Medicinal Plants and Ayurvedic Herbs

Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Pteridophyta Class: Marattiopsida Order: Marattiales Family: Marattiaceae Genus: Angiopteris Species: A. evecta Binomial name Angiopteris evecta A handsome gigantic fronded fern. Frond 2-7 m. long Bipinnate rachis swollen at the base.

Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Pteridophyta Class: Polypodiopsida Order: Schizaeales Family: Anemiaceae Genus: Anemia Species: Anemia rotundifolia Stipe hairy, frond with fertile and barren portions, pinnate, fertile portion panicled.

Alosphila Latebrosa Family – Cyntheaceae. Stipes armed with short or sharp elevated points. Fronds bipannate.

Classification of Adiantum Tenerum Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Pteridophyta Class: Pteridopsida Order: Polypodiales Family: Pteridaceae Genus: Adiantum Stipe about 30 cm. long, black, polished, naked except at the very base which is scaly. Fronds 30 – 90 cm. long, triangular, 3 - 4 pinnate.

Classificaion of Adiantum Peruvianum Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Pteridophyta Class: Pteridopsida Order: Pteridales Family: Adiantaceae Genus: Adiantum Species: A. peruvianum Binomial name Adiantum peruvianum Stipe strong, erect, black, polished, naked. Fronds simply pinnate or lower branches again pinnate or bipinnate.

classification of Caladium Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots Order: Alismatales Family: Araceae Subfamily: Aroideae Tribe: Caladieae Genus: Caladium A genus of tuberous-rooted plants, native of Brazil, leaves large arrow-headed rich-green, spotted and bloched with white, pink, rose and red. They are shade and shelter loving and are striking objects between May and October. Propagated by young offsets. Most of the varieties cultivated are hybrids of caladium bicolour Vent.

Begonia Trichocarpa Family – Begoniaceae A succulent, small, tuberous-rooted plant; bears handsome white flowers, 4-6 at the of the peduncle; wild in Konkan and Kanara. Worth cultivating in gardens.

Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Cucurbitales Family: Begoniaceae Genus: Begonia A succulent, small, tuberous rooted plant; bears a few handsome rosy flowers on elongate peduncles; wild in Konkan, Ghats and Lonawala. Worth cultivating in gardens.

Classification of Asparagus Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Asparagaceae Genus: Asparagus Species: A. racemosus Binomial name Asparagus racemosus Common Name – Shatavari Extremely scandent, spinous undershrub with tuberous root-stock; flowers white, fragrant in simple racemes. Wild in dry deciduous and monsoon forests in the state. Cultivated in gardens for its graceful feathery foliage and fragrant white flowers.

Classification of Anthurium Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots Order: Alismatales Family: Araceae Tribe: Anthurieae Genus: Anthurium It is a tropical American genus of more or less epiphytal growth, with hermaphrodite flowers, densely arranged on spadices, often with brilliantly coloured spathes. Leaves leathery, large, more or less heart shaped, with a strong stalk, curved at the apex and often of brilliand metallic hues, relieved by prominent ribs and veins. They are moisture and shade loving. They are handsome and form most striking features of green houses with their large ornamental leaves. Propagated easily by cuttings; also by seeds. There are a large number of species cultivated in the gardens.

Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots (unranked): Commelinids Order: Zingiberales Family: Zingiberaceae Subfamily: Alpinioideae Tribe: Alpinieae Genus: Alpinia Species: A. nutans Binomial name Alpinia nutans Common Names – Nag-damani, champa A very handsome tall plant, a native of the East Himalayas, Burma. Leaves long. Flowers in long panicles. Corolla white with a tinge of pink, the lip beautifully variegated with red and yellow. In blossom, generally, most of the year, thrives well in swampy ground. Propagated by division of rhizomes.

