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. TheyContinue reading “Monsoon blooms in the hillside: Landour, Mussoorie”
Category Archives: biodiversity
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 theContinue reading “Verbascum thapsus or Common Mullein: A medicinally important plant of the hills”
Ganga Tulsi, Gangotri: homonym or different species?
Tulsi, an aromatic medicinal plant finds its special place in Hinduism. It is often said that the worship of lord Vishnu is incomplete without Tulsi. But the species of Tulsi used for worshipping the deity varies from place to place. Be it the famous Vrindavan, Badrinath or Gangotri, the variants of Tulsi vary altogether. MostlyContinue reading “Ganga Tulsi, Gangotri: homonym or different species?”
Katapatthar : obscure destination and nature trail
It’s the month of June and summer vacations have just begun. The monsoon season is about to begin and very soon the rivers and canals in Uttarakhand will be overflowing, so we planned for a short offbeat road trip towards the outskirts of Dehradun near a place called Katapatthar. It took us around two andContinue reading “Katapatthar : obscure destination and nature trail”
Forestry for kids: Saving Deodar and Oak forest from invasive vines
Vines and climbers are certain plant species which climb by tendrils or hooks or aerial roots or twining or creeps on the ground. Besides being ornamental, these vines are a component of the biodiversity and help sequester Carbon. But it is observed that few of the climbers, act as semi-parasites on the plants they clingContinue reading “Forestry for kids: Saving Deodar and Oak forest from invasive vines”
Forestry for kids: Tree Plantation for Mother’s Day
One of the most extraordinary relationship in the world is the relationship between the mother and her child. Mother’s are the basic foundation of our very existence and first teacher of our life. The unique relationship is priceless in terms of her unfathomable love, sacrifice and selfless dedication towards her child. Therefore Mother’s Day isContinue reading “Forestry for kids: Tree Plantation for Mother’s Day”
Parody of Indian Mock Strawberry : Potentilla indica
Few days back while I was travelling from Landour to Dehradun and came across Indian Mock Strawberry spread along the lush green hill slopes. Earlier this area was covered with little yellow flowers all over but now the flowers have disappeared and little false strawberries have spanned across. Initially they appeared as if someone hasContinue reading “Parody of Indian Mock Strawberry : Potentilla indica”
Miniature forest of liverworts and mosses: Landour, Mussoorie
The hillside of Landour is rich in diverse species of mosses and Liverworts. It is also home to a distinct liverwort species, Reboulia hemisphearica. It is also known as the Purple fringed liverwort or small mushroom headed liverwort one of the liverworts found in this part of the hillside. These liverworts appeared to me asContinue reading “Miniature forest of liverworts and mosses: Landour, Mussoorie”
Ecological indicators of season change (2): Ferns!!
With the onset of winters, the ferns have turned brown in the lesser Himalayas. The winter Himalayan breeze blowing through the mixed forests of Oak- Pine and Rhododendron signals the arrival of winters to the ferns, which grow alongside the moss laden tree barks and hillslopes of this quiet hillside of Landour, Mussoorie. With theContinue reading “Ecological indicators of season change (2): Ferns!!”
Ecological indicators of season change (1): Cobra Lily fruiting
The month of September has begun and the Cobra-lilies have started fruiting in the hillside of Landour, Mussoorie. The fruiting of the Cobra-lilies indicate culmination of rainy season and onset of the fall. This phenomenon is nature’s own way to signal changing season. The bright red coloured fruits can draw attention of anyone passing by.Continue reading “Ecological indicators of season change (1): Cobra Lily fruiting”
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