Himalayan flora 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The borders of the Himalaya are not well defined. To the northwest, the Karakoram Mountains (which some authorities consider a part of the Himalaya, others do not) merge into the Hindu Kush and Pamir Mountains. To the north and northeast, several mountain chains in Ladakh, Tibet, and China are a continuation of the Himalaya proper.

As a result of the great span in altitude and precipitation – besides various other factors such as micro-climate and soil composition – flora and fauna of the Himalaya are indeed diverse. In these mountains, two bio-geographical regions meet, the Indo-Malayan Region, which includes most of the Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, southern China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and western Indonesia, eastwards to Borneo and Bali, and the Palaearctic Region, which includes Europe, northern Africa, and northern Asia, southwards to northern Arabia, Iran, the northern parts of the Himalaya, northern China, and Japan.

In most areas of the Himalaya, flora and fauna from the Indo-Malayan Region dominate, but in northern Pakistan, Kashmir, Ladakh, and far northern Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and Myanmar, at altitudes above c. 3,500 m, there is a large element of species from the Palaearctic Region.

The Himalaya is home to an overwhelming abundance of plant species. In Nepal alone, c. 6,500 species of seed plants have been found, and the number in the entire mountain range exceeds 10,000, of which about 4,000 are endemic to the area. To this number, add hundreds of species of ferns, clubmosses, mosses, and lichens.

When the monsoon has passed over the Himalaya from the south, almost all its humidity has already fallen as rain. Thus, the Tibetan Plateau north of the mountains receives very little rainfall. In many places, the annual mean precipitation is less than 100 mm, most of which falls as snow in the winter. For this reason, the major part of the landscape is dry and rather barren, with lush and green areas mainly found along rivers and around the numerous lakes of the region.

My experience with the rich and varied plant life at a number of Himalayan locations are related on the page Plant hunting in the Himalaya.

Because of the huge number of pictures, I present them on 3 separate pages:

1: Acanthaceae to Euphorbiaceae

2: Fabaceae to Primulaceae

3: Ranunculaceae to Zygophyllaceae, and ferns, lycopods, and lichens.

I am aware that lichens, strictly speaking, are not plants, but I include them anyway, as most people regard them as plants.

 

The websites wikipedia.org, Flora of China (efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2), Flora of Pakistan (efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=5), and powo.science.kew.org have also been of great value.

The vast majority of the information on usage of plants has been borrowed from Narayan Manandhar’s delightful book Plants and People of Nepal (Timber Press, 2002). My sincerest thanks to Mr. Manandhar. Tibetan Medicinal Plants, by T.J. Tsarong, published by Tibetan Medical Publications, India, 1994, has also been valuable.

Regarding the etymology, I have relied on the website Wiktionary, and on J. Corneliuson, Växternas namn. Vetenskapliga växtnamns etymologi. Språkligt ursprung och kulturell bakgrund, published by Wahlström & Widstrand, 1997 (in Swedish).

I am also indebted to my friend Ajai Saxena, who has provided more than two dozen pictures. Together, we have made several botanical trips in the Himalaya, sometimes accompanied by Ajai’s wife Madhu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On this page, Tibet (in Chinese Xizang), Qinghai, and Xinjiang are treated as separate areas. The term ‘western China’ indicates Chinese territories just east of Tibet and Qinghai. The term ‘south-western China’ encompasses the provinces Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan.

I would be grateful to receive information on any errors on this page, or if you are able to identify any of the species left unidentified. You may use this address: respectnature108@gmail.com.

 

 

A popular name of this family is bear’s breeches family. This strange name builds on a misunderstanding. A medieval Latin name of the plant, which Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), later named Acanthus mollis, was Acanthus sativus branca ursina (‘cultivated spiny (plant with) bear bracts’), alluding to the curved bracts of the inflorescence, which, to those who named the plant, apparently resembled a bear’s claws. Over time, branca was corrupted to breech, leading to the name bear’s breeches.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek a (‘without’) and systis (‘consistency’), referring to the radially symmetrical flowers of the genus, an uncommon trait in Acanthaceae.

 

It is common in shrubberies and waste areas, distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to Bhutan, at altitudes up to 2,100 m.

The specific name, derived from Proto-Indo-European makros (‘to increase’), and Ancient Greek karpos (‘fruit’), refers to the large fruit, a cylindrical capsule to 3.5 cm long.

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was named in honour of French Dominican monk and botanist Jacques Barrelier, Latinized into Jacobus Barrelierus (1606-1673), who spent several years in Spain and 23 years in Rome. The text to his work Hortus Mundi ou Orbis botanicus was destroyed by fire after his death, but his numerous drawings were preserved. French botanist and physician Antoine de Jussieu (1686-1758) published the drawings in 1714, titled Plantae per Galliam, Hispaniam et aliam observatae.

 

The leaves are short-stalked, dark green above and pale green below, elliptic or ovate, to 10 cm long and 4 cm wide, long-pointed, hairy along the veins. The flowers are in axillary or terminal clusters, calyx-lobes sharply pointed, corolla funnel-shaped, blue, violet, or pink, to 6.5 cm long, with rounded, spreading lobes, to 2.5 cm long. It has a long flowering period, from May to October.

This plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. In Tamil Nadu, South India, it is often strung into garlands, worn by women in their hair.

In Nepal, a paste of the leaves is applied to boils and pimples, and juice of the root is used for indigestion, juice of the leaves for bronchitis. In Thailand, the plant is utilized as a tonic, diuretic, and blood purifier.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘crested’. It may refer to the inflorescence, which, with a bit of imagination, resembles a cock’s crest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is from Ancient Greek diklis (‘folding doors’) and pteron (‘wing’), alluding to the winged capsule, which, at maturity, is opening into two symmetrical parts, exposing the seeds.

