| Malvaceae | Abelmoschus moschatus | Okra, Abelmosk, Ambrette seeds, Annual hibiscus, Bamia Moschata, Galu Gasturi, Muskdana, Musk mallow, Musk okra, Musk seeds, Ornamental okra, Rose mallow seeds, Tropical jewel hibiscus, Yorka okra | मुश्कदाना Mushkdana, कस्तूरीदाना Kasturi-dana, जंगली भिंडी Jangli bhindi | The plant is native to India. It is an aromatic, medicinally important species. It is used as an antidote for snake bites, due to its anti-spasmodic activity. It is also used as an insecticide, as an aphrodisiac and in perfume industry. (Source: Flowers of India) |
| Malvaceae | Abutilon indicum | Indian Mallow, Country Mallow, Abutilon, Indian abutilon | कंघी Kanghi | Abutilon indicum (Indian Abutilon, Indian Mallow; is a small shrub in the ''Malvaceae'' family, native to tropic and subtropical regions and sometimes cultivated as an ornamental. This plant is often used as a medicinal plant and is considered invasive on certain tropical islands. (Wikipedia) |
| Fabaceae | Acacia catechu | Cutch Tree, black catechu, black cutch, cashoo, catechu, wadalee gum | दन्त धावन dant-dhavan, गायत्रिन् gayatrin, खैर khair, खयर khayar, मदन madan, पथिद्रुम pathi-drum, पयोर payor, प्रियसख priya-sakh | ''Acacia catechu'' also commonly called ''Mimosa catechu'', is a deciduous, thorny tree which grows up to 15 m (50 ft) in height. The plant is called katha in Hindi, and kachu in Malay, hence Latin "Catechu" for this type species from which the extracts cutch and catechu are derived. It is found in Asia, China, India and the Indian Ocean area. Through derivatives of the flavanols in its extracts, the species has lent its name to the important catechins, catechols and catecholamines of chemistry and biology. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Fabaceae | Acacia concinna | Soap pod | शिकाकाई Shikakai | ''Acacia concinna'' or Shikakai is used in India in a variety of hair-care products. The bark of the plant contains a high level of Saponins which give the extract a foaming and cleansing characteristic. It belongs to the ''Acacia'' genus which has over 1100 members around the world.(AHS Encyclopedia) |
| Fabaceae | Acacia nilotica | Arabic Gum, Black Piquant, Egyptian thorn, Prickly acacia | बबूल Babool,कीकर Kikar | This tree is a native to Africa. Many tribes in Africa use it for medicinal purposes such as to treat cough, diarrhoea, dysentry etc. The tree is thorny and makes a good hedge for agricultural fields to keep out grazing animals. ''Acacia nilotica'' is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world (eg: Australia) as it grows very well even under low water conditions. (Source: Wikipedia) |
| Fabaceae | Acacia sinuata | Piquant Sappan | Shikakai | ''Acacia sinuata'' or Piquant Sappan is a plant closely related to ''Acacia concinna'' or Shikakai. The plant is used for its high saponin content in many haircare products. Pods are used for making marks on forehead in Hinduism. (Source:Himalaya Healthcare monograph) |
| Asteraceae | Achillea millefolium | Common Yarrow, Gordaldo, Nosebleed plant, Old man's pepper, Devil's nettle, Sanguinary, Milfoil, Soldier's woundwort, Thousand-leaf, Thousand-seal. | Gandrain, Puthkanda, भूतकॆशी Bhut Kesi | ''Achillea millefolium'' or yarrow is a flowering plant in the family ''Asteraceae'', native to the Northern Hemisphere. In antiquity, yarrow was known as ''herbal militaris'', for its use in staunching the flow of blood from wounds. Yarrows can be planted to combat soil erosion due to the plant's resistance to drought. They are used for human consumption and medicinal uses in many cultures around the world. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Amaranthaceae | Achyranthes aspera | Prickly Chaff Flower, Chaff-flower, Crocus stuff, Crokars staff, Devil's horsewhip | | ''Achyranthes aspera'' (Common name: Prickly Chaff Flower, Devil's Horsewhip, Sanskrit: अपामार्ग Apamarga) is a species of plant in the ''Amaranthaceae'' family. It is distributed throughout the tropical world. It can be found in many places growing as an introduced species and a common weed. It is one of the 21 leaves used in the Ganesh Patra Pooja done regularly on Ganesh Chaturthi day. In Uttar Pradesh the plant is used for a great many medicinal purposes, especially in obstetrics and gynecology, including abortion, induction of labor, and cessation of postpartum bleeding. The Maasai people of Kenya use the plant medicinally to treat malaria. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Ranunculaceae | Aconitum palmatum | | | ''Aconitum'' ,known as aconite, monkshood, wolfsbane, leopard's bane, women's bane, Devil's helmet or blue rocket, is a genus of flowering plant belonging to the buttercup family (''Ranunculaceae''). There are over 250 species of ''Aconitum''. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Acoraceae | Acorus calamus | Sweet Flag, calamus, flagroot, sweet cane, sweet grass, sweetroot, sweet rush | बच Bach, घोरबच Ghorbach, सफ़ेद बच Safed bach | ''Acorus calamus'', commonly known as sweet flag or calamus (Sanskrit : Haimavati, हैमवती, Vacha, वचा ) and various rushes and sedges,is a plant from the ''Acoraceae'' family, in the genus ''Acorus''. It is a tall perennial wetland monocot with scented leaves and more strongly scented rhizomes, which have been used medicinally, for its odor, and as an allegedly psychotropic drug. Its Sanskrit name is vacha. Probably indigenous to India, ''Acorus calamus'' is now found across Europe, in southern Russia, northern Asia Minor, southern Siberia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Australia, as well as southern Canada and Northern USA, where it may be mistaken for the native ''Acorus americanus''. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Parkeriaceae | Acrostichum aureum | Golden leatherfern, Mangrove fern | | ''Acrostrichum'' species generally inhabit warm and tropical regions. There are only 2-3 species known. (Source: Cook). This species grows profusely in mangroves and hence is also called Mangrove Fern. |
| Bombacaceae | Adansonia digitata | Baobab | Gorakh imli गोरख इमली | ''Adansonia digitata'', the baobab, is the most widespread of the Adansonia species on the African continent, found in the hot, dry savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. It also grows, having spread secondary to cultivation, in populated areas. In India, the tree is found in hot, dry regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. (Source:Wikipedia,Plants of India) |
| Rutaceae | Aegle marmelos | Bel, Beli fruit, Bengal quince, Stone apple, Wood apple | बेल Bel | ''Aegle marmelos'' or Bael is a middle sized slender aromatic armed tree native to India and Pakistan. It has since spread to throughout South-east Asia. It is a gum-bearing tree. The tree is used in several cooking preparations in India. It is also important in religious rituals and has medicinal value. In the Hindu religion, the Tri-foliate leaves typical of the Bael is seen as the 3-pronged Trident (Trisula) that Lord Shiva holds in his right hand. The Trident symbolizes his three fundamental Powers (shakti) of Will (iccha), Action (kriya) and Knowledge (jnana). The Trident also symbolizes the past, the present and the future. Almost every Hindu temple in India would have one or more Bael trees in their courtyards.(Source:Wikipedia) |
| Amaryllidaceae | Allium sativum | Cultivated Garlic | लेह्सन Lehsan | ''Allium sativum'', commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion family ''Alliaceae''. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. Garlic has been used throughout history for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The garlic plant's bulb is the most commonly used part of the plant. |
| Xanthorrhoeaceae | Aloe vera | Aloe vera, Medicinal aloe, Burn plant | Gheekumari घीकुमारी | Aloe vera, also known as the true or medicinal aloe, is a species of succulent plant that probably originated in the southern half of the Arabian peninsula, Northern Africa, the Canary islands and Cape Verde. Aloe vera grows in arid climates and is widely distributed in Africa, India and other arid areas. The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine. Many scientific studies of the use of aloe vera have been undertaken, some of them conflicting. Despite these limitations, there is some preliminary evidence that Aloe vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of wound and burn healing, minor skin infections, Sebaceous cyst, diabetes and elevated blood lipids in humans. These positive effects are thought to be due to the presence of compounds such as polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones and lectins. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Zingiberaceae | Alpinia abundiflora | | | ''Alpinia abundiflora'' belongs to the Ginger family ''(Zingiberaceae)''. DNA sequence-based methods have shown that this genus is polyphyletic. It is represented by six clades distributed across the tribe Alpinieae. Further research is needed to specify the taxa in this genus.
