Curcuma caesia commonly known as black turmeric is actually a perennial herb with bluish-black rhizome. The plant is native to North-East and Central India. Black turmeric is also sparsely found in the Papi Hills of East Godavari, West Godavari, and the Khammam districts of Andhra Pradesh. It is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) which consists of 70 species of rhizomatous herbs making it a perennial rhizome. The rhizome of black turmeric has a high economic importance owing to its supposed medicinal properties. In west Bengal, the rhizome of the plant is used in Kali Puja, and therefore the…
Author: Sylvia
Chobchini or China root scientifically known as Smilax china has been used for ages in numerous tribal and folk medicine for a large number of health issues. Chobchini is hailed as a wonder medicine in Ayurveda and Unani too. The plant is native to China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan (including Ryukyu and Bonin Islands), Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Assam. Root or rhizome of Smilax is used in herbal formulations in several parts of the world. China cultivates this drug in large amount and for most of the countries it is exported from there. Hence it is usually recognized as China…
Breadnut is famous with many names such as the Maya nut, Ramon. Its scientific name is Brosimum Alicastrum and is a tree species in the Moraceae family of flowering plants whose other genera include figs and mulberries. The plant is native to Papua New Guinea and possibly the Moluccas (Indonesia) and the Philippines and is also produced in surrounding countries. The humid lowland tropical forests which experience heavy rainfall are the suitable type for its growth. The plant is known by a range of names in indigenous Mesoamerican and other languages, including Maya nut, Snakewood, Ramon, Ojoche, Ujushte, Ramon tree,…
Borojo fruit scientifically known as Alibertia patinoi is a small dioecious rainforest tree of genus Alibertia and Rubiaceae family. The plant is native to northwest area of Colombia in the Chocó Department and in the Esmeraldas Province of Ecuador, in areas of high humidity and an average temperature, both in the wild and on local farms. Borojó is an Emberá word meaning: boro = head, jo = fruit – head-shaped fruit, or round, globulous fruit. The species has also been reported from Panamá and Costa Rica. The Borojo tree needs a lot of shade, and usually grows in the shade…
Baccaurea motleyana commonly known as Rambai is medium-sized tree of genus Baccaurea Lour and Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family) the same family as related fruits like lang-khae and mafai. The plant is native to Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, West-, South- and East-Kalimantan) and Moluccas. Some of the common names of the plant are Common Rambai, mafia-farang, ramai, lam-khae, raa-maa tee-ku, pekan, ulup-lavai, bua trai, pekang, ramie, duo mai mu nai guo, menteng, sekoyun, pahae, rambeh, buah jentik and asam lambun. Rambai fruit is a kind of fruit that will bear fruit in considerable amounts. This fruit also…
Averrhoa bilimbi commonly known as bilimbi, cucumber tree is a fruit bearing tree of genus Averrhoa, family Oxalidaceae. It is a close relative of carambola tree. The plant is native to Southeast Asia but now found growing throughout the tropics. It is widely cultivated throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, India and Central and South America. The fruit is popular by different names in different languages. Some of the popular common names of the plant are Bilimbi, Bilimbi-tree, Cucumber-tree, Tree-sorrel, Bimbling plum, Pickle Fruit, cucumber tree, Belimbing, asam and pickle. The plant is commonly used as an herbal…
Artocarpus lacucha, also known as monkey fruit, or Monkey Jack fruit is a tropical evergreen tree species of the Moraceae family. The plant is distributed throughout the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia and is available in some Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The tree is valued for its wood; its fruit is edible and is believed to have medicinal value. Some of the popular common names of the plants are Monkey jack, Monkey jack tree, Monkey fruit and Monkey jack fruit. The generic name comes from the Greek words…
Artocarpus hypargyreus commonly known as Kwai Muk is a species of plant in the Moraceae family. The plant is native to Sothern China, in Hong Kong, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, South Hunan, Jiangxi and southeast Yunnan. Some of the common names of the plant are Silver-back Artocarpus and Sweet Artocarpus. The plant is inclined by territory loss; almost all species of Artocarpus are laticiferous trees or shrubs that are composed of leaves, twigs and stems capable of bringing into being a creamy sap. Plant description Kwai Muk is a fairly slow-growing evergreen tree that grows about 10–15 m (33–49) tall…
