State Tree of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Botantical Name: Pterocarpus dalbergioides

Scientific Classification:

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Pterocarpus

Common Name: Andaman Padauk

Pterocarpus dalbergioides is indigenous to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Andaman Padauk is known for its reddish colour timber used in the manufacturing of wooden objects.

Peacock Plant

Botanical Name:

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Scientific Classification:

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Caesalpinia

Common Name:

Peacock Plant, Peacock Flower Plant, Pride of Barbados, Red Bird of Paradise, Mexican Bird of Paradise, Dwarf Poinciana

Local Name (Hindi Name) :

Guletura

Plant Description :

The flowers of Caesalpinia pulcherrima bloom throughout the year. The Caesalpinia pulcherrima is commonly known by names such as Peacock Plant, Peacock Flower Plant, Pride of Barbados, Red Bird of Paradise, Mexican Bird of Paradise, and Dwarf Poinciana. In India, this plant is either referred by its botantical name, that is, Caesalpinia pulcherrima or by two of its popular common names, that is, Peacock Plant (or Peacock Flower Plant) and Pride of Barbados. Some people confuse Caesalpinia pulcherrima plant as Gulmohar. This is because of the many similarities between the Gulmohar and Guletura (Caesalpinia pulcherrima).

Four o’clock Plant

Botanical Name:

Mirabilis jalapa

Scientific Classification:

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Nyctaginaceae

Genus: Mirabilis

Common Name:

Four o’clock Plant, Marvel of Peru

Local Name (Hindi Name) :

Gul abbas

Plant Description:

The Four o’clock plant is known by many names. The botanical name of the Four o’clock plant is Mirabilis jalapa. In ancient times, Mirabilis jalapa was referred to as Krishnakali. In South India, the Mirabilis jalapa plant is known as andhi mandarai (Tamil Nadu), naalumani poovu (Kerela),  sanje mallige (Karnataka), chandrakantha (Andhra Pradesh), In North India, the Mirabilis jalapa plant is known by it’s hindi name, Gul abbas. However, if someone refers to the Mirabilis jalapa plant as not Four o’clock plant, but Marvel of Peru plant, don’t be confused. In the sixteenth century, the Mirabilis jalapa plant was exported from Peru to the different parts of the world.

The Mirabilis jalapa plant is an ornamental plant. This plant was once considered the gardener’s favorite. However in modern times, the popularity of the plant has been taken over by Periwinkle. The reason being is that the flower of a Periwinkle plant last much longer than the flower of a Mirabilis jalapa plant.  Hence, you will have to do some searching in the gardens of India, to spot Mirabilis jalapa.

The reason behind the name ‘Four o’clock’, is that according to legend, the Four o’clock plant can be best viewed at Four o’clock in the afternoon. The flowers of a Four o’clock plant can be pink, yellow, white, and (rarely) blue. Many a times, it is the blue flower that gets most noticed, and hence a Four o’clock ‘blue’ color flower plant  is costlier as compared to the rest.

Aster

Botanical Name: 
Aster amellus

Scientific Classification:
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Aster

Common Name: 
Michaelmas Daisy, Aster

Plant Description:

The color of an Aster flower can be purple, pink, white, red, and blue. The above photo is of an aster purple color flower plant. This is widely found. However, difficult to maintain in the warmer climate. The Aster amellus plant needs full sunlight and a porous soil. This plant is not to be confused with Kalimeris indica, commonly referred to as Indian aster.

Rose Balsam

Botanical Name: 
Impatiens balsamina

Scientific Classification:
Order: Ericales
Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens

Common Name: 
Garden Balsam, Rose Balsam

Plant Description:

Impatiens Balsamina is a plant which is native to India. The Rose Balsam has a weak stem. Hence, it is better if you to cut a centimeter of a rose balsam after it has grown say, 30 centimeters. This will not only ensure a better bloom but also will prevent the plant from tilting at the initial stages.  

Vinca White Periwinkle

Botanical Name: 
Catharanthus rosea alba

Scientific Classification:
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Catharanthus

Common Name: 
Periwinkle, Vinca White

Plant Description:

Periwinkles blossom throughout the year. They are found in all parts of India. The reason being is their ability to withstand almost all climatic conditions. Hence, they are considered as being a favorite among gardeners. However, they do need a minimum amount of sunlight and well drained soil. Hence, frequent watering of the plant is not advisable.

Why not to have Periwinkle in your Garden?

One of the main reason of not having the Catharanthus rosea alba plant in your garden is that it affects the biodiversity of your garden. Due to the reproductive capacity of Catharanthus rosea alba, the Periwinkle Plant will intrude into other neighboring plants. Thus, threatening the survival of the surrounding plants for the sake of its own survival. This makes one to ponder whether the Periwinkle believes that it is still in the Hobbesian State of Nature.

Why have Periwinkle in your Garden?

The Catharanthus rosea alba plant, a.k.a. the Periwinkle Plant is loved by many. The reason being, they blossom throughout the year. Besides, it serves best especially when you want to decorate a particular corner of your garden.

Mussaenda Pink

Botanical Name:
Mussaenda Philippica Rosea

Scientific Classification:
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Mussaenda

Common Name:
Mussaenda Pink