The plants are native to SE Asia and are grown for their ornamental flashy flowers. |
| Zingiberaceae | Alpinia allughas | Tara | Tara (Bengali) | ''Alpinia allughas'' incorrectly spelled as ''Alpinia allhugas'' belongs to the Ginger family (Zingiberaceae). It is a synonym of the species Alpinia nigra (Gaertn.) B. L. Burtt. DNA sequence-based methods have shown that this genus is polyphyletic. It is represented by six clades distributed across the tribe Alpinieae. Further research is needed to specify the taxa in this genus.
The plants are native to SE Asia and are grown for their ornamental flashy flowers. |
| Zingiberaceae | Alpinia aquatica | | | ''Alpinia aquatica'' is a species that likes to grow in ponds and still water bodies. |
| Zingiberaceae | Alpinia calcarata | Snap Ginger, Cardamom ginger, Indian ginger | कुलंजन Kulanjan | ''Alpinia calcarata'' or Snap Ginger is a plant native to India. It is less common in other parts of the world. Its mainly grown as an ornamental plant. |
| Zingiberaceae | Alpinia roxburghii | | | ''Alpinia roxburghii Sweet'' is the name recognized by the Species 2000 checklist for a variety of ginger family plants which are pheontypically very similar to it. An example is ''Alpinia bracteata'' |
| Anacardiaceae | Anacardium occidentale | Cashew | काजू Kaju | Cashew is a plant native to Brazil, but is cultivated in tropical regions worldwide. It was imported to India by Portuguese. According to the FAO, India is one of the top five producers of cashew in the world. |
| Asteraceae | Anacyclus pyrethrum | Pellitory, Spanish chamomile, Mount Atlas daisy | | ''Anacyclus pyrethrum'' (pellitory, Spanish chamomile, or Mount Atlas daisy) is a perennial herb much like chamomile in habitat and appearance. It is found in North Africa, elsewhere in the Mediterranean region, in the Himalayas, in North India, and in Arabian countries. Medicinally, pellitory root has a pungent efficacy in relieving toothache and promoting a free flow of saliva. It induces heat, tingling and redness when applied to the skin. |
| Acanthaceae | | | | |
| Moraceae | Artocarpus heterophyllus | Jackfruit | कटहल | |
| Meliaceae | Azadirachta indica | Neem | नीम Neem | Neem is a tropical and sub-tropical plant which is highly drought resistant. The plant has several medicinal and commercial applications and finds significance in Hinduism. Neem cultivation also has a role to play in agriculture and pest management. |
| Azollaceae | Azolla pinnata | Mosquito fern, Duckweed fern, Fairy moss, Water fern | | |
| Acanthaceae | Barleria prionitis | Porcupine flower | वज्राद्नती Vajradanti | ''Barleria prionitis'' or Vajradanti has been used in India for a long time for many medicinal purposes. Its chief use is in treating oral disorders like gingivitis, dental caries and is commonly used in Ayurvedic mouthwashes, creams and pastes. |
| Nyctaginaceae | Boerhavia diffusa | Red hogweed, Tar Vine, Red Spiderling, Wineflower | Punarnava, Satha | ''Boerhavia diffusa'' is a weed growing in many parts of India. It had edible leaves. Roots of this plant are used by many tribes in India for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The name ''Punarnava'' means that which rejuvenates. This plant is an ingredient of Dabur Chawanprash. |
| Burseraceae | Boswellia serrata | Indian Olibanum | Kundur, Luban, Salai | ''Boswellia serrata'' is Indian frankincense. It is also called Salai in Hindi and Indian Olibanum in English. It is found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Andhara Pradesh in India. In Ayurvedic medicine, this plant has been used for hundreds of years for treating arthritis. |
| Asclepiadaceae | Calotropis procera | Rubber bush, apple of Sodom | Aak आक, Mudar मुदर | Calotropis procera is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that is native to North Africa, Tropical Africa, Western Asia, South Asia, and Indochina. It is commonly known as Apple of Sodom, a name derived from the ''Hebrew Tapuah Sdom''.The green globes are hollow but the flesh contains a toxic milky sap that is extremely bitter and turns into gluey coating resistant to soap. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Caricaceae | Carica papaya | papaya | पपीता | |
| Apocynaceae | Catharanthus pusillus | Tiny Periwinkle, Tiny Vinca | सान्ग्खी Sangkhi | |
