| 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. |
| Acanthaceae | | | | |
| Acanthaceae | Hygrophila auriculata | Hygrophila, Temple plant, Marsh Barbel | तालीम ख़ाना Talim Khana | ''Hygrophila auriculata'' is belongs to the genus ''Hygrophila'' whose identity as a separate genus is still debated. ''H. auriculata'' is an aquatic, perennial herb which has medicinal properties in treating liver ailments according to Ayurveda. |
| Acanthaceae | Justicia procumbens | Water willow, Shrimp plant | करंबल Karambal (Marathi) | ''Justicia procumbens'' or Water Willow is an perennial shrub plant having medicinal properties. The plant is also used as an ornamental plant due to its slender, tubular flowers. |
| Acanthaceae | Justicia adhatoda | Malabar Nut | अडुळसा Adulsa | ''Justicia adhatoda'', also known by its synonym ''Adhatoda vasica'' or by its Indian name '''अडुळसा (Adulsa)''', is a hardy plant that grows in low water conditions. It is a very popular medicinal plant in Ayurveda and is used for treating cough and cold. Its chief active chemical components are the alkaloids '''Vasicinone''' and '''Vasicine''' that have been shown to have bronchodilatory and respiro-stimulatory activity. |
| Acanthaceae | Phlogacanthus curviflorus | Wild Nongmangkha | NA | Wild Nongmangkha is found in North East India. It has bright red flowers borne as spikes. Leaves and flowers have medicinal properties and are used in native folk medicine. It can be used as an ornamental plant. |
| Acanthaceae | Phlogacanthus thyrsiformis | | | |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Anacardiaceae | Mangifera indica | Mango | आम Am | ''Mangifera indica'' or Mango is a very popular fruit in India and all parts of the world. It is famous for its bright yellow color and exquisite taste. The most popular variety of Indian mango is the "Alphonso".It is a crop of great economic importance to India and is cultivated in many parts of the country. |
| 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) |
| Apiaceae | Coriandrum sativum | Coriander | धनिया Dhaniya • | Coriander (Dhania) is native to southern Europe and North Africa to southwestern Asia and Indian subcontinent. |
| 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) |
| Apocynaceae | Rauwolfia serpentina | Indian snakeroot, Serpentine wood | सर्पगंधा Sarpagandha | ''Rauvolfia serpentina'' or snakewood is a plant native to India. The genus is also called ''Rauwolfia'', but the name ''Rauvolfia'' is the one accepted by the Species 2000 project, an official international species nomenclature agency. ''Rauvolfia serpentina'' is a popular folk medicine for diabetes and high blood pressure. It also has tranquilizing properties and is used as an antipsychotic drug, for curing schizophrenia and against snakebites. |
| Apocynaceae | Catharanthus pusillus | Tiny Periwinkle, Tiny Vinca | सान्ग्खी Sangkhi | |
| Arecaceae | Cocos nucifera | Coconut | नारियल Naariyal | |
| 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) |
| Asparagaceae | Urginea indica | indian squill | jangli-piyaz | plants of this species are found globally from Tropical Africa to Myanmar. In India, it is found throughout the plains and in the dry hills of the lower Himalayas . It uses as medicine dats back to sixth century before Christ, e.g; Oxymel of Squill, used for coughs, was invented by Pythagoras. |
| 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. |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| Azollaceae | Azolla pinnata | Mosquito fern, Duckweed fern, Fairy moss, Water 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) |
| 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. |
| Caricaceae | Carica papaya | papaya | पपीता | |
| Clusiaceae | Garcinia cambogia | Gamboge tree | | The dried thick outer coat of its fruit is rich in acids and has been valued for its marked antiseptic properties. Its fruit was used use by the Bombay army as an antiscorbutic in 1799 along with 'Kokam'. Its dried rind, is used in Travancore-Cochin and Malabar as a condiment for flavouring curries as a substitute of tamarind or lime. In Srilanka, under-ripe dried fruit, is used along with salt in the curing of fish. |
| Clusiaceae | Mesua ferrea | Cobra saffron, Ceylon ironwood, Indian rose chestnut | नाग चम्पा Nag champa, नागकेसर Nagkesar | This species is the national tree of Sri Lanka. The geography of Sri Lanka is quite similar to the South western regions of India. In fact, part of the Western Ghat seems to extend to Sri Lanka. ''Mesua ferrea'' is used in Indian cooking, as a medicine, for its fragrance and in the industry for its wood. Some people have noted the psychedelic effects of the fragrance of Nag Champa. The incense sticks made from the flowers of this plant are popular worldwide for their intense fragrance. |
