REMEMBERING SOME PLANTS OF CHILDHOOD DAYS-PART-I

Memories of childhood days are very special to all of us. We remember persons associated during those days and also some of the special events of childhood days.Greater part of my childhood was spent in Godi Bero.It is a beautiful village in the District of Purulia in West Bengal.I still remember the place surrounded by hills. Large pond with clear water  used to add to its beauty. There were few gardens and orchards around hosting large number of valuable plants. We used to move around these green areas enjoying seasonal fruits some times against the wishes of the owners of private gardens. After joining college, University and finally job, my association with the village became limited. During my last visit after many years, I noticed the village has changed significantly. I also realised      that many valuable plants have   disappeared. From a Botanist's angle the loss is irreparable.     Since, no record is available so, I decided to prepare a list of some plants which have disappeared or may disappear soon. My observation is based on my memory of my village and its around. So, plant being listed as disappeared may still be surviving on other locations. Chances of   omission and error can not be ruled out as, the list is being presented not strictly observing scientific parameters. In this part I shall be remembering some rare  trees which have disappeared completely or reduced to few in number.I would start with plants which disappeared from our home garden.

Roti Phal- It happened to be very interesting plant introduced by my uncle from some source unknown.The medium seized tree bearing large round Gourd like fruits was unique'.Reason for  calling it as Roti Phal is still not clear to me.It was actually a Calabash Tree of Caribbean island.

It is also found in countries like Bermuda,St Vincent ,Sri Lanka etc..
Some of these countries consider this plant is of great value. Mayan legend considers it as" Luch",a creation of God who,fathered the Mayan Royal family.While finding details about this plant I could know that the name Haitian currency "Gourde" has probably been named after it.This plant is found in southern states of our country.Calabash tree bears large round fruits directly on its trunk and branches.Its flowers depend on bats for pollination.An attempt to use calabash fruits as vegetable in our family failed and naturally one or two plants remained as show piece.No one explored about the Economic importance of this plant and ultimately we lost it.In fact,this plant is being extensively used for making musical instruments,Bowls,making papers for cigarettes etc..Scientific Name of this plant is
Crescentia cujute,Family-Bignoniaceae.

Cashew Nut Tree-We used to call it as Bhalai Aam locally.It was only plant available in our village.

 It was a tree with number of branches.As I remember the flowering used to take place during winter as in Mango and ripening of fruits in summer.Ripe fruits appeared as yellow pear shaped bearing hard bean shaped seeds terminally.In reality the fleshy,juicy yellow fruit like structure is the stalk bearing the bean shaped hard fruits.Initially the tree in our uncle's court yard was the only plant in the village but, later on a limited number of plant came up at other places also. The fate of these plant is not known to me.Scientific Name is Anacardium occidentalis,
Family-Anacardiaceae.



Bhala Or Bhallataka-Although this plant was not found in our village but it fruits had special attraction for us.Only few plants of this plant similar in many charecter to cashew plant were present in neighboring Adivasi village.Plants of this species are of Himalayan origin.These are trees bearing fruits similar to Cashew nut but,yellow fleshy stalk is round in shape bearing black ,oval or round hard fruits.Fleshy ripe fruits are sweet and edible fresh or after roasting.fruits are medicinal containing  corrosive oil.Its Scientific Name is Semercarpus anacardium Family-Anacardiaceae.

Ritha Phal-There were two large trees in the Hanuman Temple located at a corner near the High School.As I remember, one red colored stone image of God Hanuman was placed at the base of these trees.It is known about the person who planted these rare trees but,people used to collect fallen ripe fruits from around these trees.These were used for using as  shampoo those days.Scientific Name is
Sapindus mucurossi Family-Sapindaceae.

Rong Phal (Lipstick Tree)-It is another missing plant of our village.During our child hood days one or two plants were located in the abandoned house of Mr Ram Achari's family.One two medium seized branched trees could be seen from out side the house as we seldom ventured in to the house. natural dye yielding plant might have been grown for dyeing clothes but perished uncared. Plants produced light pink fragrant flowers and   developed in to pods or fruits.These were covered with bristles and used to turn red when ripe.Red pigments present on the seeds were used as dye.Scientific Name is Bixa orellana,Family-Bixaceae.

