of Charaka Samhita. All parts of this legendary, divine and most cherished ancient herb (dried leaf, dried seed, and dried whole plant) are used in several systems of traditional medicine, including Ayurveda, Greek, Roman, Siddha, and Unani. It is used in the preparations to cure various diseases like bronchitis, bronchial asthma, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, chronic fever, insect bite etc. It has also been described to possess anti-fertility, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-emetic, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, adaptogenic and diaphoretic actions. Many of the basil oil constituents have found applications as medicinal ingredients, flavors, fragrance, etc.
‘Holi basil’ or ‘Tulsi’ is rich in phenylpropanoids, terpenoids and their derivatives, and many of these are implicated for different therapeutic activities. The availability of the genome sequence now opens the possibility to identify genes involved in producing therapeutic molecules and to produce them in vitro. This will also facilitate identification of not yet identified genes involved in the synthesis of important secondary metabolites in this plant. Specific pathway related genes identified or mined in this genome could be used for the production of secondary metabolites following synthetic biology approaches. The development of molecular tools and genomic resources will accelerate molecular breeding and ultimately the utility of Holy basil in medical community.
The nuclear genome of Holy basil is the smallest (386 Mb) in the family Lamiaceae while the chloroplast genome (142,245 bp) is the smallest in the order Lamiales. According to the chloroplast genome similarity, O. sanctum shows maximum evolutionary closeness to Salvia miltiorrhiza, a plant of Chinese system of traditional medicine. Although, both these plants predominantly produce phenylpropanoids, and both have the identical diploid number of chromosomes (2n = 16), the genome size of O. sanctum (386 Mb) is a little more than half of the genome size of S. miltiorrhiza indicating that O. sanctum genome is more compact than that of S. miltiorrhiza.
Published on May 28, 2015 in BMC Genomics (2015) 16:413 [DOI 10.1186/s12864-015-1640-z].
For further details on this development, please contact the Corresponding Author: Dr Ajit Kumar Shasany (Mobile number 09415027245)
Reference:
Press Information Bureau
The *Krishna Thulasi* another aromatic variety of Ocinum sanctum has dark blue purple pigments ... used for worship and therapeutic purposes.
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| Plucked Leaves of *Krishna Thulasi* - Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow, has published whole genome sequence of Ocimum sanctum, the wonder plant ‘Holy basil’ or ‘Tulsi’, which is revered as ‘Vishnupriya’ and worshipped for over more than 3000 years through the sacred traditions of Hindu culture. This is the first report of complete genome sequence of a traditional and most respected medicinal plant of India, using a composite next generation sequencing technologies.
Considering the metabolic and therapeutic potential of this revered plant, the availability of whole genome sequence is the first step to understand and unravel the secrets of this ‘mother of all herbs’ and to provide scientific validity to the traditional claims of its utility in diverse medicinal usage.
Being the most popular household plant in India, ‘Holi basil’ or ‘Tulsi’ is traditionally used for the cure of several ailments. This herb is described as “The Queen of Herbs,” “The Incomparable One” and “The Mother Medicine of Nature” in the Ayurvedic text of Charaka Samhita. All parts of this legendary, divine and most cherished ancient herb (dried leaf, dried seed, and dried whole plant) are used in several systems of traditional medicine, including Ayurveda, Greek, Roman, Siddha, and Unani. It is used in the preparations to cure various diseases like bronchitis, bronchial asthma, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, chronic fever, insect bite etc. It has also been described to possess anti-fertility, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-emetic, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, adaptogenic and diaphoretic actions. Many of the basil oil constituents have found applications as medicinal ingredients, flavors, fragrance, etc.
‘Holi basil’ or ‘Tulsi’ is rich in phenylpropanoids, terpenoids and their derivatives, and many of these are implicated for different therapeutic activities. The availability of the genome sequence now opens the possibility to identify genes involved in producing therapeutic molecules and to produce them in vitro. This will also facilitate identification of not yet identified genes involved in the synthesis of important secondary metabolites in this plant. Specific pathway related genes identified or mined in this genome could be used for the production of secondary metabolites following synthetic biology approaches. The development of molecular tools and genomic resources will accelerate molecular breeding and ultimately the utility of Holy basil in medical community.
The nuclear genome of Holy basil is the smallest (386 Mb) in the family Lamiaceae while the chloroplast genome (142,245 bp) is the smallest in the order Lamiales. According to the chloroplast genome similarity, O. sanctum shows maximum evolutionary closeness to Salvia miltiorrhiza, a plant of Chinese system of traditional medicine. Although, both these plants predominantly produce phenylpropanoids, and both have the identical diploid number of chromosomes (2n = 16), the genome size of O. sanctum (386 Mb) is a little more than half of the genome size of S. miltiorrhiza indicating that O. sanctum genome is more compact than that of S. miltiorrhiza.
Published on May 28, 2015 in BMC Genomics (2015) 16:413 [DOI 10.1186/s12864-015-1640-z].
For further details on this development, please contact the Corresponding Author: Dr Ajit Kumar Shasany (Mobile number 09415027245)
Reference:
Press Information Bureau
Thursday 4 June 2015
Miniature ecosystems like Lichens need clean air...
...are very sensitive to pollution.
Lichens are ecosystems of algae fungi microbes insects, live long for years; can survive inhospitable conditions like periods of drought, but not pollution in the air.
Some of the chemicals in air particulates which destroy lichens are Nitrogen di oxide, Sulphur di oxide, Hydrogen Fluoride, Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PANs), metals like nickel cadmium iron lead emitted by smelters and mines, radioactive elements…
Parmelia perlata,the stone flower lichen known as Kalpoovu in Malayalam, Shilapushp in Sanskrit is used as a spice in cooking and in many kashayams (concoctions of various ingredients) in many homes - some where traditional knowledge was passed from grandmothers, mothers to daughters.