 

Its habitat is shady places in forests, shrubberies, and along trails, at altitudes between 500 and 2,000 m. It is distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to south-western China and thence southwards to Indochina.

The specific name means ‘like Bupleurum‘, members of the umbellifer family (Apiaceae), see below. To me, any similarity to these plants is very hard to see.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name was given in honour of Scottish horticulturalist Sir James Justice (1698-1763), whose works on gardening, The Scots Gardener and The British Gardener, were much used in Britain and Ireland.

 

The branches are sometimes 4-angled, downy when young, later smooth. The leaves are short-stalked, elliptic-lanceolate, entire, to 25 cm long and 7 cm wide, with prominent veins. The flowers are in compact terminal and axillary spikes to 7 cm long, with conspicuous overlapping bracts. The corolla is to 3 cm long, white with purple or red streaks and dots, 2-lipped, the upper lip down-curved, with 2 lobes, the lower lip with 3 large rounded lobes. The capsule is club-shaped, hairy, to 3 cm long. It flowers in the winter months, between December and April.

This plant is distributed from Afghanistan across the Indian Subcontinent to south-western China and Indochina, in the Himalaya found up to altitudes around 1,600 m, growing in shrubberies and waste places, and along roads.

It is toxic, and is therefore avoided by grazing animals, often forming extensive growths. It is sometimes planted as a goat-proof hedge around vegetable gardens. In Ayurvedic medicine it is widely used in treatment of cough, bronchitis, and asthma, and also for peptic ulcers and itchy skin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek floga (‘flame’) and anthos (‘flower’), referring to the colourful flowers of the genus.

 

It is found up to elevations around 1500 m, from Uttarakhand eastwards to Myanmar, growing in forests and on banks.

The flowers are eaten as a vegetable, but the taste is quite bitter. Medicinally, the plant is used for cough, colds, and asthma.

The specific name means ‘formed like a thyrse’, derived from Ancient Greek thyrsos, a wand wreathed in ivy and vine-leaves with a pine-cone at the top, carried by devotees of Dionysos, the wine god. The inflorescence resembles a pine cone.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek strobilos (‘cone’) and anthos (‘flower’), thus ‘cone-shaped flower’, introduced in 1826 by German-Dutch botanist Karl Ludwig von Blume (1796-1862), alluding to the appearance of the young inflorescence of a Javanese species, Strobilanthes cernua.

 

It is widespread in the Himalaya, from Pakistan eastwards to Myanmar, at elevations between 1,500 and 3,600 m. It is especially common in coniferous forests, flowering at intervals of often several years.

Juice of the plant is applied to wounds.

The specific name is derived from the Latin ater (‘dark’) and purpureus (‘purple’), alluding to the flower colour.

The obsolete specific name wallichii refers to Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854), who made a career as botanist in India. From 1808, he was employed as surgeon in the Danish settlement Frederiksnagore (today Serampore), near Calcutta (today Kolkata). However, due to the Danish alliance with Napoleon, many Danish colonies were seized by the British, who were enemies of Napoleon. When the British East India Company took over Frederiksnagore, Wallich was imprisoned, but was released in 1809 due to his scholarship. From 1814, he became an assistant surgeon in the East India Company.

Wallich was involved in the early development of the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta, serving there until 1846, when he retired from the service. He went on numerous expeditions, and also offered his assistance to many plant collectors, who made a stop in Calcutta on their way to the Himalaya. Wallich prepared a catalogue of more than 20,000 plant specimens, and he published two books, Tentamen Florae Nepalensis Illustratae and Plantae Asiaticae Rariores.

After his retirement he stayed in London, where he became vice-president of the Linnean Society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to central Nepal, at altitudes between 2,000 and 3,500 m, growing in forests, shrubberies, and grasslands.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘reduced’. What it refers to is not clear.

Formerly, this plant was called Strobilanthes alatus or Pteracanthus urticifolius, the name urticifolius referring to the nettle-like leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apparently this plant is restricted to central Nepal, growing in shrubberies at medium altitudes.

It was first collected in 1821 by Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854), who studied the Indian and Himalayan flora in the early 1800s (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above). Formal publication had to await the third volume of Wallich’s Plantae Asiaticae Rariores, from 1832, where it was described as a new species under the name Goldfussia nutans by German botanist Christian Nees von Esenbeck (1776-1858), the then expert on the Acanthaceae. (Source: Curtis’s Botanical Magazine 2014, 31 (2): 168-179, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘nodding’, referring to the pendent flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is common in forests and shrubberies at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,600 m, distributed in the major part of the Himalaya.

The specific name means ‘resembling Penstemon’, alluding to the likeness of the flowers of this species to those of the genus Penstemon, the beardtongues, which are native to North America. The name is derived from Ancient Greek penta (‘five’) and stemon (‘stamen’). The variety name was given in honour of Lady Dalhousie, wife of George Ramsay, the 9th Earl of Dalhousie, who was governor-general in India in the first half of the 1800s. Lady Dalhousie was an avid collector of plants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek akhyron (‘straw’, ‘chaff’) and anthos (‘flower’), referring to the prickly, chaff-like inflorescence. Popular names of these plants include prickly chaff-flower and devil’s horsewhip, likewise alluding to the flowers.

 

This plant has a very wide distribution, found in southern Europe, Africa, and warmer areas of Asia, eastwards to Taiwan. In the Himalaya, it is found up to elevations around 2,300 m, growing in open areas and waste places, and along roads and riverbanks.

The specific name is from the Latin asper (‘rough’ or ‘sharp’), alluding to the spiny bracts.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek a (‘not’, ‘without’) and maraino (‘to wither’), given in reference to the flowers, which last a very long time.