Koth Bel (Koeth Bel)-It happens to be a very common fruit available through out W.Bengal but, there was only one plant in our village and was of great attraction for school going children.Only tree was located near the Boys Primary school.Since it was a large tree with fruits located  at upper branches so, school going child used to aim at the fruits with very little success.Ripe fruits were having very hard thick cover and inside the edible pulp was sour in taste. This rare plant is now extinct.Scientific Name of this plant is:Limonia acidessimia Family-
Rutaceae.

Shivlingam Tree- Near the High School there happened to be the a garden of Kisto Babu with a number of rare plant species.During those days  it was
a restricted place.One of attraction was a beautiful flowering tree of Shivlingam or Cannon Ball tree.It happen to be a deciduous tree with branches spreading. Flowers were borne in clusters all through out the main trunk.around   one thousand flowers may bloom per day.Each flower happened to be of bright red in color with a group of stamen forming of hood of snake.Fruits happen to be very large cannon ball like structures..Scientific name of this plant is:Couropita guianensis,family-Lecythidaceae.

Kamranga-Like Koth Bel this is also commonly available fruit of West Bengal but there only one plant of this in our village and I have no information of other plant from the village.The rare plant was another rare possession of Kisto Babu's garden.The plant happened to be ever green tree of medium height.It bore clusters of oblong 5-6 angled fruits.Sour taste of fruits happens to be due to its oxalic acid.Its Scientific Name is:Averrhoa carambola Family-Oxalidaceae.

Kend or Kendu-Only a single tree of this was present in our village during our child hood and is still surviving in the back yard of Mr. Jagadish Achari's house. How only single plant of Kendu grew at this location though in some of the forests around.I may imagine that anti malarial property in bark and other medicinal properties in leaves and fruits might be the factor behind its growth. Yellow or orange colored fruits are delicious.Its Scientific Name is

Diospyros melanoxylon, Family-Ebanaceae.

Jilibi Phal-It is another wild fruit that attracted children of our time. The location of the plant close to both primary and High school was another attraction. There were few trees around .These were tall branched trees of considerable height.  

Branches remained covered with leaves. Fruits or pods were long spiral or coiled structures which turned red when ripe. In side the fruits contained white fleshy, sweet edible mass .   
                                                      Its Scientific Name is-
                                                     Pithecelobium dulce, Family-  
                                                      Fabaceae.  
I have included ten plants,mostly fruit trees except Shivlingam .These are all from my memory of those days.It is just an attempt to let all know about the interest for growing rare plants by our ancestors. In the next part I  shall include some more plants of special interest. 
" I remember my childhood names for grasses and scent of flowers.
   I remember where a toad live and what time the bird awaken in the
   summer- and what trees and seasons smelled like- how people looked
   and walked and smelled even. The memory of odors is very rich."
                                                        John Steinbeck.

REMEMBERING SOME PLANTS OF CHILDHOOD DAYS-PART III-Invasive Plants.

                           " A weed is a plant whose virtues have not been discovered "

                                                            -Ralph Waldo Emerson

       So far in the last two blogs I have mentioned about some plants from my childhood days memory

       which were useful plants. But, I can not forget to mention about few plants considered as useless,

       and obnoxious. Scientifically such plants are known as weeds.They often invade the locality and          dominate upon  other species  Such species become 'Invasive' for the locality. I remember that           a plant which appeared suddenly  in the area and grew rapidly was Kanak Dhutra, as locally
        named. A cutting of this plant was brought to the village considering it as an  ornamental but,
        it became invasive,obnoxious weed.In those days it was considered poisonous to both human
        animals. At present population of this plant is in decline. I would mention some of these of
        these invasive weed species in this blog.
   