Classification of Alpinia Allughas Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots (unranked): Commelinids Order: Zingiberales Family: Zingiberaceae Subfamily: Alpinioideae Tribe: Alpinieae Genus: Alpinia Common Name: – Taraka A stout perennial herb with stout tuberous, aromatic roots, leaves lanceolate polished; flowers large, numerous in succession, of a beautiful rose-colour, inodorous. Flowering in the beginning of the rainy season. Propagated by division of rhizomatous roots; found in S. Konkan. Worth growing in gardens.

Classification of Agave Americana Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Agavaceae Genus: Agave Species: A. americana Binomial name Agave americana Common Names English : American Aloe; Marathi – Ghayapat A stout shrubby rhizomatous perennial plant, with very stout, commonly variegated thick, fleshy long leaves. Cultivated in gardens as an ornamental and mostly as a hedge plant. Propagated by suckers and bulbi

Achimenes Hirsuta Family – Gesneriaceae A small hairy plant; a native of Brazil. Flowers reddish, with yellow eye and spotted throat.

Classification of Achimenes Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Gesneriaceae Genus: Achimenes A genus of herbaceous, tuberous-rooted, showy flowering plants; flowering during the rains, flowers with mauve, white, purple, pale-blue shades; suitable for hanging pots and shady borders; propagated by tubers.

Classification of Nymphaea Stellata Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms Order: Nymphaeales Family: Nymphaeaceae Genus: Nymphaea Common Name – Uplya-kamal An aquatic herb with ovoid root-stock. Leaves orbicular, with a narrow sinus, often bloched with purple beneath; petioles long submerged; flowers rather large, usually pale-violet, light blue or purple, faintly fragrant. Cultivated in the state. Propagated by seeds or tubers.

classification of Nymphaea Pubescens Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms Order: Nymphaeales Family: Nymphaeaceae Genus: Nymphaea Species: N. pubescens Binomial name Nymphaea pubescens Common Names – Lotus, Lalkamal A large aquatic herb, root-stock tuberous. Leaves small orbicular or reniform, dentate; petioles very long submerged; flowers smaller, red, pale-rose or white, opening in the morning only. Flowers all the year. Cultivated in many places in the state. Propagated by seeds or tubers.

Classification of Nelumbo Nucifera Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots Order: Proteales Family: Nelumbonaceae Genus: Nelumbo Species: N. nucifera Binomial name Nelumbo nucifera Common Name: –Indian Sacred Lotus, Kamal A large aquatic hub with long, slender creeping stem rooting at the nodes. Leave 0.3-0.6m in diameter, orbicular, cupped, petioles very long; flowers solitary, large, white or rosy, with many petals. Flowers July. Cultivated in tanks in the State. Propagated by seeds or tubers

Limnanthemum indicum Family:Gentianaceae Common names: Kumud An aquatic floating herb with horizontal rhizome , with petiole like branches producing nodes , from which starts tuft of roots, a cluster of flowers, a single floating leaf orbicular and cordate. flowers white with a yellow centre. Flowers April-September. In tanks throughout the state. Propagated by rhizomes.

Classification of Eichhornia Crassipas Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots (unranked): Commelinids Order: Commelinales Family: Pontederiaceae Genus: Eichhornia Species: E. crassipes Binomial name Eichhornia crassipes Common Names :- Water Hyacinth, Lilae Devil. An upright south American floating herb. Leaves with large swollen petioles; leaves erect panicles of beautiful mauve or lilac flowers. Grown in garden tanks, for its flowers; a floating trouble-some Water-weed sometimes blocking rivers and water ways.

Classification of Zinnia Elegans Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Subfamily: Asteroideae Tribe: Heliantheae Genus: Zinnia A most beautiful annual with varieties bearing large, gay crimson, scarlet, straw – coloured flowers, froming quite a garden by themselves for a very long season. There is a double variety. Propagate by seeds.