 

It is native to eastern North America, but has become widely naturalized worldwide in warmer areas. In the Himalaya, it may be observed up to elevations around 2,600 m, growing on open slopes, in waste areas, and along roads and trails.

 

 

 

 

 

Presumably, this plant is native to the neotropics, but has been introduced to most subtropical and tropical regions. It grows in waste areas and gardens, and along roads and trails, in the Himalaya occurring up to elevations around 3,200 m.

In Nepal, tender parts of the plant are cooked as a vegetable. It is also widely used in traditional medicine for a large number of ailments, including fever, diarrhoea, urinary trouble, stomach problems, gonorrhoea, boils, and eczema.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek bliton, the ancient name of the purple amaranth (Amaranthus blitum).

Formerly, these plants were placed in the goosefoot genus (Chenopodium). However, recent genetic research has shown that they are more closely related to spinach (Spinacia), which has caused them to be moved to a separate genus. (Source: S. Fuentes-Bazan et al. 2012: A novel phylogeny-based generic classification for Chenopodium sensu lato, and a tribal rearrangement of Chenopodioideae (Chenopodiaceae). Willdenowia 42:16-18)

 

The stem, which may be either white, green, yellowish, or red, is erect or ascending, many-branched, to 1 m tall. The leaves are fleshy, triangular or ovate, coarsely toothed, lower ones to 9 cm long and 3 cm broad, gradually smaller up the stem. Inflorescences are dense green spikes with tiny flowers, growing from the leaf axils. It flowers between May and August.

This species is widely distributed, growing in fallow fields and on open slopes, from central and southern Europe eastwards across the Middle East to Central Asia, with the eastern limit in Gansu, southwards to northern Africa, Iran, and the Himalaya, eastwards to central Nepal. In the Himalaya, it is found at elevations between 1,500 and 3,800 m. Due to its gorgeous fruits, it is widely cultivated elsewhere around the globe.

The specific name is derived from the Latin virga (‘staff’), presumably referring to the many straight stems of this plant. The popular name strawberry sticks was given in allusion to the bright red, edible berries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stout stem, with a diameter of up to 5 cm at the base, is green, reddish-green, or purplish. Leaves are long-stalked, dark green or bluish-green above, pale green below, triangular, rhombic, or ovate, to 20 cm long and 16 cm wide, often with farina on the underside, margin irregularly toothed and wavy. Younger leaves are much smaller, often lanceolate or ovate, magenta, reddish, or golden yellow. Inflorescences are terminal or axillary clusters of tiny, green flowers, mainly occurring between August and October.

A popular name of this plant is tree spinach, and young shoots and leaves are cooked like spinach. It is widely cultivated in the Himalaya and often escapes cultivation, growing in fields and waste areas, and along trails, up to elevations around 3,600 m.

The stout stems are used for making walking-sticks.

 

 

 

 

 

The fruit is a globular or ovate head, prickly in some species, and often remaining on the plant throughout the winter.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek kyathos, a small ladle, alluding to the flower shape.

 

This plant is distributed from Kashmir and southern Tibet eastwards to south-western China and northern Vietnam. In the Himalaya, it is found at altitudes between 1,300 and 3,000 m, growing in shrubberies and open areas.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘forming a head’, alluding to the shape of the inflorescence.

 

 

 

 

 

This species occurs at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,400 m, growing in shrubberies and open areas. It is distributed from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to south-western China.

Juice of the root is taken for constipation, fever, and peptic ulcer. The squeezed root is used for washing clothes, and it is strewn in streams to stupefy fish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from AncientGreek halo (‘saline’) and xylon (‘tree’), referring to the fact that these plants often grow in saline habitats.

 

It has whitish or blue-green branches, and pink or pinkish-white flowers in the leaf axils, petals ovate, to 1.5 mm long. Flowering takes place July-August. The fruit is winged, white, pinkish, or yellowish, to 8 mm across.

The specific name honours British physician and botanist William Griffith (1810-1845), who spent most of his adult life in India and Myanmar. After a brief stay in Madras, he was assigned as a surgeon to Tenasserim, Myanmar. During the following years, he explored various parts of Myanmar, Sikkim, and the region around Shimla, north-western Himalaya. Subsequently, he was appointed as surgeon in Malacca, where he died of a parasitic liver disease, only 35 years old.

The subspecific name refers to the Wakhan Corridor in eastern Afghanistan. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The inflorescence of these plants is very distinctive, consisting of a compact globular umbel on an unbranched stem. Initially, the umbel is enclosed in a papery spathe, which splits into lobes, when the stalked flowers unfold.

The generic name is the old Latin name of garlic (A. sativum), which is described on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

At one time, these plants were placed in the family Alliaceae, which is now regarded as a subfamily, Allioideae, of Amaryllidaceae.

 

It grows on dry, stony slopes at altitudes between 3,000 and 5,100 m, from Pakistan eastwards to western Nepal, and also in Central Asia.

Fresh leaves are edible, and dried leaves are used as a flavouring agent. The plant also has medicinal value, as it is used to expel intestinal worms.

The specific name presumably refers to one of the numerous kings bearing the name Charles, in German Karl, and in the Latinized form Carolus.

 

 

 

 

 

In the Himalaya, this species is restricted to open, stony, dry Tibetan borderlands, found from Pakistan eastwards to western Nepal, and is also widespread in Central Asia, at altitudes between 2,700 and 5,000 m.

The leaves are edible.

The specific name may be derived from Spanish orear, ultimately from the Latin aura (‘air’, ‘breeze’), and Proto-Indo-European prasum (‘leek’), thus ‘the airy leek’. It is a graceful plant!

 

 

 

 

 

It is easily identified by its large umbel, to 7 cm across, the red or purple (rarely white) flowers, with lanceolate to elliptic, blunt, long-stalked petals, to 1 cm long and 2 mm broad, and the flat, keeled leaves, which are to 2 cm broad. The flowering stems are to 90 cm tall.

