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Monday, October 08, 2018

Not so exotic plants of Mount Abu

Shrubs and Trees of Mount Abu

"Datura Plant, grow wild in Mount Abu."
Datura Plant

Datura also is known as "Devil's Weed, Moonflower, Jimsonweed and a host of other names.

Datura A genus of the nightshade family, with prickly seedpods, a captivating and extraordinary trumpet flower. 

"Datura A genus of the nightshade family, with prickly seedpods, a captivating and extraordinary trumpet flower"
Datura Flower


It thrives and survives and grows on roadsides, deserted and parched hillsides, and also grows in crevices of our larva rocks in Abu. Abuites are conscious of this plant. They used its flowers in offerings in temples to appease the deities. Most folks are AWARE of its deadly poisonous toxins.
In India, Datura also features Tantra, as a crucial ingredient for black magic rituals. 
"Datura Seedpod, a prickly ball like shpe."
Datura Seedpod

To read more on this DEADLY plant, click the link below 
BE BLOWN AWAY

The Essential Guide To Datura


Nicandra Plant

Nicandra Plant

The wild Gooseberry Plant.

The common names of Apple-of-Peru and Shoo-fly plants are also known as Nicandra.

I do not know its local name. I've asked around and only to be told it's some sort of wild gooseberry. It's probably made its way to our part of the world introduced as an exotic or ornamental plant. Folks out here have conflicting views on whether this plant and its berries are edible or poisonous. The conclusion is left alone. Better to be safe than sorry.

Purple Sunbird Oh! Wow, its nectar is YUM.
To read more click

Nicandra

Stinging Nettle /Bichchhu buti (local Name)




Stinging Nettle /Bichchhu buti (local Name)



Other common names for this herb are Devil's Leaf. Bichchhu Buti, Chinese Nettle and Stinging Nettle.

The school children and the local Abuites are fully aware of this plant, while on jungle walks this was one plant avoided by one and all. The Hindi name is Bichchhu Buti sure describes its properties. If one should brush against this plant the stinging hairs which work as a defence system penetrate and leaves the recipient with a burning sensation as stung by a scorpion. It is believed female plants produce more stinging hair than males. Typical isn't it "Beware of Females and their willy ways". 
To glean more on this herb click 



COCKLEBUR


Cocklebur 

The Burr tree as we are all familiar with is native to Abu. It's one of the best examples of the ultimate hitchhiking plant on the planet. If one has a hairy dog, well you know what I'm talking about, it's almost impossible to untangle this but better to use a pair of scissors to nip it off. 

To read more on this plant click 

Elephant ear

Elephant Ear growing wild in Mount Abu


Flower Elephant ear plant 



Argemone mexicana - Mexican Poppy or  Hindi: सत्यानाशी Satyanashi


Mexican Poppy / सत्यानाशी Satyanashi

Mexican Poppy / सत्यानाशी Satyanashi


Argemone mexicana - Mexican Poppy is a prickly, hairless, branching herb with yellow juice and showy yellow flowers. 
Common name:  Mexican poppy, Prickly Poppy •  Hindi: सत्यानाशी Satyanashi, 
The Mexican Poppy or the Satyanashi, is a small herb that grows throughout Abu, on its hillsides, arid grazing land and even in crevices on rocks. Both animals and the human population avoid it as its leaves look deadly with its spiny tips. The plant is toxic to animals and lively stock. Its seeds are identical to those of mustard seeds. Mustard seed in India has been known to be adulterated and has had dire effects on those who consumed it. 



Congress Grass 
In India, we locally know it as carrot grass, congress grass or Gajar Ghans.

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