White Ginger Lily (സുഗന്ധി )

Botanical name:  Hedychium coronarium

Malayalam name:  Suganthi

Other names: 

Butterfly Ginger Lily,

Garland Flower,

Dolan champa,

Family:   Zingiberaceae 

White Ginger Lily  is a robust, attractive plant that will reach 6 feet, leaves are lance-shaped and sharp-pointed.

It is is originally from the Himalayas region of Nepal and India and now  wide spread as a garden plant.

Throughout year the stalks are topped with 6-12 in.  long clusters of wonderfully fragrant white flowers that look like butterflies. 

It   is easy to propagate - simply dig it up, cut the tuber into small pieces and replant.

Medicinal properties:

It is reported that the powdered rhizome and an essential oil derived from it are antibiotic.

 It is used in Chinese natural medicine and has been prescribed and used in treatment of headache, lancinating pain, contusion,inflammatory and intense pain due  to rheumatism etc.

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Oleander Hawk Moth

Oleander Hawk Moth caterpillar

Puliyaral ( Indian sorrel)

Botanic name: Oxalis corniclata

Other names: Creeping woodsorrel.

Malayalam Name: Puliyaral

Family : Oxalidaceae.

A perennial  creeper, found in wet areas, grows in  a prostrate manner and forms roots and stem where nodes contact the soil.

The leaves are comprised of three heart shaped leaflets attached to the tip of a long stem. Leaves are green and often close and fold downward in intense light and at night.

It is a edible plant but,It is reported that the leaves contain oxalic acid hence the leaves should not be eaten in large amount.

Medicinal properties:

This plant is considered to be a cure for Scurvy, It is alo used for the treatment of Diarrhea, Dysentery and Hepatitis.