The leaves are edible, and the bulbs are used for diarrhoea, cough, and colds.

This plant was named in honour of Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854), who studied the Indian and Himalayan flora in the early 1800s (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Zephyrus, the Greek God of the West Wind, who re-awakened nature every spring, and anthos (‘flower’).

 

Leaves are several, linear, keel-shaped, to 30 cm long and 8 mm wide, and the flower stalk is about as long as the leaves, purple just below the solitary, terminal flower, tube whitish, to 2.5 cm long, lobes obovate, pink or rose-coloured, to 6 cm long, tip rounded or pointed, stamens yellow, thread-like, style white, slender, stigma 3-lobed. Flowering takes place during summer and autumn.

The specific name is derived from the Latin carina (‘keel’), alluding to the shape of the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

The family name is derived from Ancient Greek ana (‘upwards’) and kardia (‘heart’), alluding to the heart of the fruit (the ‘nut’) of the cashew nut, which is outwardly located.

 

Rhus is the Ancient Greek name of sumac, which is derived from Ancient Syriac summaq (‘red’), referring to the red fruits of the genus. They have an acrid taste and are used as a spice in the Middle East. In North America, the fruits of staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) are soaked in cold water to make ‘pink lemonade’, a refreshing beverage, rich in vitamin C.

 

The leaves are very large, to 40 cm long, pinnate, with 5-13 toothed leaflets, to 12 cm long and 5 cm wide. The inflorescence is also very large, to 30 cm long, consisting of countless tiny yellowish-green flowers, to 3 mm across, which occur August-September. The fruit is a globular drupe, to 5 mm in diameter, turning reddish-brown at maturity.

Tannins are extracted from galls of this species, popularly called Chinese galls, which are also widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for a variety of ailments, including cough, diarrhoea, dysentery, and intestinal bleeding. The fruit is edible when cooked. It has an acid flavour.

 

 

 

 

 

The genus is named in honour of Paul B. Sears (1891-1990), who was head of the Yale School of Botany.

 

This plant is widespread in the Indian Subcontinent, eastwards to Myanmar. In the Himalaya, it is found in forests at elevations between 700 and 1,100 m, from Uttarakhand eastwards to Bhutan.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘small-flowered’. Some authorities place this species in the genus Toxicodendron, the poison sumacs.

 

 

 

 

 

The inflorescence of this family is unique. In almost all species, the flowers are arranged in terminal umbels, which may be simple, usually with bracts at the base, and each of the stalks, the so-called primary rays, ending in a flower. More commonly, the umbel is compound, consisting of a number of primary rays, each ending in a secondary umbel. Each of these umbels usually has small bracts, bracteoles, at the base, and a number of secondary rays, each ending in a flower. Usually, the secondary umbels together form a flat-topped inflorescence, mostly with white, yellow, pink, or purple flowers, rarely blue or bright red. The flowers have five petals and stamens. This also accounts for the sepals, if they are present. They are usually missing, however.

The family name is derived from the name of honey bees, genus Apis, referring to the fact that many plants of the family are much visited by bees and other nectar-sucking insects, in particular hovering flies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek bous (‘ox’) and pleuron (‘rib’), alluding to the shape of the roots. The name hare’s-ear refers to B. rotundifolium, some of whose leaves are shaped as a hare’s ears, whereas thoroughwax is a corruption of a German name of these plants, Durchwachs (‘growing through’), alluding to the stem of some species, which appears to grow through the leaves.

The roots of several species of hare’s-ear are an important ingredient in the traditional Chinese medicine chai hu, utilized for a huge number of ailments, including respiratory problems, dizziness, menstrual irregularity, cough, fever, and influenza. The name literally means ‘kindling of the barbarians’. Presumably, some Chinese observed the ‘barbarians’ using dried hare’s-ear stems as kindling.

 

It grows in forests and on open grassy slopes, at altitudes between 2,400 and 4,000 m, from Pakistan eastwards to south-eastern Tibet.

The specific name honours Swiss botanist Augustin Pyrame de Candolle (1778-1841), who created a new natural plant classification system.

 

 

 

 

 

It occurs in humid areas of the Tibetan Plateau, such as meadows and along streams, from Pakistan eastwards to south-western China, at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,300 m.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘very slender’. What it refers to is not clear.

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to south-western China, at altitudes between 1,000 and 4,400 m, growing in forests and grassy areas, and on open slopes.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘long-stemmed’.

 

 

 

 

 

It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, open slopes, grasslands, river banks, and roadsides. It is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to south-western China, found at altitudes between 700 and 4,000 m.

Previously, this species was regarded as a variety of the Eurasian sickle-leaved hare’s-ear (B. falcatum).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name probably derives from the Sanskrit karavi, which became karon in Ancient Greek, but mainly used for the related cumin (Cuminum cyminum). In Latin, karon became carum, over time changed to mean caraway. This name was used in England as early as 1440, or earlier, derived from the Arabic name of the plant, al-karawya.

 

This plant is distributed from Europe and North Africa eastwards to Central Asia, western China, and the north-western parts of the Himalaya, eastwards to Nepal. In the Himalaya, it grows in grasslands and on open slopes, at elevations between 2,000 and 4,300 m.

Caraway was mentioned as a medicinal plant by Greek physician, pharmacologist, and botanist Pedanius Dioscorides (died 90 A.D.), author of De Materia Medica, five volumes dealing with herbal medicine. The aromatic fruits contain a volatile oil, utilized as a carminative. They are also widely used in desserts, liquors, bread, puddings, and other food, and as a fragrant component in soaps, lotions, and perfumes.