Annona glabra commonly known as Pond Apple is a tropical fruit tree in the family Annonaceae, in the same genus as the Soursop and Cherimoya. The tree is native to southern Florida in the United States (including the Everglades), the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, West Africa, and South Asia (Sri Lanka); it is an aggressive invader in the Pacific region. It is common in the Everglades. The Annona glabra tree is considered an aggressive species in Sri Lanka and Australia. It grows in swamps, is tolerant of saltwater, and cannot grow in dry soil. Some of the popular…
Candlenut (also known by Aleurites Moluccanus) is actually a flowering tree in the genus Aleurites belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. The genus contains two species: A. moluccanus (L.) Willd and Aleurites rockinghamensis (Baill.) P.I.Forst. The plant is native to Indo-Malaysia region. They are grown largely in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Queensland as well as some parts of Australia. It is also commonly known as Indian walnut, Candleberry, Candlenut, Candlenut-tree, Kukui, Lumbangtree, Varnishtree, Bankul nut tree, Indonesian walnut, Kukui nut, Moluccan oil tree, Tallow tree, Buah Keras, Tung-nut, Otaheite walnut, Balucanat and Belgaum…
Palmarosa scientifically known as Cymbopogon martini is a type of tropical aromatic grass native to India and Indochina and is known for its rich supply of volatile oils. It is an aromatic plant belonging to grass family Gramineae (Poaceae) and Lemon grass Genus. The genus Cymbopogon contains many species of grass that yield aromatic essential oils that are used in scent, ‘herbal’ insecticides, medicine and for flavoring foods. In India, it is distributed in Kashmir, Almora, Garhwal, and Punjab, Rajasthan, Mumbai and Southern states. It is commonly known as Rohisa in India and used medicinally in Ayurveda since ancient times.…
Camel grass scientifically known as Cymbopogon schoenanthus is an herbal plant native to the southern Asia and northern Africa. The plant belongs to Poaceae ⁄ Gramineae (Grass family). Some of the popular common names of the plant are Camel hay, Camel hay grass, Lemon-scented grass, Sweet cane, Sweet rush, Spikenard oil, Geranium grass, fever grass, scenanth, West Indian Lemon Grass and ginger grass. The plant is collected from the wild, and is also occasionally cultivated, for its essential oil which is used medicinally and in perfumery. Much respected by the ancient Greeks and Romans, the oil is still sold sometimes…
Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemon grass or oil grass, is actually a tropical plant native to tropical Asia mostly southern parts of India and Sri Lanka. It is a frost-tender clumping perennial grass that is commonly used as a lemony flavoring in Thai, Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian cooking and is widely cultivated in Southeast Asia for that purpose. It is also an outstanding ornamental grass from grass family of Poaceae. Some of the popular common names of the plant are Citronella grass, Fever grass, Lemon grass, Lemon-scented grass, West Indian lemon grass, barbed wire grass, Melissa grass, oil grass…
Emetic nut scientifically known as Catunaregam spinosa is a flowering plant belonging to Rubiaceae family. The plant is native to South Asia and other Asian countries. It is mostly found in Himalaya, Dehradun, Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, South Maharashtra and costal districts of south India. Few of the popular common names of the plant are Common emetic, Emetic nut, Karegida, Mountain Pomegranate, Mainphal and Madan. It is used in various traditional medicine systems for treatment of various ailments. It is a medicinal tree that treats cough, asthma, ulcers and many other ailments. Plant Description Emetic nut is a spiny, large deciduous…
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), also known as rose mallow, is a frost tender flowering plant that belongs to the Malvaceae (Mallow family). There are over 200 species of hibiscus that can be found in the warm and tropical regions all over the world. The plant is best known for its beautiful flowers and is cultivated for ornamental purposes. The plant is native to East Asia mostly China. It is now widely distributed and cultivated in the tropics and subtropics. Some of the popular common names of the plant are China rose, Chinese hibiscus, Hawaiian hibiscus, Hibiscus, Rose-of-China, Shoeblack plant, Chinese roos,…
