With changing seasons in the hillside, the colour palette on the hill slopes also changes. It feels as if, with each changing season, nature changes its wardrobe. During the monsoons it is mostly pink, mauve, yellows and greens. While passing through the woods, I could see the graceful and tender Begonias have started blossoming. They bestow a pinkish hue on the hill slopes. The ferns already sprouted forming a lush green understory. The mosses have coated the tree barks, rocks and pavements, awaiting the mist and the clouds to embrace it. Mushrooms of different shapes, size and colour have also sprung up, they look like tiny buttons. Found this tiny little one peeping out of the decomposing wood on the hill slopes. Near perfect circular shadow it casted on the floor. There are wonderful shapes and forms in the nature around us. A few steps further, the hill slopes are covered by Purple Roscoe Lily. They belong to the ginger family. I came across this little butterfly, it seems like a common four-ring to me, I am not sure. One can easily hear the chirping sunbirds and woodpeckers. All are very busy completing their daily chores. I must also hurry home now to complete my chores. On my way back home I came across this beautiful scenic panorama. Thank you Like, share and follow. ? https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/ https://www.instagram.com/debichandrima/ https://www.sumanmitra.com/ https://youtube.com/channel/UCyOoeqazjkqGoGWkVMHxHbg ©All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2022 chandrimadebi https://chandrimadebi.com
Verbascum thapsus or Common Mullein: A medicinally important plant of the hills
No sooner the monsoon hits the dusty hill slopes of the hillside of Landour, Mussoorie. The tiny seeds of common Mullein germinate and peek through the picturesque landscape . Commonly known as Adam’s flannel, Beggar’s blanket and even the Candlewick plant, it is a riveting sight to see this enthralling plant species blooming in the wild. It also resembles a monkey tail and locally it’s known as ‘Bandarpuchre’ . The leaves appear to me as if I am touching Goat’s ear, soft and fluffy. I call it the Goat’s ear plant. One can come across Mullein growing along the roadside, agricultural lands and backyard at this altitude. The flowers are in full bloom these days. The blooming flowers spiral up the stalk emerge from the velvety rosette of leaves. Besides it’s occurrence in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand I found this plant growing in its natural habitat in the remote village of Mana near Badrinath and Gangotri also. According to old superstition it’s believed that witches used lamps and candles provided with wicks of Mullein in their incantations. Still in rural parts of Europe and Asia, Mullein is used to drive away evil spirits. Being a sure safeguard against evil spirits and magic, and from the ancient classics, it was this plant which Ullysess took to protect himself against the wiles of Circe. Verbascum thapsus (L.) is a biennial, perennial or, rarely, an annual with a deep tap root. In its first year it produces a low vegetative rosette up to 60 cm in diameter which overwinters and is followed in the succeeding growing season by a stout flowering stem 5-18 dm tall. V. thapsus is native to Europe and Asia (Semenza et al. 1978). Although the leaves and flowers can be foraged, the hairy leaves can sometimes cause irritation. Some say that the seeds are poisonous. The numerous tiny seeds lay dormant in the soil and sprouts when the favorable season arrives. Since ancient times V. thapsus has been used as an anodyne pectoral and remedy for coughs and diarrhoea. The leaves may provide some stimulatory effects when smoked. Mullein was recorded by Aristotle as a fish poison. It is often grown as an ornamental. A methanol extract from the plant has been effective against mosquito larvae (Gross and Werner, 1978). Mullein is currently found in neglected meadows and pasture lands, along fence rows and roadsides. It occurs in areas where the mean annual precipitation is 50 – 150 cm and the growing season is at least 140 days. Mullein is easily outcompeted in areas with a densely vegetated ground cover but readily grows in disturbed sites. Because of its low dispersal rate, the establishment of mullein in a particular site depends primarily on the presence of dormant seeds in the soils. It is an ephemeral plant which is eventually displaced by other plants in undisturbed sites. In Uttarakhand, the population of the target species is scattered. Natural products including medicinal plants have a great significance due to their wide range of therapeutic potential to treat a large number of ailments, Ecological ThreatOnce established it grows quickly to form a dense ground cover. It can overtake and displace native species. At the high densities, it appears to prevent establishment of native herbs and grasses following fires or other disturbances. Verbascum thapsus occurs in areas with an average annual precipitation of 20-60 in. (0.5-1.5 m) and a 140-day growing season. It prefers well-drained soils with pH 6.5 to 7.8. It prefers dry sandy soils but can grow in chalk and limestone. It can be found in neglected meadows, forest openings, pastures, fence rows, roadsides, and industrial areas. Verbascum thapsus has the ability to adapt to a variety of site conditions. It grows more vigorously than native herbs and shrubs. V. thapsus threatens natural meadows and forest openings. It is a prolific seed bearer with seeds remaining viable for long periods in the soil. Mullein has been used as an alternative medicine for centuries, and in many countries throughout the world, the value of Great Mullein as a proven medicinal herb is now backed by scientific evidence. Some valuable constituents contained in Mullein are Coumarin and Hesperidin, they exhibit many healing abilities. An infusion is taken internally in the treatment of a wide range of chest complaints and also to treat diarrhoea and bleeding of the lungs and bowels. Mullein oil is a very medicinal and valuable destroyer of disease germs. An infusion of the flowers in olive oil is used as earache drops, or as a local application in the treatment of piles and other mucous membrane inflammations. Thank you Like, share and follow. ? https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/ https://www.instagram.com/debichandrima/ https://www.sumanmitra.com/ ©All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2022 chandrimadebi https://chandrimadebi.com
Nature walk with kids: Forestry for kids
It’s monsoon in the hillside and life is bustling in the woods. The ferns which went dormant are budding, mosses and fungi mushrooming everywhere, insects are busy finding shelter, along with diverse rainy day bird visitors. I thought it was a great time to familiarise children with these minute nature’s theatricals. Moreover, the children are mostly inside classrooms taking lessons, so going out was a good idea. Children came across this mushroom, which bloomed out of an old tree stump. It seems like a Polyporus mushroom to me. But looking at its appearance, I really don’t want to check whether it is edible or not. Someone was really trying hard to crossover the mossy wall before it rains again. The snail with elongated shell uses its mucus and protruded eyes to travel long distances. They mostly hide underground in winters. The horse chestnut tree has started bearing fruits. It was laden with beautiful flowers before the summer break. I wonder who feeds on its fruits, I will be on the look out. A couple of Gray winged Blackbird are also on the lookout for food on the forest floor beneath the Horse Chestnut tree. How diligently it turns over each leaf litter and twigs to search insects. It seems that they might have made a nest somewhere nearby. The male Gray blackbird was eager and alert to protect its territory. The female gently made poise. We respected their territory and stepped back. Although we wanted to explore more, it started drizzling and time was a constraint, so we made our way back to the classroom, only to explore nature more in the coming days. Thank you Like, share and follow. ? https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/ https://www.instagram.com/debichandrima/ https://www.sumanmitra.com/ ©All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2022 chandrimadebi https://chandrimadebi.com