The specific name probably derives from the Sanskrit karavi, explained under the genus above.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name was given in honour of Italian Jesuit priest and naturalist Bonaventura Corti (1729-1813), who was the first to discover motion of molecules in plant cells.

 

This species is restricted to meadows in drier areas, from Pakistan eastwards to Bhutan, at altitudes between 3,600 and 4,800 m.

In Nepal, tender parts are cooked as a vegetable, and the fruit is used as a substitute for cumin (Cuminum cyminum). Juice of the root is taken for fever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fruit of these plants is characteristic, strongly compressed and ribbed, the lateral ribs with a broad wing. Inside the fruit are club-shaped resin canals, clearly visible against the light.

The generic name is a Latinized version of the classical Greek name of a southern European plant, which was utilized in traditional Greek medicine. It was called panakes herakleion, meaning something like ‘the universal healing herb of Herakles’. It was thought that the immensely strong mythological hero Herakles (in Latin Hercules) discovered the medicinal properties of this plant. The generic name was applied in 1753 by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), undoubtedly referring to the profuse growth of many of these plants, likened to the strength of Herakles.

The common name hogweed refers to the former usage of some species as pig feed, whereas cow-parsnip, used from about 1548, presumably alludes to some species being eaten by cattle.

 

It grows in a variety of habitats in drier areas, including forest margins, shrubberies, meadows, grassy slopes, and river banks, distributed from Pakistan eastwards to south-western China, at altitudes between 1,800 and 4,800 m.

The specific name is derived from the Latin candicare (‘to be whitish’), referring to the white-felted underside of the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in shrubberies and forests, on grassy slopes, and along roads and trails, but in much wetter habitats, found from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to south-western China, at altitudes between 1,800 and 4,000 m. Flowering takes place June-September.

In Nepal, juice of the root is taken for diarrhoea, and roasted fruits are chewed to treat cough, diarrhoea, and dysentery. Powdered fruits are used as spice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This species is distributed in arid country along stony river banks, on scree, steppe, and open slopes, from Pakistan eastwards to Himachal Pradesh, at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,500 m. It is common in Ladakh.

In Ladakh, the plant is cut for fodder, and juice of the root is used for wounds, inflammation, fever, haemorrhage, and abdominal cramps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in shrubberies and on open slopes in humid areas, distributed from central Nepal eastwards to Bhutan, at altitudes between 3,600 and 4,100 m.

In folk medicine, the root is utilized as an aphrodisiac and as a tonic.

The specific name honours Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854), who studied the Indian and Himalayan flora in the early 1800s (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above).

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek pleuron (‘ribbed’) and sperma (‘seed’), alluding to the winged fruits of the genus.

 

It is found in humid areas, growing in shrubberies and alpine pastures, and along river banks, from central Nepal eastwards to south-western China, at elevations between 2,200 and 4,300 m.

The specific name was given in honour of English botanist George Bentham (1800-1884), who is best known for his taxonomic classification of plants, in collaboration with British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911) (see Rhododendron dalhousiae). Their work, published as Genera Plantarum (1862-1883), served as a foundation for modern plant taxonomy. Bentham became president of the Linnaean Society in 1861, and a fellow of the Royal Society in 1862.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plants is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to Uttarakhand, growing on open, rocky slopes in dry areas, at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,800 m.

The specific name was given in honour of British surgeon and botanist George Govan (1787-1865), superintendent of the Botanical Garden of Saharanpur, northern India. He often corresponded with the famous Danish botanist and physician Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854), the foremost authority on Indian and Himalayan flora in the early 1800s (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above).

 

 

 

 

 

This plant grows in more humid areas than the previous species, found in open pastures and meadows, and along river banks. It is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to south-western China, at altitudes between 2,700 and 5,400 m.

In Nepal, the seeds are used as a spice, and also pickled. Juice of the root is taken for dyspepsia, rheumatism, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, and skin problems.

The specific name honours British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911), who described numerous new plant species in the eastern Himalaya (see Rhododendron dalhousiae).

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is a Latinized version of selinon, the classical Greek name of celery (Apium graveolens).

 

It grows to 1.5 m tall, with large leaves to 25 cm long and 20 cm wide, which are divided 3-5 times into very fine segments. Primary rays are numerous, up to 30, bracts linear, to 10 cm long, but sometimes absent. The umbels are to 10 cm across, with linear, white-margined bracteoles, to 2 cm long, flowers to 2 mm across, white, appearing July-September.

In Nepal, the seeds are utilized as a spice, and tender parts are cooked as a vegetable. A paste of the root is used for fever and pain.

This species was named in honour of Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854), who studied the Indian and Himalayan flora in the early 1800s (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The family name is derived from Ancient Greek apo (‘away’) and kyon (‘dog’), alluding to the toxic dogbane (Cionura erecta), which was formerly utilized to poison dogs.

A large number of genera in this family formerly constituted the milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae), which is today regarded as a subfamily, Asclepiadoideae, of the dogbane family. Many members of this subfamily are remarkable for the complex mechanisms they have developed for pollination. Some species group their pollen into pollinia, similar to orchids. The foul-smelling flowers of some genera attract flies, which pollinate the flowers. The flowers of some genera have 5 cup-like structures, called the corona. The cups are filled with nectar, which attracts insects.

 

The generic name was given in honour of Scottish botanist Charles Alston (1683-1760), keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh 1716-1760.

 

According to Kew Gardens, this plant is restricted to Nepal, Bhutan, and northern Bangladesh. Other sources, including eflora of China, claim that it has a far wider distribution, from India and Sri Lanka eastwards to southern China, and thence through Indochina to Indonesia. In the Himalaya, it is found from eastern Nepal eastwards to Bhutan, at elevations up to 1,000 m, growing in shrubberies and among rocks.