The Schinus molle, known as American Pepper, Californian Pepper Tree is an evergreen tree that grows to 15 meters (50 feet). The plant is native to subtropical regions of South America – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay and belongs to the family of the Anacardiaceae. Some of the popular common names of the plant are Australian Pepper, Brazil Pepper-Tree, Brazilian Pepper Tree, California Peppertree, Chilean Pepper Tree, Escobilla, False Pepper, Mastic Tree, Molle, Molle Del Peru, Pepper Berry Tree, Pepper Rose, Pepper Tree, Pepperina, Pepper Tree, Peruvian Mastic Tree, Peruvian Pepper, Peruvian Pepper- Tree, Peruvian Pepper…
Spondias Purpurea commonly known as Spanish Plum, Seriguela is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae that is native to the tropical Americas, including the West Indies. The tree has been naturalized in parts of Africa, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, The Bahamas, Indonesia, and other Caribbean islands. It is rarely cultivated except in parts of the Brazilian Northeast. Spanish Plum fruit is easily found in the homes of Brazilians, especially those who live in the South and Southeast regions. Brazil is recognized as a country rich in fruit diversity and this “quality” should be used whenever possible.…
Ambarella, with Latin name Spondias dulcis and commonly known as kedondong is a tropical tree actually an equatorial or tropical tree, with edible fruit containing a fibrous pit. It is known by many other names in various regions, including kedondong in Indonesia, buah long long among the Chinese population in Singapore, pomme cythere in Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Martinique, June plum in Bermuda and Jamaica. The plant is native to South and Southeast Asia. It is widely cultivated in Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, and some parts of Africa. Some of the popular common names of the plant are…
Wild plum scientifically known as Prunus americana is a small, fast-growing, short-lived, colony-forming member of the Rosacea (Rose family) like peaches and cherries, commonly found along fencerows, open fields, and roadsides. The plant is native to North America from Saskatchewan to New Mexico east to New Hampshire and Florida. It has often been planted outside its core range and occasionally escapes cultivation. The plant is commonly confused with the Canada plum (Prunus nigra), although the fruit is smaller and rounder and bright red as opposed to yellow. Many cultivated varieties have been derived from this species. Some of the popular…
Mangifera pajang or bambangan is actually a fruit found only in Borneo, which includes the Brunei sultanate, Kalimantan province of Indonesia, and the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. The fruit is known in Borneo with its native name, Bambangan. It is a species of plant in the Anacardiacea family. Some of the popular common names of the fruit are Bambangan, Pajang, Membangan and Wild Mango. This fruit is used locally as food, the kernel sometimes being used to make pickle. Plant Description Bambangan is a tall, perennial, deciduous medium sized tree, 15–50 m high with huge, inaccessible columnar straight…
Horse Mango scientifically known as Mangifera foetida is a species of plant in the family Anacardiaceae which is commonly found in wet-land rainforest regions of Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Other Popular common names of the fruit are Bachang, Gray bacang, Grey bacang, Horse Bacang, Machang, Bacang, Grey mango, Limus, Mamut, Macang, Pahu, Svaay sââ, Thayetpoh and Xoài hôi. If you ever see the shape of a mango, you certainly will not feel strange with these horse mango fruit shape, because this fruit belongs to the family of mangoes, although having the same shape, but this fruit has…
Dracontomelon dao also known as New Guinea walnut, Pacific walnut, or Paldao, is actually a tropical canopy tree well-known mostly by its height for its greyish-brown trunk which is branchless up to about 20 m (66 ft.). The plant belongs to Anacardiaceae (Sumac family) and is native to eastern India, Andaman Islands, South China, Myanmar, Indochina, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The species name is taken from the tree’s name in Filipino. Other popular common names of the fruit are Argus pheasant tree, Mon fruit, New Guinea walnut, Papua New Guinea walnut, pheasant tree,…
Actinidia Chinensis commonly known as Golden Kiwi is a fruit tree as well as medicinal plant native to China – the central and eastern provinces. The plant belongs to Actinidiaceae (Chinese gooseberry family) and is normally pollinated by bees. Other popular common names of golden kiwi are Chinese Actinidia, Gold Kiwi Fruit, Kiwifruit, Kiwi Gold, Yellow-Fleshed Actinidia, red-ringed kiwifruit and red kiwifruit. The plant is best known for their edible fruits, though some species are also used as ornamentals, as a source of traditional medicines, and as a stimulant for cats somewhat akin to catnip. Plant Description Golden Kiwi is…