        Kanak Dhutra-This is the first invasive plant species which comes to my memory of childhood.
         Suddenly this shrubby plant covered most of the non cultivable areas specially the road sides,
        around the margins of ponds and ditches.These ever green plants with beautiful white or pink
        flowers attracted all but,soon it became obnoxious and poisonous plants and we as child advised

to stay away from this plant. Efforts to eliminate this plant by cutting or uprooting proved unsuccessful .It was believed that the plant can grow in any surface.Scientific studies have revealed that 

like other weed species it has beneficial effects and can not be considered as obnoxious. This  plant originated from temperate North American region.Plants happen to be tall shrubs with cylindrical hollow stem. Broad leaves are heart shaped. These perennial plants 

produce clusters of flowers at the axils of leaves.Tubular,funnel 

shaped flowers are pink in colour.It has been found that consuming plant parts may cause paralytic effects in cattle.It has been found this plant can be used for making paper. The plant has medicinal 

values as sedative and anticonvulsant. Its chemical content has anticarcinogenic and cytotoxic

      properties. Scientific name-Ipomoea cornea sub sps.fistulosa, Family-Convolvulaceae.

    Putus-It is another invasive plant which persisted in large number   in different parts of the village.
    It is still persisting as, people consider it as less harmful plant..The thorny shrub produce dense tangle and cover the entire area over which the population grow.During those days a thick mass of .

 this plant was present around the Primary school.The pungent smell from these plant could be smelt from the class rooms specially, during rainy days.The plant happened to be a native of American tropics.it probably came to this area as an ornamental hedge plant.The fast rate of propagation and ability to survive under extreme condition helped to become an invasive plant. Plants happen to be perennial and can survive for more than two years.Angular stem being weak are climber like with visible glands in young condition at later stage become squarish covered with       spines  .Leaves are green and hairy with toothed margins . Flowers are produced in groups. These aromatic flowers are small tubular. These vary in colour ranging from yellow, orange red and white. This invasive and noxious species are mild poison for some herbivores. Fruits are small round berries which turn black when ripe. Attempts for control of this weed biologically remained unsuccessful. Some of the cultivars of Lantana are being widely cultivated as ornamental. This plant has number of uses. Dry stems of this plant are used as fuel used . Lantana leaves are  used in fever,flue,cold and cough. It has been found to provide relief in Rheumatism and joint pain.
Scientific Name of this plant is-Lantana camaca, family-Verbinaceae.

Water Hyacinth (Kochuripana)- This aquatic invasive plant was not present in the water reservoirs of our village but, appeared probably in the early sixties and occupied almost all water surfaces.

This South American plant was introduced in India as an ornamental plant.

but, it established very rapidly as an invasive aquatic weed. Rapid growth of  this plant with increase in biomass has helped to cover the water surface and interfering with the aquatic life present inside. Visible biological effect of this plant is drastic reduction in aquatic life underneath  due to change in the physio chemical characteristic and biological oxygen demand of water.
Considering its effect on aquatic lives it has been named as "Terror of Bengal". Growth of this plant has not only affected cultivation of fishes but also affected the water movement in irrigational canals by chocking and reducing water movement. Submerged delicate short stem of this plant bears fleshy green leaves .Green leaves have swollen base. These are borne in clusters. Beautiful showy flowers appear from the stem in groups. Generally these are violet or pink in colour. Long roots are produced from the stem. Although this plant has many harmful effects but, have a number of beneficial effects too. In Bengal dried plants are burnt and the ashes obtained are used as fertilizer. Its  phytotoxic property can be used for the control of some other weeds. Roots of this plant can absorb pollutants like Lead, Mercury and strontium thus, can be used in controlling water pollution. Scientific Name of this plant is-Eichhornia crassipes  
family-Pontederiaceae.

