REMEMBERING SOME PLANTS OF CHILDHOOD DAYS-PART-II

                                  "Remembering past gives power to present"                      

  In the previous  blog I have mentioned about some rare trees of our village from childhood  day's memory. As a man of Botany I find some of these plants being very rare for this zone and growing
such plants simply depict keen interest interest   and love for plants. Some of these plants were introduced from South India by Iyengars  families .Well acclimatized species adopted and survived for a long period. Decline in number or disappearance began with migration of these families from the village. I would like to mention about some of these rare plants from my memory. I would begin with a plant with plant from our home garden.           

                                       

           

            Dumpa Rastram-It happened to be a Zinger like herb growing near the well of our uncle's   house. This medicinal herb was introduced from South India.Plants had under ground rhizome    It is used for Nausea,Dyspepsia,flatulance related problems. It is also used as Thai cuisine.        

This plant has disappeared from its site. Its Scientific Name is:Alapina galanga,         

Family-Zinziberaceae ,

    Harjora-  This climber was very common during childhood days. Its importance in  the preparation of home made South Indian papad   . The plant may now still  be present but in  restricted numbers. This valuable herb has number of medicinal  properties.It is used for controlling obesity, blood sugar and high cholesterol. It is also used inGout,Rheumatoid Arthritis.etc..It has antioxidant and analgesic properties.Its Scientific Name is:Crissus quadrangularis,   Family-Vitaceae.  

Shir-Amla(Nor)-It happened to be one of the rare plant I have seen
during my childhood days.As I remember it happened to be a medium seized tree located in  Kharbora.The plant used to bear a number small round fruits in groups.ripe fruits used to be yellowish
6-8 ribbed structures.We used to eat mild sour fruits probably through out the year.This happened to be a medicinal plant but not common to this region. The solitary plant has disappeared.
Scientific name:Phyllanthus acidus, family-Phyllanthaceae.

Brihati-It was one of common shrub found in our house and most of the houses of South Indian families. Its berries were used for the preparation of vegetable. Dried unripe berries were preserved for use.Plants had broad leaves with occasional prickles.Fruits or the berries were produced in bunches.Green ,round unripe fruits turned yellow when ripe.Probably due to its multiple medicinal uses such as in Respiratory ailments,Heart diseases,Chronic fever etc.,this plant became household.Its Scientific Name is Solanum torvum,
Family-Solanaceae.
Kauwa or Keo(Crepe Ginger)-I remember the plant growing in                  abundance on the hills near our house. Presently there is no trace of this plant on those sites. Very recently I tried to gather information about it and found it to be a medicinal plant. I do not have any idea about the plant grew in natural population or introduced one. Similarly, the name "Kawa Kuli" might have been derived from the name of this plant. This plant is native of south east Asia. Plants are tall herbs with under ground rhizome and spiral leaves on unbranched stem. Flowers are attractive white or yellow in color The plant  is used for curing fever,cold,Asthama, Pneumonia ,Diabetic control,etc...Scientific Name of this plant is: Chelicostus speciosus,family-Costaceae.                              

                                        Kanch-This happens to be another plant which fascinated me for its colored

seeds. I have seen a number of climbers of Kanch growing during winter season on the hill near our house. I could not trace this plant during my recent visit. Although plants are perennial but, can be seen flowering state during early winter. Flowers are white or pink.Pods are flat structures containing few round red colored seeds. Seeds are some times used in Nervous disorder but its strong blood coagulating property restricts its use with caution. The Scientific name is:Abrus precatorius,family-Fabaceae.  

Gloriosa-  Locally the plant was known as "Larhaiya plant" as it was believed that keeping flower of this plant at home  caused quarrel.But,the beauty of the flower did not justify the notion. I had the opportunity to see this plant in full bloom on the hill adjacent to our house. At present the plant has completely disappeared and has also been included in the list of Endangered species.It happened to be a perennial herb under ground rhizome . Leaf tips ended in hook like tendrils. Attractive flowers were bright red or orange with yellowish base. Otherwise poisonous plants are the source of valuable medicine. Scientific name of this plant is :Gloriosa superba   ,Family-Colchicaceae. 
Alkushi or Akolchi-Once this climber was very common in the hill near our house. It happened to be used by children for creating irritability in some other child. Hairs present on the outer wall of the pods caused such effect. Plants were climbers with pink flowers and pods in bunches. On maturity pods turned brown with dense hairs. Irritability was caused by chemical present in these hairs. Seeds are the source important medicine for Parkinson disease.  Its scientific name is:Mucuna puriens,family-Fabaceae.

 
                  Latha or Latha Karanj=During our child hood days Latha seeds                       were popular  play  material. It was easily available from the plants
growing in the waste lands of the village. These were climbing shrubs of considerable height. Cluster of branches formed dense tangle.Sharp,recurved prickles were distributed on the stem and leaves. Matured oval pods were clothed with prickles. Each pod contained one or two round, hard shiny seeds. Its Scientific Name is
Caesalpinia crista,family-Caesalpinaceae.

Gargat or Gurgur(Job's Tear)-   Bead like seeds of Gorgot used to be our very popular material for play. These were used as targets to be hit a stone piece of stone or "Deg". We used to collect beautiful bead like grains from paddy fields. Plants of Gorgot as locally called happened to be weeds with Unbranched stem with  

shining round beads like grains. For us as child only use of these grains was as play material but, it has number of uses. As folk medicine the plant is used as remedy for abdominal tumor. It also as application as Anti inflammatory,Antipyretic,sedative purposes. Colored bead like seeds are used for decorative purposes. Its Scientific Name is Coix lacryma-jobi,Family-Poaceae.  

Shiakul-  Small, black, round fruits of Shiakul were another attraction of winter in our child hood days. Thorny bushes of this plant used to grow around rice fields or on the fences of orchards around our village. I do not know  whether the sour-sweet tasting fruits are still popular or not. Plants are branched and spiny. Green flowers appeared on the axils of leaves. Fruits  are 
one seeded drupes which turn black when ripe. The plant is medicinally important as chewed leaves are used for wound dressing, stem for mouth wash, Throat soar,dysentery etc. Its Scientific
Name is : Zizyphus encolpia, Family-Rahmnaceae.  

In all I have mentioned about Eleven plants from the memory of my child hood days. I have not verified about the current status of their availability but presume that the process of  decline in their number and distribution must be taking place. Conservation of these plants requires public awareness. Scientific information and photographs used in both the blogs   have been gathered from various ,I acknowledge with thanks.