Medicinally, leaves and roots are used to cure abscesses.

The specific name refers to the similarity of the leaves to those of oleander (Nerium oleander).

 

 

 

 

 

Flowers of this genus have 5 cup-like structures, called the corona. The cups are filled with nectar, which attracts insects. An amusing description of the peculiar pollination method of the genus is found on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

The genus was described in 1753 by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-78), the name alluding to Asclepius, the Greek god of healing.

 

It is native to Tropical America, but is widely cultivated and has become naturalized in numerous tropical and subtropical areas. In Australia, it is regarded as an unwanted weed in some areas. In the Himalaya, it grows in shrubberies and open areas may, up to altitudes around 1,500 m.

According to Kew Bulletin (1897), it has insecticidal properties, being especially obnoxious to fleas. Infected rooms are thoroughly swept with brooms, made from this plant, supposedly causing the pests to disappear.

The specific name is derived from Curaçao, a Caribbean island, where the type specimen was collected.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name was given in honour of a British noblewoman, Diana Beaumont (c. 1776-1831), daughter of Sir Thomas Wentworth, the 5th Baronet.

 

A woody climber, to 20 m long, with elliptic leaves to 30 cm long and 15 cm wide, smooth, with 8-20 pairs of lateral veins. The large flowers are arranged in long, terminal clusters, to 25 cm across, with up to 20 white, cream-coloured, or pale yellow flowers with a pale green base, tube funnel-shaped, to 13 cm long and 10 cm across, with large rounded lobes, to 4 cm long. Flowering occurs April-June.

Root and leaves are used medicinally in the treatment of fractures, injury, and rheumatism. Coarse ropes are made from fibres of young branches.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘large-flowered’.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek keros (‘wax’) and pege (‘fountain’). It was applied in 1753 by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), to whom the inflorescence apparently resembled a fountain of wax. These plants have many common names, including parasol flower, bushman’s pipe, and string of hearts.

The flowers are unique, having a tubular corolla with five petals, which are usually fused at the tips, forming a cage-like structure. This is an adaption for pollination by flies, which are momentarily trapped in this ‘cage’. In their effort to escape, they move about inside the flower, thus pollinating it.

 

It is found at elevations between 900 and 3,200 m, from central Nepal eastwards to south-western China, growing in forests and shrubberies.

In Nepal, juice of the bark is applied to skin problems and wounds.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘downy’.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek konos (‘cone’ or ‘funnel’) and morphe (‘form’ or ‘shape’), referring to the shape of the corolla.

 

It is distributed from the Indian Subcontinent eastwards to southern China, and thence southwards through Indochina and the Philippines to Indonesia, growing in forests and shrubberies. In the Himalaya, it is found from Uttarakhand eastwards to Myanmar, at elevations up to 1,800 m.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek kryptos (‘hidden’ or ‘concealed’) and lepis (‘scale’), alluding to the lobes of the corona (a crown-like appendage inside the corolla), which are scale-like and deeply hidden inside the flower.

 

The smooth and shining leaves are short-stalked, oblong or elliptic, to 18 cm long and 7.5 cm wide, base broadly wedge-shaped, tip rounded or acute, underside whitish. The pale yellow flowers are arranged in axillary clusters, shorter than the leaves, corolla tube about 2 mm long, petals linear-lanceolate, to 7 mm long and 2 mm wide. Blooming occurs from March to August.

This plant is widely used in traditional medicine, used for a variety of ailments, including loss of appetite, fever, and skin diseases, including leprosy. It is regarded as a good blood purifier.

The specific name presumably refers to John Buchanan (1819-1898), a Scottish botanist and scientific illustrator, whose work appeared in a wide range of scientific publications. In 1851, he emigrated to New Zealand, where he prepared illustrations for the first 18 volumes of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek kyon (‘dog’) and ancho (‘to strangle’), alluding to the toxicity of some species.

 

It is quite common in shrubberies, found at altitudes between 1,800 and 3,700 m, from Pakistan eastwards to Bhutan and south-western China.

In Chinese, it has a very peculiar name, 牛皮消 (niu pi xiao, which translates as ‘leather eater’, probably alluding to its great toxicity. Nevertheless, young fruits are cooked as a vegetable in parts of Nepal. Presumably, the toxicity disappears during the cooking.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘eared’. What it refers to is not clear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was named in honour of Irish orientalist, linguist, numismatist, and plant collector William Marsden (1754-1836), whose works include The history of Sumatra: containing an account of the government, laws, customs and manners of the native inhabitants, with a description of the natural productions, and a relation of the ancient political state of that island (1784), Grammar and Dictionary of the Malay Language (1812), and Travels of Marco Polo (translated from the Italian by Marsden, 1818).

 

It grows in forests and shrubberies, distributed from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to Bhutan at altitudes between 2,100 and 2,700 m.

In Nepal, the stems are utilized as fences.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘bright’ or ‘shining’, alluding to the shiny leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

It occurs from Pakistan eastwards to Myanmar, growing in forests and shrubberies at elevations between 900 and 2,400 m.

In Nepal, juice of the stem is used in treatment of gastric troubles and peptic ulcers. A silky-white, strong fibre is obtained from the stems, used for making ropes.

The specific name was given in honour of British surgeon and naturalist John Forbes Royle (1798-1858), who is chiefly known for his works Illustrations of the Botany and other branches of Natural History of the Himalayan Mountains, and Flora of Cashmere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek trakhelos (‘neck’) and sperma (‘seed’), thus ‘neck-like seed’. What it refers to is not clear.