Parthenium Weed (Carrot Grass)-Parthenium or carrot grass is invasive weed which came to this area very recently. It has invaded the area probably through its seeds mixed with imported wheat.
Parthenium is a native plant of Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands. Rapid growth of this plant has helped it occupying places like road sides, waste lands and even agricultural lands. Phyto toxic chemicals produced by the plants have adversely affected   the associated plant species. Plants are annual herbs with branched green stem. Leaves are green having deeply divided margins. Fine hairs are present all over the plant.Numerous flower heads are produced in groups. Flowers are white in colour. Fruits or the achenes are small and hairy. Fruits are dispersed to distant places through parachute mechanism. Plants of Parthenium can cause skin disease on constant contact with human body. It may cause watery eyes, swelling of mouth and nose. Generally it is considered to be unpalatable to cattle but, recently I have noticed some affinity of goats towards this plant. Shortage of grazing fields due to growth of this weed has caused a serious problem. Although, this plant has no medicinal value. There is report regarding its use in fever,diarrhoea, neurological disorders, urinary track infection and in dysentery. Its scientific name
is-Parthenium hysterophorus  family-Asteraceae.

This blog mentions about only four plants which I found as invasive species. There may be more .One thing is clear that these species from different localities have ability to adapt new habitat quickly and to bully the native species to the point where they can not survive. Invasive species are often hardier, more demanding and ability to propagate at very fast rate. Being new to the habitat they have advantage of having no predators.Photographs plants included in the biog have been taken from web sources and are not author's own.
                 
       

  "  You can cut a tree down, and it grows back. Once a species goes, it's gone for ever."

       

   

         

  

       

             

SHYAM ACHARIA'S BLOG: REMEMBERING SOME PLANTS OF CHILDHOOD DAYS-PART-I

SHYAM ACHARIA'S BLOG: REMEMBERING SOME PLANTS OF CHILDHOOD DAYS-PART-I: Memories of childhood days are very special to all of us.We remember persons associated during those days and also some of the special eve...

REMEMBERING SOME PLANTS OF CHILDHOOD DAYS-PART-II

  

                                        " He plants trees to benefit another generation"
    I have mentioned about ten plants ,some of these happened to be very rare trees in my previous           blog. Our village happened to be a store house of many more rare plant species those days.Some of     these were of medicinal and some others were important for providing us fruits or play materials.
    These plants may not have disappeared totally but,becoming rare for the area.I would start with a
    rare herb of our home garden.

    Dumparasthram-I remember a cluster of herbaceous plants with luxurious growth growing near

the well..Presently this plant has disappeared from the location.These were Ginger like herbs with under ground rhizome.Above the ground short herbaceous stem contained number of long leaves.Aromatic rhizome had sweet taste.It used for cooking in Phillipines.African-Americans use it as folk medicine.In South India it is used as Ayurvedic medicine for control of Vat related problems,The plant is native of South India and the plant was introduced in our house from Tamil Nadu.Scientific name of        this plant is-Alpina galanga, Family-Zinziberaceae.

  .  Harjora-It happened to be very common plant growing in most of the home gardens of Iyengars         families. The plant happened to be very essential ingredient for South Indian Papad. Plant used to to be a ever green climber. The plant has quadrangular winged stem. The internode of the stem 8-10         cm. long with occasional tendrils from nodes. Apart from  its use in Papad it       has medicinal values for providing strength to the bones,against   intestinal worms and also in wound infection. Its Scientific Name  is- Cissus quadrungularis,family-Vitaceae  

Shir Amla-As I remember there was only one plant of this plant was available in our village. It was a medium seized tree located near Bus stand.The plant was deciduous, leafy and green. Male and  flowers are produced in clusters, Round pale yellow colored fruits 

colored fruits developed in clusters having sour in taste.                   .Apart from its food value , fruits are of medicinal values .             Scientific name-Phyllanthus acidus, Family-Phyllanthaceae.                         