| Apocynaceae | Catharanthus roseus | Tiny Periwinkle, Vinca | सदाबहार Sadabaha | ''Catharanthus'' is a genus of eight species, mostly annuals and perennials native to Madagascar. Only ''C. roseus'' is widely cultivated. popular varieties include '''Cooler Series, Pacifica seres,Pacifica Punch,Parasol,Pretty Series and Pretty Series "Pretty in Rose"'''.(Source:AHS Encyclopedia) |
| Pinaceae | Cedrus deodara | Deodar Cedar | देओदार | These are evergreen conifers known for their ornamental value and broadly used as timber. their wood has aromatic smell with red or red-tinged colour and is decay-resistant and insect-repellent. |
| Parkeriaceae | Ceratopteris pteridoides | Floating antlerfern | | ''Ceratopteris'' species are aquatic pteridophytic ferns, generally found in tropical regions. They require a warm climate and lots of water. Two species - ''C. pteridoides'' and ''C. thalictroides'' are found in India. There is confusion among botanists on whether ''Ceratopteris cornuta'' and ''C. pteridoides'' are separate species. |
| Parkeriaceae | Ceratopteris thalictroides | Water sprite, Indian fern, Water fern, Oriental waterfern, Water hornfern | | ''Ceratopteris'' species are aquatic pteridophytic ferns, generally found in tropical regions. They require a warm climate and lots of water. Two species - ''C. pteridoides'' and ''C. thalictroides'' are found in India. ''C. thalictroides'' or watersprite is used as an ornamental plant in aquariums. It is also cultivated as a vegetable for including in salads, due to its several curly leaves. |
| Lauraceae | Cinnamomum tamala | Indian Bay Leaf, Indian cassia, Indian cassia bark, Tamala cassia, Malabar Leaf | तेजपत्ता tejpatta | ''Cinnamomum tamala'' or Indian Bark is a commonly used plant known by the name '''Tejpatta''' in India. It is native to India. The leaves of the species are used as a popular spice in several Indian dishes, particularly in Northern India. The leaves have a cinnamon-like aroma (as the species name would suggest). The bark of this tree is also used as a spice. The leaves are also used in the perfume industry for their fragrance. |
| Arecaceae | Cocos nucifera | Coconut | नारियल Naariyal | |
| Apiaceae | Coriandrum sativum | Coriander | धनिया Dhaniya • | Coriander (Dhania) is native to southern Europe and North Africa to southwestern Asia and Indian subcontinent. |
| Zingiberaceae | Curcuma longa | Common Turmeric | हल्दी Haldi | ''Curcuma longa'' or Turmeric is a plant with high medicinal and cultural value in India. The rhizome of the plant has medicinal properties. The dried root is ground into a powder which is used on several religious occasions in Hinduism. India is the largest producer of Turmeric in the world. (Adapted from Wikipedia) |
| Zingiberaceae | Curcuma zedoaria | White turmeric, Zedoary | जंगली हऴदी Jangli Haldi | Zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria, known as కచొరము kacōramu in Telugu) is the name for a perennial herb and member of the genus Curcuma Linn., family Zingiberaceae. The plant is native to India and Indonesia. It was introduced to Europe by Arabs around the sixth century, but its use as a spice in the West today is extremely rare, having been replaced by ginger. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Cyperaceae | Cyperus rotundus | Common Nut Sedge, Coco grass, Nutgrass, Purple nutsedge | बड़ा नागर मोथा Bara-nagar-motha, कोरेही झाड़ Korehi-jhar, मोथा Motha | ''Cyperus rotundus'' is a small plant with individuals reaching upto 40cm. It is a very proliferative weed and has spread to several countries. It grows in agricultural lands and garden soils. This plant was, however, described in '''Charaka Samhita''', the first book on Indian medicine written in the first millennium. It is used in Ayurveda to treat fevers, digestive system disorders etc. Plant extract is a constituent of Dabur Chyawanprash and some hair oils. |