 

It is an evergreen climber, sometimes several metres long, with milky latex. Leaves opposite, elliptic or lanceolate, to 15 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, long-pointed, smooth and shining above, paler beneath, nerves very conspicuous. Leaf-stalk to 8 mm long, hairy, with axillary glands. Flowers in 3-branched clusters, short-stalked, calyx short, bright green, corolla tube to 1 cm long, greenish, with a hairy throat, lobes white, narrow, spreading, linear or wedge-shaped, to 1 cm long. Flowering takes place April-July.

In Nepal, juice of root is given to treat fever. Stems are sometimes used for binding.

The specific name is derived from the Latin lucidus (‘bright’ or ‘shining’), alluding to the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name honours Scottish physician and botanist William Wright (1735-1819), who spent several years on Jamaica. In 1783, he was a joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 1796, he joined a 2-year-long expedition, led by Sir Ralph Abercromby (1734-1801), exploring the Caribbean.

 

It grows in forests and shrubberies, distributed from India and Sri Lanka eastwards to southern China, Indochina, and the Malayan Peninsula. In the Himalaya, it occurs up to elevations around 1,500 m.

The bark is utilized medicinally for kidney problems, and bark and root are regarded as an antidote against snake bites and scorpion stings. An indigo-coloured dye can be obtained from seeds, root, and leaves. The wood is light, soft and fine-textured, suitable for carving and turnery, and it is also used to make pencils, wooden shoes, and packaging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Ancient Rome, ilex was the name of the holm oak (Quercus ilex). In 1753, Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) adopted this name as the generic name of hollies, probably due to the similarity of the leaves of the common holly (Ilex aquifolium) to those of the holm oak. The ancient name of holly was acrifolium, from Proto-Italic akris (‘sharp’) and the Latin folium (‘leaf’), which was later changed into aquifolium.

 

It grows in forests and shrubberies, distributed from Pakistan eastwards to Myanmar and western China at elevations between 1,500 and 3,400 m.

In Nepal, ripe fruits are eaten raw, and the wood is utilized as fuel.

The specific name is derived from Proto-Indo-European dwis (‘two’) and Ancient Greek pyren (‘stony fruit’), alluding to the fact that each fruit usually contains 2 nuts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek arisamos (‘conspicuous’, ‘distinguished’), naturally alluding to the spectacular appearance of these plants. In some species, spathe and spadix have a thread-like tip, which is sometimes up to 1 m long. The berries are bright red.

A common name of the genus is Jack-in-the-pulpit. To some people, the flower resembles a person in a pulpit: ‘Jack’ is the flowering club, and the ‘pulpit’ is the spathe. Another name is cobra plant, referring to the cobra-like spathe on some species. The Nepalese name of the genus is sarpa ko makai (‘snake maize’), likewise alluding to the cobra-like spathe, and to the cluster of fruits, which resembles a maize cob.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in forests and shrubberies, distributed from Uttarakhand and southern Tibet eastwards to northern China, and thence southwards to Taiwan and Indochina. In the Himalaya, it is found at elevations between 1,600 and 3,000 m.

In Nepal, the leaves are eaten as a vegetable, and the rhizome is used medicinally to treat stroke and paralysis, and to expel phlegm.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘with blood’, which may refer to the red fruits.

 

 

 

 

 

It is restricted to central and eastern Nepal, where it is common in forests and shrubberies, at altitudes from 1,900 to 2,800 m.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘ribbed’, alluding to the conspicuous veins on the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in forests and shrubberies at altitudes from 1,900 to 2,600 m, from central Nepal eastwards to Myanmar.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘reddening’, alluding to the reddish-brown streaks on stalks and spathe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed in dry, desert-like areas, from Yemen eastwards to Central Asia. In the Himalaya, it is found from Pakistan eastwards to Bhutan, at altitudes between 1,700 and 4,500 m.

Locally, the young leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘yellow’, referring to the yellow spathe.

Pehr Forsskål (1732-1763) was an outstanding Swedish naturalist, who participated in the Royal Danish Expedition to Arabia (1761-1767). During this expedition, he described hundreds of new species, plants as well as animals. In Yemen, he described this species, naming it Arum flavum. His fascinating, albeit short, life is described on the page People: Pehr Forsskål – brilliant Swedish scientist.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in forests from central Nepal eastwards to Myanmar, at altitudes between 2,400 and 3,000 m.

The specific name honours British physician and botanist William Griffith (1810-1845), who spent most of his adult life in India and Myanmar. After a brief stay in Madras, he was assigned as a surgeon to Tenasserim, Myanmar. During the following years, he explored various parts of Myanmar, Sikkim, and the region around Shimla, north-western Himalaya. Subsequently, he was appointed as surgeon in Malacca, where he died of a parasitic liver disease, only 35 years old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in forests at altitudes between 2,100 and 3,000 m, from Kashmir eastwards to Sikkim.

 

 

 

 

 

It is found in forests and on open slopes in drier areas, from Afghanistan eastwards to south-eastern Tibet, at elevations between 2,300 and 4,000 m.

The leaves are dried and fermented to make gundruk (see below), and the corms are cooked like potatoes.

The specific name honours French botanist and geologist Venceslas Victor Jacquemont (1801-1832), who explored several areas in India, including Ladakh. He died of cholera in Bombay (today Mumbai), only 31 years old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in forests and shrubberies at altitudes between 2,000 and 3,300 m, from central Nepal eastwards to south-western China.

The specific name refers to its similarity to pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It occurs in forests and shrubberies at altitudes between 2,400 and 4,000 m, from Kashmir eastwards to south-eastern Tibet.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘resembling’. What it refers to is not clear.

 

 

 

 

 

This species is widespread and very common in the Himalaya, found in forests and shrubberies, from Pakistan eastwards to south-western China, at elevations between 1,300 and 3,000 m.