Parmelia perlata was a common sight growing on rocks, stones… under the shade of the tall Artocarpus hirsutus trees in the sacred Hindu groves of many homesteads in Kerala.
Parmelia Perlata is now found mostly in the forests.
Lichens are ecosystems of algae fungi microbes insects, live long for years; can survive inhospitable conditions like periods of drought, but not pollution in the air.
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| Bark of Azardicta Indica (Neem) with lichens in a homestead in Thiruvananthapuram |
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| Cat napping with Lichens on a tiled roof of an old house in Thiruvananthapuram |
Parmelia perlata,the stone flower lichen known as Kalpoovu in Malayalam, Shilapushp in Sanskrit is used as a spice in cooking and in many kashayams (concoctions of various ingredients) in many homes - some where traditional knowledge was passed from grandmothers, mothers to daughters.
Parmelia perlata was a common sight growing on rocks, stones… under the shade of the tall Artocarpus hirsutus trees in the sacred Hindu groves of many homesteads in Kerala.
Parmelia Perlata is now found mostly in the forests.
Saturday 30 May 2015
Tonglu and Dhotrey Declared *National Biodiversity Heritage Sites* in 2015...
..home to the most striking lichens, the brilliant blossoms of rhododendrons, magnolias, the red panda once not so elusive, the rich repository of plant life, the fragrant air.....the wondrous Eastern Himalayas in India.
1. The National Biodiversity Authority, an Autonomous and Statutory Body of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, in its website has recognized the importance of Tonglu covering an area of 230 hectares and Dhotrey covering an area of 180 hectares, both located in the Darjeeling District in West Bengal as *Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas*.
2. On 21 April 2015, the Darjeeling Times had reported -
Tonglu and Dhotrey Declared - National Biodiversity Heritage Sites
'Taking into consideration the immense bio-diversity and natural wealth of the region, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has declared Tonglu and Dhotrey as National Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
The declaration of this region as National Biodiversity Heritage Site will play an important role in conserving the unique and rare flora, fauna and insects that are currently poached and smuggled into China and other countries via Nepal.
Both these forest regions fall under Singhalila National Park, with Tonglu covering an area of 230 hectors, and Dhotrey covers 150 hectors.
Home to the elusive Red Panda and some of the most beautiful varieties of Rhododendrons, Singhalila National Park was recently declared one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World - by Yahoo.'
References:
1.National Biodiversity Authority
2.Photograph from blog by Amlan
3.DarjeelingTimes.com - Darjeeling News
1. The National Biodiversity Authority, an Autonomous and Statutory Body of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, in its website has recognized the importance of Tonglu covering an area of 230 hectares and Dhotrey covering an area of 180 hectares, both located in the Darjeeling District in West Bengal as *Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas*.
2. On 21 April 2015, the Darjeeling Times had reported -
Tonglu and Dhotrey Declared - National Biodiversity Heritage Sites
'Taking into consideration the immense bio-diversity and natural wealth of the region, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has declared Tonglu and Dhotrey as National Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
The declaration of this region as National Biodiversity Heritage Site will play an important role in conserving the unique and rare flora, fauna and insects that are currently poached and smuggled into China and other countries via Nepal.
Both these forest regions fall under Singhalila National Park, with Tonglu covering an area of 230 hectors, and Dhotrey covers 150 hectors.
Home to the elusive Red Panda and some of the most beautiful varieties of Rhododendrons, Singhalila National Park was recently declared one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World - by Yahoo.'
References:
1.National Biodiversity Authority
2.Photograph from blog by Amlan
3.DarjeelingTimes.com - Darjeeling News
Friday 22 May 2015
Evergreen Trees of the rain forest in Western Ghats and the sacred Hindu groves
...Artocarpus hirsutus, the wild Jack, known as *Ayani*, *Angilly* in Malayalam.
There were about 10,000 sacred groves, a rich abode of biodiversity in the princely state of Travancore before the formation of Kerala, only over 1,200 of them remain.
There were about 10,000 sacred groves, a rich abode of biodiversity in the princely state of Travancore before the formation of Kerala, only over 1,200 of them remain.
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| Artocarpus hirsutus trees in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
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| Pepper (Piper nigrum) growing up a tall Artocarpus hirsutus in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
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| Higher temperatures, falling fruit of Artocarpus hirsutus |
Wednesday 20 May 2015
Days of heavy rainfall before the scheduled South West Monsoon
The South West monsoon which hits Kerala is scheduled to begin in 1st June or end of May. A map of this year’s monsoon by the Indian Meteorological Department is given below.
This year the season rainfall from 1 March to 20 May was much higher than the normal rainfall in all the districts of Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram district recorded 598.1mm of rainfall . The normal rainfall during this period is 277 mm. The percentage departure is 116% -an excess
The excess rainfall in all the districts of Kerala, this year has brought flooding of rainwater into homes. Many roads and streets are still waist-deep with water. There is coastal erosion causing havoc to human life, much before the scheduled monsoon.
The laterite soil sprung some wonders after the first heavy downpour.
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| Fire Ball Lily / Foot Ball Lily (Haemanthus multiflorus) |
There was a surprise from an old coconut tree. An Ipomea growing from within its narrow hollow gave forth blossoms. The lichens still linger on the old coconut trees.
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| An Ipomea growing from within an old coconut tree, blossoms |
1. Indian Meteorological Department (Ministry Earth Sciences, Government of India)
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