Black sapote scientifically known as Diospyros digyna is a delicious tasting fruit which is native along both coasts of Mexico from Jalisco to Chiapas, Veracruz and Yucatan and in the forested lowlands of Central America, and it is frequently cultivated throughout this range. Commonly known as Chocolate Pudding Fruit this amazing fruit is low in fat and an excellent source of Vitamin C containing about 4 times as much as an orange. The black sapote is a member of the Ebenaceae (Ebony family). Other popular common names of the plant are Axle Grease Plant, Black Apple, Black Persimmon, Chocolate Persimmon,…
Rumex vesicarius commonly known as Sorrel is a hardy perennial herbs belonging to the Polygonaceae, or buckwheat, family that are widely distributed in temperate regions around the world. Sorrel is native to Europe and Asia and was grown as a popular herb and vegetable throughout history. Other popular common names of the plant are common sorrel, garden sorrel, Bladder dock, Rosy Dock, ambari, sorrel, bubble dock, spinach dock and narrow leaved dock. It is a fascinating perennial herb that is used all around the world and is cultivated for a wide variety of uses. Since sorrel was used by the…
Henbane, whose botanical name is Hyoscyamus Niger, is actually a member of nightshade family or Solanaceae. This family consists of nearly 98 genera and some 2, 700 species of plant. Some of the plants belonging to this family are extremely toxic like Datura, Mandragora and Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade). The plant is probably widespread to the Mediterranean countries and western Asia, but is now extensive in many parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The species has been introduced and naturalized in North America, Brazil, Australia and many other countries. Other popular common names of the plant are Black henbane,…
Rubus ellipticus, commonly known as golden Himalayan raspberry or as yellow Himalayan raspberry, is an Asian species of thorny fruiting shrub in the rose family. The plant is native to China, Nepal, the Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, and the Philippines. Other popular common names of plant are Asian wild raspberry, Broad leafed bramble, Ceylon blackberry, Cheese berry, Golden evergreen raspberry, Golden raspberry, Himalayan yellow raspberry, Molucca berry, Molucca bramble, Molucca raspberry, Robust blackberry, Yellow bramble, Yellow Himalayan raspberry, Yellow raspberry, wild raspberry, hisalu, ashilo, aisayloo and is loved by kids playing in the forests. They are sweet to the taste, though…
Botanically classified as Rubus occidentalis, Black raspberries are occasionally referred to as Blackcaps. They are a mostly self-fruiting brambleberry and are member of the family, Rosaceae along with strawberries and blackberries. The plant is indigenous to East and central North America: New Brunswick to Minnesota, south to Georgia, west to Nebraska and Colorado. Other Popular common names of the plant are American Black Raspberry, Blackcap, Black Raspberry, Purple Raspberry, Scotch Cap, Framboise Noire, Framboise Sauvage, Framboisier Noir, Framboisier de Virginie, Frambuesa Negra, Ronce, Ronce d’Occident, Ronce Occidentale, Rubus occidentalis, Thimbleberry and Virginia Raspberry. Its common name black raspberry is shared…
Loganberry scientifically known as Rubus loganobaccus, is a bramble berry named after its creator, James Harvey Logan. Loganberries appear to have been produced by accident in Oregon in the 1800s, and they quickly spread all the way South to Mexico. In the Pacific Northwest, loganberries are a very popular berry, and many people like to cultivate them at home. It is a combined hybrid fruit that was cultivated from crossing a blackberry and a raspberry. Other popular common names of the plant are Boysenberry, Loganberry, Phenomenal-berry and Tayberry. The plant and the fruit resemble the blackberry more than the raspberry,…
Butea monosperma also known as Palash is a species of Butea native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, ranging across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and western Indonesia. Some of the popular common names of the plant are Bastard teak, Bengal kino, Flame of the forest, Kino tree, Parrot tree, Bengal kino tree, butea gum, Butea Kino, dhak, dhak tree, Gum Of The Palas, palas, palash, parrot tree, Sacred Tree , battle of Plassey tree and palas tree. The genus Butea is named after the Earl of Bute,…