Classification of Tropaeolum majus Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Rosids Order: Brassicales Family: Tropaeolaceae Genus: Tropaeolum Species: T. majus Binomial name Tropaeolum majus A beautiful and showy annual; leaves having a form of a buckler and the flowers resemble an empty helmet. There are many varieties. Some are dwarf, some are more or less climbing, producing flowers of various shades, pale straw - colour, orange, scarlet, dark crimson, spotted and striped. Propagated by seeds. A native of South America.

Classification of Tradescantia Discolor Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots (unranked): Commelinids Order: Commelinales Family: Commelinaceae Genus: Tradescantia Species: T. spathacea Binomial name Tradescantia spathacea A herbaceous plant; leaves large, upright , narrowly lanceolate, sheathed at the base , green above and purpole beneath; flowers blue or purple almost included within the bracts . It is a striking plant. Propogated by offsets.

Classification of Torenia Fournieri Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Scrophulariaceae Genus: Torenia Species: T. fournieri Binomial name Torenia fournieri An erect annual , native of Cochin –China. Flowers showy ,purple with broadly winged calyx.

Classification of Torenia Asiatica Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Scrophulariaceae Genus: Torenia A diffusely branched annual. Flowers 2 – lipped, bluish – purple with dark – violet lateral lobes. It makes a pretty basket plant in a moist conservatory. Propagated by cuttings. Tropical.

Telanthera Ficoidea Family – Amarantaceae. A small plant. Its leaves take a fine crimson colour from July to September. A favourite edging plant in the gardens. Native if Triopical America.

Classification of Tagetus Patula Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Tribe: Tageteae Genus: Tagetes Species: T. patula Binomial name Tagetes patula A smaller plant than the above with smaller flowers. Propagated by seeds.

Classifdication of Tagetus Erecta Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Tagetes Species: T. erecta Binomial name Tagetes erecta Common Names :- Marigold; Zendu; Makhamal. A small plant with erect stem and erect branches. Flowers, handsome, showy, yellow. There are many varieties some with flowers as large and as double as ordinary sized Dahlias. Flowers in Sept. – Nov.

Classification of Swertia Decussata Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Gentianales Family: Gentianaceae Genus: Swertia L. Common Name:- Kadu. An erect annual; stem densely leafy, more or less 4-Winged. Leaves broadly ovate, flowers very numerous, white with blue veins, in dense clusters. Flowers October – January. Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar, Panchagani.

Classification of Sesamum Indicum ( Til) Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Pedaliaceae Genus: Sesamum Species: S. indicum Binomial name Sesamum indicum Common Names:- Til. A pretty annual, bearing large tubular, while or rose coloured flowers . It deserves a place in the ornamental gardens, though it is cultivated on a large scale for its oily seeds. Flowers Aug. – Sept.

Classification of Saponaria Vaccaria Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Core eudicots Order: Caryophyllales Family: Caryophyllaceae Genus: Saponaria Common Names :- Sabani. A tall robust annual; flowers in corymbose dichotomous cymes, sepals with 5 broad green veins, petals, clawed, rosy. Flowers Feb. A weed of cultivation. Ornamental when grown in clumps and blossoming in great profusion.

Classification of Portulaca grandiflora Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Core eudicots Order: Caryophyllales Family: Portulacaceae Genus: Portulaca Species: P. grandiflora Binomial name Portulaca grandiflora A very low growing fleshy herb. There are many varieties both with single and double flowers, and also the brilliancey and variety of colours. Nothing is more beautiful as an overhanging for plant tubs. Propagated by seeds.

Petunia Violacea Family – Solanaceae. An annual of compact habit, with small purplish violet flowers. These two species are natives of Argentine, grown in gardens all over. They are the originals of the many double and brightly coloured garden forms which are in cultivation in gardens. Propagated by seeds , sets or layers.

Petunia Nyctaginiflora Family – Solanaceae. An annual of compact habit, with white flowers about 5 cm. in expansion, sweet-scented.

