(India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan)
Introduction Nelumbo nucifera, commonly known as lotus or sacred lotus, is a rhizomatous aquatic perennial in the family Nelumbonaceae. It is one of the most recognizable aquatic flowering plants in the world, distinguished by its large emergent leaves, thermogenic flowers,…
Introduction Saffron (Crocus sativus), a sterile flowering geophyte in the iris family Iridaceae, produces the world’s most expensive spice by weight from hand-harvested stigmas. Its probable origin lies in the eastern Mediterranean or adjoining Southwest Asia, though exact wild ancestry…
Introduction Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) is a deciduous ornamental and multipurpose tree distinguished by its orchid-like flowers, a defining trait within the family Fabaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia, where it thrives in subtropical…
Introduction Dioscorea alata, commonly known as Purple Yam, is a tuber-forming vine in the family Dioscoreaceae, valued for its vividly pigmented storage organs. The species is widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions, with a probable origin in Southeast Asia…
INTRODUCTION Colocasia esculenta, widely known as taro, is a tropical root crop distinguished by its starchy underground corm, which serves as a major carbohydrate source across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. A member of the Araceae family, it is among…
Introduction Justicia adhatoda, commonly known as the Vasaka Plant, is one of the most important medicinal shrubs in the family Acanthaceae, recognised globally for its alkaloid-rich leaves, especially vasicine and vasicinone, which are pharmacologically significant in respiratory medicine. Native to…
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, commonly known as Elephant Foot Yam, is most remarkable for its massive underground corm, which serves as both a survival organ and a major food crop. It belongs to the family Araceae and is native to tropical South…
Introduction Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, known widely as kalmegh or Green Chiretta or king of bitters, belongs to the family Acanthaceae and is native to South and Southeast Asia. Its defining trait is an extraordinary concentration of andrographolide, a bicyclic…
Introduction Asparagus racemosus Willd., commonly known as shatavari, belongs to the family Asparagaceae and is native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Sri Lanka, the Himalayas, and tropical Africa. The species is most remarkable for its extensive tuberous root…
Introduction Dillenia indica L., commonly known as Chalta, Elephant Apple, or Indian Catmon, is one of the most visually arresting trees of tropical Asia. A member of the family Dilleniaceae, it produces fruits of extraordinary size — among the largest…