Flora watching on 23 Oct 09 - along the canal

रसभरी (Physalis minima)

This was growing along the cart track - I could see only one plant.

Ludwigia species, quite a spread out bush, leaning on the flowing water channel. Tiny yellow flowers looked charming to my wild loving eyes.

Kaans with flowery heads, dancing inthe breeze looked beautiful. What a bliss for me to feel a dwarf while passing through their thickets. Lot of weavers and munias perched on them. And even a Shikra.

Wild Plants seen on 17 Oct 09

Ipomoea trilobaSome species of Persicaria (?)

Common Purple Mallow Urena lobata.

Lablab purpureous (does anyone know its common English or Hindi name?)

While walking alongthe cart track between two canals in Sonepat (Gurgaon Water Supply Channel and Pai Canal), I came across these flowering plants.

Carissa congesta or Christ's Thorn

In Hindi, Carissa congesta is known as Karaunda. Edible fruits are used for pickles and medicines. This shrub is thorny. Fruits are also eatern by birds.

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Bacopa monnieri or Thyme Leaved Gratiola

This succulent creeping herb is also knwon as Neer Brahmi. Pale blue or white flowers are short lived. Seen in moist places in dense mats. Plant is used in traditional medicine and is famous as 'memory booster'. Photographed on 17 May 09.

Alhagi pseudalhagi 090509b

This small plant is known in scientific nomenclature as Alhagi pseudalhagi. Quite a common thing, photographed on 9th May 09.

Abutilon indicum or Country Mallow

This wild plant, dominantly common, was photographed on 14 May 2009 in Sonepat. Leaves are quite soft and heart-shaped. Food plant of caterpillars. Used in medicines also.

Abrus precatorius or Crab-eyed Creeper

These beautiful seeds of Abrus precatorius (Crab-eyed Creeper) are toxic, though used for ornamental purposes, its green leaves are eaten with betal leaf. These photographs were taken in Sonepat, growing along a countryside road on 13 April 2009.