Paracarium Malabaricum Family – Boraginaceae. Common Name :- Kala-nisurdi. An erect branched herb, 0.3 – 1.0 m. high. Leaves radial and cauline; flowers small, uniform blue in many terminal racemes fonning a dense corymb. Flowers Oct. – Nov.

Classification of Oenothera Rosea Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Myrtales Family: Onagraceae Genus: Oenothera Species: O. rosea Binomial name Oenothera rosea A small pretty annual plant, a native of Mexico, is grown in gardens, especially on the hills, and thrives well at Mahabaleshwar. It is about 30 cm. high and has pink flowers with obovate petals.

Monsonia Senegalensis Family – Geraniaceae. A diffuse annual, clothed with glandular viscid hairs; leaves ovate, cordate; flowers showy pink with long penduncles. Flowers August. Throughout the dry districts of the State; hills near Poona.

Monsonia Senegalensis Family – Geraniaceae. A diffuse annual, clothed with glandular viscid hairs; leaves ovate, cordate; flowers showy pink with long penduncles. Flowers August. Throughout the dry districts of the State; hills near Poona.

Classifiation of Mentha arvensis Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Mentha Species: M. piperita Binomial name Mentha arvensis Common Names :- Pudina. A perennial erect herb. Leaves variable in shape, toothed; flowers lilac in whorls. Planted in gardens all over the State. Temperate regions.

Classification of Lobelia Trigona Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Campanulaceae Subfamily: Lobelioideae Genus: Lobelia L. Species Common Name :- Karkholi. A pretty more or less creeping small herb, with triangular stems and blue or violet coloured flowers. Flowers August – Oct. Wild at Neral, Mahabaleshwar, Panchagni, Londa.

Kalanchoe Glandulosa Flowers yellow in dense paniculate cymes. Kalanchoe Spathulata Flowers yellow in dense cymose panicles. Kalanchoe Floribunda Flowers yellow, numerous in flat – topped corymbose cymes. Kalanchoe Bhidei Whole plant of reddish color; flowers, pure white, numerous in cymose panicles.

Classification of Kalanchoe beharensis Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Core eudicots Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Genus: Kalanchoe Species: K. beharensis Binomial name Kalanchoe beharensis A genus of erect growing succulent herbs, growing up to 1-3 m. , leaves green or fleshy-orange, mostly very irregular in size and form. Useful for rockeries.

Isotoma Longiflora Family – Companulaceae. A small annual herb with long-stalked white flowers, a native of W. Indies. Grows very freely on moist rockerises in gardens. Propagated by seeds.

Impatiens Sultana Family – Balsaminaceae. An erect rather succulent herb, having bright scarlet flowers, with spreading petals. It is really a beautiful object in conservations, thriving among foliage plants and ferns.

Classification of Impatiens Pulcherrima Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Ericales Family: Balsaminaceae Genus: Impatiens Species An erect annual, about 60 cm. high flowers violet purple, spur long curved. Flowers Sept. – Oct. Wild in shady jungles in Konkan. A very handsome plant worth growing in gardens.

Classification of Impatiens Balsamina Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Ericales Family: Balsaminaceae Genus: Impatiens Species: I. balsamina Binomial name Impatiens balsamina Common Names. :- Marathi. Terada. An annual, 30-90 cm. high; leaves long, alternate, lanceolate. Flowers rose cloured, showy. There are varieties with double flowers and different shades of colour from pure white to crimson. The garden may be kept gay throughout the year on balsams only.

Helianthus Rigidus Family – Compositae. Common names:- English:- The small Sun-flower. An annual, a native of N.W. America. The flower heads have ray florets of deep golden colour and disk flowers dark chocolate. Propagated by seeds.

Classification of Helianthus Annus Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Subfamily: Helianthoideae Tribe: Heliantheae Genus: Helianthus Binomial name Helianthus annuus Common names:- English. Sunflower; Marathi. Suryaphul. A tall annual with large yellow flowers; very common in the gardens. Propagated by seeds.