Brihati-It was a very common household plant in Iyengar houses of the village.Considering extensive uses in South Indian vegetables and medicinal values, it was probably introduced from South India. Plants happened to be bushy shrub with branched stem. Grey hairy stem posses  

occasional spines. Flowers are small white in colour produced in bunches. Fruits are small berries which turn yellow when ripe.Unripe green fruits are edible. These are also preserved after drying and eaten after soaking in curds. Its uses in ayurvedic medicine as active ingredient for the cure of hyper acidity, cold and cough, skin diseases and leprosy are well known.Its Scientific name
is:Solanum torvum,family-Solanaceae.
Kauwa or Keo-(Crepe Ginger)- This plant as I remember was called as Kawa but it is actually called Keo in Bengali.As I

remember this plant was growing at the base of hill near our house and name Kawa Kuli to one of the "Para" of our village has been derived from the name of this plant.Plants were having large erect stem.Leaves were spirally arranged on the stem. Numerous white or light pink colored flowers were born in spike with red bracts at the base of each flower.It has importance in the preparation of medicine for fever, rashes,intestinal worms and also used for the treatment of kidney problems. Its scientific name is
Chelicostus  speciosus,family-Costaceae.

Kanch-Herbaceous climbers with bright shining red with partly black seeds were abundant in the hilly part of our house.Plants grow with support
from bushes or some trees The climber twine around and grow. Small flowers are produced in bunches.They produce pods with 2-3 round seeds. When ripe these pods split open exposing  round,shining red seeds.Seeds called Kanch is important for the traditional jewelers as unit
for weighing gold, Seeds are poisonous but roots are used in ayurvedic medicine for fever, cold and cough etc. Scientific name of this plant is : Abrus precatorius ,family-Fabaceae.

Latha or Latha Karanj-Round/oval shining grey seeds of this plant used to the material for play.Other happened to be Gorgot, 

which has also been included in this blog.During those days a number bushes of this plant were present in the waste lands of the
village.Plants happened to be shrubs of moderate height. Branches of the plants were covered with recurved prickles. Flowers were yellow in colour. Fruits glabrous covered with prickles. Each fruit contained one or two shining dark coloured seeds. For us during childhood seeds were only playing material but,has medicinal values. Leaves,roots etc.are used as tonic.Roots have been found useful in kidney and bladder stones.Bitter extract from seeds is used as Quinine against Malaria.Fat obtained from seeds is used in cosmetics. The scientific name of this plant is : Caesalpinia cristata, family-Caesalpiniaceae.

Gargot-It is another plant which  was very popular as playing material in
our childhood days. We used the bright colored seeds(fruits) as target material. We used to collect these seeds from paddy fields as these used to grow as wild weeds of  paddy. But,its cultivated varieties are grown in different countries.It is also popularly known Adlay Millet.Plants happened to be tall grass like herbs with sheathing leaves,Plants produced colored polished seeds with hard pseudo pericarp.These beadlike structures were white or black colored oval structures.These are used for making Rosaries,Neckless and some other articles.Some countries cultivate this plant for food.Its scientific name is : Coix lacryma-jobi var. lacryma jobi ,family-Poaceae.
Flame Lily(Glory Lily)-We used to call this beautiful plant as "Larhaiya"or a plant capable of

quarrel between neighbors. The climbers used to be found in the hill near our house. I remember that once the flower so attracted me that I climbed up the hill immediately to see it from a close distance. At present this plant has completely disappeared from this region.It is also an endangered species as per the forest department
record.The perennial climber grow from fleshy rhizome has a height of about 4-5 meters.lanceolate leaves have long tips drawn into tendrils. Large showy flowers are large with long wavy petals These are bright red to orange in color with bright yellow base.Parts of the plant specially the rhizome contains deadly poison for both man and animals. Traditionally the plant was used for the treatment of Grout, Arthritis, Infertility etc. . The plant contains a valuable alkaloid named Colchicine in high amount.Scientific name of this
plant is : Gloriosa superba,family-Colchicaceae.

Alkushi(Akolchi)-This climber used to grow in plenty on the waste land at the backyard of our house. It was also available on the similar habitats of the village. At time we only knew about the itching effects of hairs present on the surfaces of the fruits or pods, its medicinal values have been

discovered in recent times. Plants are climbers with trifoliate leaves which are grey in colour having silky under surface. Flowers are bluish pink produced in groups. Fruits are long 3to 4 seeded. These turn brown in colour with fine hairs all over. Seeds are bean like coloured. Seeds of this plant considered as poisonous but recent studies have shown that it contain chemical which can be used in case of Parkinson disease. It has also been found useful in controlling Cholesterol. Its Scientific Name is : Mucuna  purines family-Fabaceae.

