Fuchsia are know for its pendant, bell shaped flowers . And they look especially beautiful in hanging baskets. They are attractive because their sepals and petals are all brightly coloured. And they attract a number of insects and birds. Over a period of time, the plant once native to South America, is seen in many parts of the world, and because of hybridisation , in many different colours!
These were spotted just outside a Peter Rabbit Store in Kendal, UK.
Common name: Cranesbill, Geranium
Deep magenta-purple flowers bloom early summer to autumn. A very low and compact plant with rich green foliage. In other colours too. Bloom in Spring and Summer. Flowers have five petals. They have beak like spring capsules which burst open to disperse the seeds.
Geraniums growing in my S’s apartment window in London.
Annual climber. Can be used to grow over bamboo trellis or just around the fence.
Some varieties are very fragrant. Like this one which was photographed. The stems are somewhat folded and the petals of the flower has been compared to that of a butterfly. Seen in lovely colours of white, pink, purple.
Botanical name: Lathyrus odoratus Family: Fabaceae (pea family)
Photographed at Lodi Gardens, New Delhi.
Common name: Pink trumpet tree, Pink poui, Pink tecoma, Rosy trumpet tree, Basant rani
The tree is covered with these lovely purplish pink flowers. And when in full bloom is leafless. Flowering time – December – February.
Botanical name: Tabebuia rosea Family: Bignoniaceae (jacaranda family)
Picture taken on Necklace Road, Hyderabad.
Common name: Cockscomb
My SIL’s home, where this flower was blooming, said they called it Velvet Flower, because of its soft texture.
Hundreds of tiny flowers are tightly clustered and form the flowerhead, and since it bears a resemblance to the rooster’s comb, it has been commonly refered to as the Cockscomb. Commonly found in red, yellow, orange, gold and pink.
These are favourite flowers for floral arrangements in Kerala, South India and also supposedly in Japan. These are commonly found in dry arrangements as the flowers retain their colour even upon drying.
Botanical name: Celosia argentea var. cristata Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family)
Picture taken at Sainikpuri, Secunderabad.
I already have a post on the Purple Bauhinia. But the sight of the pink bauhinia tree was so beautiful to behold, that I had to post the pictures here again.
The tree is popularly called the Orchid tree, Pink Bauhinia, Butterfly Tree and even the Napolean’s Plume.
Beautiful, right? Too beautiful a sight to skip.
I managed to get the pictures before the sky opened up and it started pouring. Taken at Hitex Convention Centre, Hyderabad.
A deciduous tree – meaning the plant loses its leaves in winter.
For anyone who just might want to learn more about flora , hop over to http://flowersofindia.net. A beautifully compiled site. With terms explained in a simple manner. I identify most trees and flowers over here.
Common name: Hispaniolan Rosy Trumpet Tree
A small tree originally from the island of Hispaniola near Cuba bearing trumpet shaped flowers with 5 petals with crinkled margins. The flowers, are rosy white, and yellow in the throat.
It is cultivated in India, but not known to be very common. I have, as of now, seen it Mumbai, in KBR park and also on Necklace Road ( where this tree was photographed ).
Botanical name: Tabebuia berteroi Family: Bignoniaceae (Jacaranda family)
Common name: Desert Rose, Adenium
This shrub/treelet has survived house-shifting and quite a few days of non-watering, these last four years. And it has the most blooms this year.
Flower belongs to the same family as Frangipani. It can also be grown as a bonsai. A native of East Africa.
Botanical name: Adenium obesum Family: Apocynaceae (Oleander family)
Common name: Balsam, Garden balsam, Rose balsam, Spotted snapweed, Touch-me-not
The plant has thick stem and spiky edged green leaves. I read that it is called touch-me-not because the ripe seed pods burst when touched. The flowers are pretty, almost like that of a rose. There are different colours – I have seen only pink, white and violet.
Native to South – East Asia.
Botanical name: Impatiens balsamina Family: Balsaminaceae (Balsam family)
Daiv of Cactiguide helped me identify this plant.
Aechmea fasciata is also known as the silver vase bromeliad. It is an epiphytic bromeliad which is native to Brazil. It has vase-shaped rosettes of silver-green leaves. It is about 2 ft tall, has silver-green leaves and an inflorescence made of pink bracts and tiny blue and red flowers. ( Almost looks like the matchstick flower that I saw at Mysore). This plant is commonly grown indoors.
Picture taken at Nong Nooch Gardens, Thailand.
Info – http://www.silvervase.com and http://coolexotics.com