Gynandropsis Speciosa Family – Capparidaceae. An elegant annual, 1 m. high, with large rosy flowers in terminal racemes, and digitate leaves with 7 leaflets. Grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. Propagated by seeds.

Classification of Gomphrena Globosa Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Core eudicots Order: Caryophyllales Family: Amaranthaceae Genus: Gomphrena Species: G. globosa Binomial name Gomphrena globosa Family – Amarantaceae. COM. NS.:- English. Globe amaranth. A tall branched annual with obovate-oblong leaves and large globose, yellowish-white or crimson heads of flowers, 2.5-4 cm. in diameter, with leafy bracts and pinkish purple bracteoles. Flowers in August-March.

Gerbera Jamiesoni Family – Compositae. An ornamental herb, a native of S. Africa, with flowers resembling Michelmas daisy, but orange-cloloured and deeply lobed rather large leaves. Propagated by seeds.

Classification of Gaillardia Pulchella Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Gaillardia Species: G. pulchella Binomial name Gaillardia pulchella A perennial tall herb. The ray flowers are crimson tipped with bright yellow. The ray and disk flowers develop into tubular funnel-shaped florets and form handsom flower heads. An improved form of this (G. lorenziana) is very handsome and unique in its appearance.

Exacum Tetragonum Family – Gentianaceae An elegant herb resembling E.Bicolor, but is distinguished by flowers with corolla lobes azure blue. Propagated by seeds.

Exacum Pumilum Family – Gentianaceae A very small herbaceous annual with tetragonal stem. Leaves lanceolate. Flowers in lax cymes, bluish-purple, with prominent yellow anthers. A beautiful herb. Flowers in August-September. Pretty common in grasslands during the rains in Konkan and S.M.Country. Worth growing in gardens. Propagated by seeds.

Exacum Bicolor Family – Gentianaceae Common Name – Maharastra:- Udichirayet An erect annual with quadrangular stem. Leaves very variable. Flowers showy in copious terminal cymes. The lower half of the corolla lobes white, the upper blue. Flowers in August-November; wild in pasture lands in Konkan, Mawal, Deccan, and S.M. Country; worth growing in gardens. Propagated by seeds.

Classification of Dianthus Chinensis Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Core eudicots Order: Caryophyllales Family: Caryophyllaceae Genus: Dianthus Species: D. chinensis Binomial name Dianthus chinensis Common Name – E. China-pink An annual herb with stems swollen at the nodes and sessile linear leaves, a beautiful cold weather plant. Flowers of many colours cultivated.

Classification of Carnation M.Karanphul Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Core eudicots Order: Caryophyllales Family: Caryophyllaceae Genus: Dianthus Species: D. caryophyllus Binomial name Dianthus caryophyllu

Delphinium Dasycaulon Family – Ranunculaceae Common Name – Ghat Larkspur A very handsome herbaceous plant, with bright blue flowers, in loose racemes. Flowers in August-September. Rather rare plant; found wild near Junnar, Purandhar, Sinhagad, Torna and other hills in the Poona district. Worth growing in the gardens.

Classification of Delphinium Ajacis Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Consolida Species: C. ajacis Binomial name Consolida ajacis Common Name – English:-Larkspur An annual with much divided alternate leaves and showy racemes of blue flowers. Propagated by seeds. Common in North Temperate regions.

Classification of Cyathocline Lyrata Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Cyathocline Cassini Type species Cyathocline lyrata A slender delicate annual herb. Stems branched; leaves pinnaticfied; flowers, rose-purple, in heads arranged in small rounded corymbose panicles. Flowers November-March; Usually met with on the banks of streams and in moist localities. Worth growing in gardens in moist regions. A native of India.

Cosmos Tenuifolins A slender leaved plant with its varieties is a charming annual for the rainy season.