| Cyperaceae | Cyperus squarrosus | | | Cyperus squarrosus is a species of sedge known by several common names, including bearded flatsedge and awned flatsedge. It is found in wet environments nearly worldwide. It is a small sedge, reaching a maximum height between 10 and 16 centimeters. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Solanaceae | Datura metel | Devil's Trumpet, Horn of plenty, Downy thorn apple | Safed dhatura सफ़ैद धतूरा | ''Datura metel'' is a plant possibly native to Asia. It is famous for the effects of its flower on the nervous system when ingested. All parts of Datura plants contain dangerous levels of tropane alkyloids (highly poisonous) and may be fatal if ingested by humans or other animals, including livestock and pets. In some places it is prohibited to buy, sell or cultivate Datura plants. In regulated quantities however, Datura has been traditionally used in Chinese and Indian medicines. |
| Apiaceae | Daucus carota | Wild carrot, Bird's nest, Bishop's lace, Queen Anne's lace | गाजर Gajar | ''Daucus carota'' is a flowering plant in the family ''Apiaceae'', native to temperate regions of Europe, southwest Asia and naturalised to northeast North America and Australia. Domesticated, cultivated carrots are cultivars of a subspecies, Daucus carota subsp. sativus. The flowers are very similar in appearance to a poisonous species '''Poison Hemlock''' ''Conium maculatum'' (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Asteraceae | Eclipta prostrata | | | ''Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.'' (syn. ''Eclipta prostrata L.''), commonly known as False Daisy , and Bhringraj, is a plant belonging to the family ''Asteraceae''. It is widely distributed throughout India, China, Thailand, and Brazil. In ayurvedic medicine, the leaf extract is considered a powerful liver tonic, rejuvenative, and especially good for the hair. A black dye obtained from Eclipta alba is used for dyeing hair and tattooing. Eclipta alba also has traditional external uses, like athlete foot, eczema and dermatitis, on the scalp to address hair loss and the leaves have been used in the treatment of scorpion stings. It is used as anti-venom against snakebite in China and Brazil. It is reported to improve hair growth and colour. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Zingiberaceae | Elettaria cardamomum | Cardamom, Green cardamom | इलाएची Elaichi | ''Elettaria cardamomum'' is the spice Cardamom or "Elaichi" used for cooking in many parts of the world and in India. It is popularly used to spice up tea in India. Cardamom refers to several plants of the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the ginger family Zingiberaceae. Both genera are native to India, they are recognised by their small seed pod, triangular in cross-section and spindle-shaped, with a thin papery outer shell and small black seeds. Elettaria pods are light green while Amomum pods are larger and dark brown. (Source: Wikipedia) |
| Myrsinaceae | Embelia ribes | Embelia, False Black Pepper, False Pepper | Vayavidnag, Baberang | ''Embelia ribes'', commonly known as False Black Pepper or White-flowered ''Embelia'', is a species in the ''Myrsinaceae''. It was originally described by Nicolaas Laurens Burman in his 1768 publication, Flora Indica. It is a plant of medicinal importance. It has been described by Shushruta as an antihelmenthic in combination with Liquorice root. Modern research has also shown it to be effective against tapeworm infection. |
| Musaceae | Ensete superbum | Rock banana, Wild plantain | जंगली केला jungli kela | ''Ensete superbum'' is a species of banana found only in India (and probably in Thailand). The plant is a very hardy plant and prefers rocky barren areas. It is non-stoloneferous and does not produce suckers. Regeneration by seeds is the only natural means for propagation. Ensete superbum has enormous horticultural value in terms of being an ornamental and medicinal plant. It is resembles a banana plant. Characteristic phyllotaxy on a large pseudostem gives E. superbum, a huge nested-fern appearance. Massive base and red flower head with broad leaves outlined in deep red and deep mid-rib are specific morphological features that add its appeal and aesthetic value.It is best planted as a focal point on a lawn or in a small group making it suitable for a garden or park.
commonly known as: rock banana, wild plantain • Hindi: जंगली केला jungli kela • Kannada: ಕಾಡು ಬಾಳೆ kaadu baale, ಕಲ್ಲು ಬಾಳೆ kallu baale • Konkani: रान क्यांळे raan kyaanle • Malayalam: കല്ല് വാഴ kall vazha • Marathi: चवेणी chaveni, रानकेळ raankel • Sanskrit: बहुजा bahuja • Tamil: கல்வாழை kal-valai, காட்டுவாழை kattu-valai • Telugu: అడవి అరటి adavi arati |
| Equisetaceae | Equisetum ramosissimum | Branched Horsetail | | |
