botany

New 'glass-like' orchid species discovered in Japan

Despite its presence in Japan's parks and gardens, it took researchers at Kobe University a decade to confirm that the plant was an unknown species

JNTBGRI researchers unravel the mystery behind the ‘shooting’ droplets from Theepacha

Rhododendrons carpet Darjeeling, Sikkim Himalayas

Shiv Sahay Singh

Demand up for commerce, management students as placements see uptick

And now, a GI tag adds more vibrancy to Rajasthan’s Sojat Mehndi

Priyadershini S

Dr. K.A. Sujana, Senior Scientist of Southern Regional Centre of Botanical Survey of India (BSI) who bagged the prestigious Y.S. Murty Memorial Gold Medal 2021

Scientist from Botanical Survey of India bags Y.S. Murthy medal

Botanical Survey of India’s collection of rare paintings, dyes, fabrics and type specimens to go public

Can the ayurvedic kamala fruit harness the power of the sun?

An illustration from ‘So Many Leaves’, written by Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli to spark interest in Nature among children

Learn about all sorts of leaves, from broad banana to thorny cacti

Saraswathy Nagarajan

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Now, BU to celebrate Botany Department’s centenary year

A view of the fallen tree in Assam’s Barpeta district.

Assam school mourns fallen shade tree

Special Correspondent

Dracaena cambodiana is an important medicinal plant as well as an ornamental tree.

India’s first dragon blood-oozing tree

Photos: AP, Special Arrangement

The Hindu Science Quiz Of immune cells and gas giants

A.S. Nazir Ahamed,Shubashree Desikan

The rose named E.K. Janaki Ammal. Photo: Special Arrangement

A glorious yellow bloom in honour of botanist E.K. Janaki Ammal

Liparis tschangii belongs to Orchidaceae family.

Ponkuzhi forests throw a surprise

Why gasp for breath: Environmental activists say the trees axed along New Natham Road for road widening can be transplanted on the various government properties on this road.

Wide road means more toxic fumes, less green cover

Karnataka : Bengaluru : 04/ 08 /2018 : Replica of Airforce base at the inauguration of the Independence Day Flower Show under the theam of floral tribute to the armed forces at Glass House, Lalbagh on 04, August 2018. Photo : V Sreenivasa Murthy

The allure of the flower

Harshini Vakkalanka

It’s sometimes difficult to tell myself what I am working on. I have worked on so many things: Kamaljit S. Bawa.

I felt like a child in a toy store in that forest: Kamaljit S. Bawa

The Hindu Science Quiz: Life of Pi and the son of Earth and Sky

A.S. Nazir Ahamed,Shubashree Desikan

Rich pickings: “The ideal time for collection,” exclaims Jean-François Messey, 62, head of a team of eight people on the slopes of the Regional Natural Park in the Vosges mountains in France. They are out harvesting Arnica montana , also known as wolf’s bane, which is a moderately toxic ethnobotanical European flowering plant in the sunflower family noted for its large yellow flower head. It is coveted by pharmaceutical laboratories across the world for its renowned anti-inflammatory properties and is the only species registered in the European pharmacopoeia. A leading laboratory in the U.S. has placed an order for 2.5 tons this year for use in preparations. The team hopes to collect between 5- 6 tons, collection of which usually begins in July. “In a good year, Arnica represents a third of my business volume,” says Messey, 62. A ton of flowers is worth about €10,000 . Up to 11 tons of flowers can be collected across 120 hectares. After harvesting, the bags are transported in a refrigerated truck to a pharmaceutical laboratory in the Lyon region where they undergo controls. Harvesters also have to exercise caution while picking the flowers as the oil-rich plant has toxins that can cause headaches and skin burns. Strict controls govern harvesting which is overseen by the rural police (green brigade). Each collector has to have a card issued by the authorities and if seen in restricted areas can lose his permit. Murielle Kasprzak

Pharma’s mountain gold

Kamaljit S. Bawa

Kamaljit Bawa first Indian to receive Linnean Medal

A treasure trove of flora

Millions of microscopic plants called phytoplankton colour the waters of the North Atlantic.

NASA to study how tiny sea creatures affect Earth’s climate

The sidelined goddess of Botany