Shiakul(Jackal Jujube)- Searching Shiakul bushes for black ripe berries happened to be interesting job during winter of childhood days. The job was difficult at this age as the bushes were thorny. Still the attraction was special.

 Plants happened to be thorny shrub.Some times appeared as woody climbers forming tangles.These were generally present on the hedges or at the margins of the paddy fields. Small green flowers were produced on the axils.They developed in to small round green berries with one large seed per fruit. Ripe berries turned black with sour taste. We had no knowledge about its medicinal values but,the plant has some medicinal properties. The plant produces a chemical called Ziziphines used as herbal medicines. Chewed leaves are used for dressing of wounds by tribal. It has use as mouth wash, in dysentery and in soar throat. Its scientific name Is:Zizyphus  oenoplia, family-Rahmnaceae.
Ankol- This is another plant which is still in my childhood memory. The plant was very common on the hill behind our house. We in the village used to call it as "Ankhra". We had very little  
  

knowledge about its economic importance during those days but now I find this plant as a valuable plant growing in Purulia and adjoining districts of West Bengal. Small bushy trees of this plant had few branches with dark green leaves forming dense canopy. Small white flowers were fragrant. Petals were typically curled backward exposing multiple stamens. It has number of medicinal uses roots and fruits are used for the treatment of Rheumatism and haemorhoids.It. It has been found effective in bites of rats, rabbits and dogs. Research has revealed the plant has anticancer, antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used for diabetes, epilepsy etc. Its scientific name is
Alangium  salvifolium,family-Cornaceae.
Curry Leaf Plant-

It is one of the two plant brought from South India by Iyengars Brahmins. This tropical medium seized tree happens to be very important ingredient of South Indian food preparations as the name "Kari" in Tamil means spices. The main trunk branches at regular intervals producing bushy appearance. Pinnately compound leaves arise from these branches. These are shining deep green in colour with pungent oduor.Leaves are used fresh or dried with vegetable and sauces in South India. It has been reported that pungent leaves and roots contain active ingredient effective as stimulant and also for the control of dysentery ,vomiting etc. It has use as analgesic and anti inflammatory agent. It has also use in piles and leukoderma. Its scientific name is: Murraya  koinigii family- Rutaceae. This plant has adapted well to the condition of our village and growing in abundance.


 Sandal Wood- This plant is a native of South India but now been successfully acclimatized to the
   to the climatic condition of the village.  There  happened to be a tree of this  plant in the garden near the High School and transmission and propagation to different places of the village took place through natural agencies like birds. Initially villagers were not aware about it propagation on many places even on the hills but, once it came to light indiscriminate cutting started. I do not know whether some measures for protection of this valuable plant have been taken or not. But I have seen few plants growing. Plants are tropical trees. These ever green trees can survive up to
100 years. Plants are root parasites. Various trees serve as hosts and the root
send haustoria for drawing nutrition without causing any harm to the host plant. It only depends for water and mineral nutrients on the hosts. It manufacture its own food .Further a plant may have multiple hosts. Being a slow growing plant the valuable heart wood part may be taken out after a long period. This part contains fragrant essential oil. It has various applications in the preparation of soap, cosmetics and also for medicinal purposes, Scientific name of this plant is: Santalum  album, family-Santalaceae.

In the present blog I have written about thirteen plants from the memory of childhood days. It is all based my personal observations and not to thrust up on my views on others.my sole objective  to make the future generation aware about the vegetation which our predecessors tried to develop and importance of conservation of existing plants. One must keep in mind that most of the plants growing around us in nature are of great importance. My memories about plants from childhood days have not exhausted and will present in the next blog.

" Endangered species are our friends " Yao Ming.