| Combretaceae | Terminalia chebula | Chebulic Myrobalan, Myrobalan | हर्रा Harra, हरड़ Harad | ''Terminalia chebula'' is a tree native to North East India and Indo-Burma region. The tree yields a fruit which has an abrasive seed but a fleshy pulp. The plant is highly regarded in Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine. The seed, called "Harda" or Kala Namak in Hindi, is also used in Indian cooking. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Convolvulaceae | Ipomoea digitata | Giant potato | Bilaikand | |
| 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) |
| Equisetaceae | Equisetum ramosissimum | Branched Horsetail | | |
| Fabaceae | Macrotyloma uniflorum | Horse gram, Madras gram | Kulith कुळीथ (Marathi) | Horse gram (''Macrotyloma uniflorum'', ''Fabaceae'') is one of the lesser known beans. The whole seeds of horse gram are generally utilized as cattle feed. However, it is consumed as a whole seed, as sprouts, or as whole meal by a large population in rural areas of southern India. Medical uses of these legumes have been discussed. Horse gram and moth bean are legumes of the tropics and subtropics, grown mostly under dry-land agriculture. (Source:Wikipedia) |
| Fabaceae | Saraca indica | Ashoka | अशोक Ashok | ''Saraca indica'' or the Ashoka tree is an important plant from a religious and cultural point of view in India. The tree has beautiful red flowers and a dense foliage which makes it seem stately to its devotees. The tree is a symbol of fertility in Indian culture and has been recently shown to provide relief to women during menstruation. The tree is revered in Hinduism and Buddhism and is frequently found in royal palace grounds or near temples. |
| 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 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 | Glycyrrhiza glabra | Cultivated Liquorice, Sweetwood | मुलेठी Mulethi | Liquorice or licorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. The liquorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas) that is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. |
| 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 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) |
| Isoetaceae | Isoetes coromandelina | Club Moss, Quillwort | | The genus ''Isoetes'' consists of more than 130 species. Fourteen endemic species have been described in India. The ranges of most of these species overlap each other, and there's no consensus about their specific limits. This entry, thus, may encompass information about more than one species and inter-species hybrids. |
| Lamiaceae | Ocimum tenuiflorum | Holy Basil, Indian Basil | तुलसी Tulsi | ''Ocimum tenuiflorum'' or Tulsi is one of the most sacred plants in Hinduism. The plant has several medicinal properties. It is found throughout India. |
| 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. |
| Malpighiaceae | | Hiptage, Helicopter flower | माधवी लता Madhavi Lata, अतिमुक्त Atimukta | ''Hiptage benghalensis'' is a plant native to India and South-East Asia. It forms woody creepers called '''lianas''' and spreads quite rapidly, making thickets and smothering vegetation. Thus, it is considered a weed in many parts of the world. In India, this plant has mythological association with Lord Krishna in Vrindavan. It is also cultivated for its fragrant and beautiful flowers. |
| Malvaceae | Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | Hibiscus, Chinese hibiscus | गुढ़ल Gurhal | ''Hibiscus rosa-sinensis'' or '''China rose''' is a beautiful, showy flower native to East Asia, mainly China. It is cultivated primarily as an ornamental plant. Plant breeders around the world have generated several varieties and hybrids of China Rose giving rise to an enormous array of colors and patterns within the species. |
| 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) |
| Marcileaceae | | | | |
| Marsileaceae | Marsilea brachypus | Waterclover | | ''Marsilea brachypus'' is a fern closely related to ''M. minuta''. In fact, it may be an environmentally induced phenotypic variety of ''M. minuta''. Other phenotypes may include species ''M. brachycarpa'', ''M. gracilenta'' and ''M. maheshwari'' (Cook) |