Locally, ripe fruits are cooked for food, and the corm and fresh fruit are used as an insecticide. In Pakistan, an extract of the rhizome is utilized to expel intestinal worms in cattle.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘twisting’, presumably alluding to the spadix.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The spathe is to 15 cm long including tube, dark purple with white ribs near the base. The margin is netted with transparent veins, and the apex is notched, with a pointed tip, to 3 cm long. The purple spadix appendage is whip-like, to 22 cm long. The single leaf is trifoliate, with red-margined leaflets, to 25 cm long and 18 cm broad. It flowers from May to July.

This species is much utilized for making gundruk (see below), a fact reflected in the specific name, which means ‘useful’ in the Latin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two methods are utilized to make gundruk. One is to wash the leaves and leave them to dry for a day, after which the last juice is beaten out of them. They are then stuffed firmly into a container, which is tightly closed, making it airtight. About a week later, the fermented leaves are taken out and left to dry in the sun, after which they are stored in a dry place for later use. Another method is to boil the leaves for a short time and then stuff them tightly in a container. After a short period of time, the juice is removed and boiling water added. The leaves are then left to ferment for 4-5 days, before being dried in the sun. (Source: Manandhar, N.P. 2002. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press)

Gundruk can be kept for about a year. The fermented leaves emit a characteristic fragrance, and they have a unique, strong, and lovely taste – at least in my opinion.

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was named in honour of French sinologist Jean-Pierre Abel-Rémusat (1788-1832), who is best known as the first professor of sinology at the Collège de France.

 

The spathe has a short, green tube, to 2 cm long, which is constricted, where it meets the yellow, slender, very long, vertical blade, to 21 cm long. The tip of the purple spadix is exposed in the mouth of the spathe. The spathe-tube is persisting, enclosing the yellow berries. The leaves are ovate to heart-shaped, pointed, to 15 cm long and 10 cm broad, dark green to purplish above, purple beneath, pale green along veins on both sides. Flowering occurs June-August.

In Nepal, young leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘dwarf’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek rhaphis (‘needle’) and phoros (‘bearing’), referring to the trichosclereids – sharp, needle-like cells in the tissue, which serve the purpose of protecting the plant from grazing herbivores.

 

The stem is thick, green, yellow, or brown, to 20 m long and 5 cm in diameter. The leaves are numerous, large, broadly ovate, glossy green, to 70 cm long and 50 cm wide, pinnately divided, with 8-15 pairs of lobes. The spathe is pale yellow, to 20 cm long including tube, 12 cm across. The spadix is shorter, grey-green, cylindrical. Flowering takes place May-August. The white, greenish-white, or yellow berries mature one year after flowering.

Stem and leaves are used medicinally for a number of ailments, including fractures, swellings, lumbago, snake bites, colds, cough, and bronchitis.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘running down’, presumably referring to the climbing habit of the plant.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is confusing. In Greek, sauros means ‘lizard’, whereas matum is either from mattues (‘delicious’), or from maten (‘of no use’), thus the direct opposite meaning. According to J. Corneliuson, Växternas namn. Vetenskapliga växtnamns etymologi, the latter meaning is probably the correct one, as the plant is foul-smelling, thus ‘of no use to lizards’. The author, Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854) (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above), did not give any explanation of this strange name.

 

It may grow to 20 cm tall. As the specific name implies, it has very diverse leaves. Usually there is only a single leaf, to 15 cm long and 10 cm wide, arrow-shaped, spear-shaped, heart-shaped, entire, or divided. Outside, the spathe is usually green, but sometimes with purple stripes or spot (as in the picture below), inside dark purple, or green with purple stripes, to 20 cm long including tube, tip long-pointed. The spadix is cylindrical, either purple or yellowish, to 12 cm long, protruding from the spathe. Flowering takes place June-July.

In Nepal, young leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is of unknown origin.

 

It is a woody climber, or sometimes a small tree to 15 m tall, The leaves are compound, with 3-5 large, toothed leaflets, to 15 cm long. The inflorescence is large, branched, to 40 cm across, consisting of clusters of umbels, each to 4 cm in diameter, flowers white, to 5 mm across. Flowering takes place May-July.

The specific name honours French botanist and ornithologist Jean-Baptiste Leschenault de la Tour (1773-1826), who was chief botanist on Nicolas Baudin’s expedition to Australia 1800-1803.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is composed of the genus name Brassaia, and Ancient Greek opsis (‘appearance’), thus ‘resembling Brassaia’, a group of plants in the same family, which are now included in the very large genus Heptapleurum.

 

The trunk has numerous spines. The leaves are highly characteristic, large, to 60 cm across, palmate, rounded in outline, with 7-12 lobes, which are constricted near the base. The leaf-stalk is very long, to 60 cm. The inflorescence is a panicle, to 50 cm long, consisting of umbels, each about 5 cm across, petals to 3 mm long cream-coloured. It flowers from May to July.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘mild’, perhaps alluding to the leaf-stalks having no spines.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the classical Latin term for ivy.

 

It is distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to south-western China, found at elevations between 1,800 and 3,200 m.

In Nepal, the foliage is lopped for fodder, and a decoction of the plant is used for skin problems.

 

 

 

 

 

These plants were previously placed in the family Apiaceae, but, following generic research, they have been moved to Araliaceae.

 

It is distributed from western Nepal eastwards to northern Indochina and central China. It grows in moist places, often along streams, in the Himalaya occurring at elevations between 600 and 3,600 m.

In Nepal, juice of this species is given in cases of fever and cough, and is also applied to boils.

Some authorities regard this plant as a subspecies of the widespread H. javanica.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek pan (‘all’) and akos (‘to cure’), applied by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) in allusion to the usage of this genus in traditional Chinese medicine. The name ginseng is a corruption of the Chinese word 人參 (ren shen), meaning ‘man-root’, referring to the root, which resembles a human torso with two legs (see photo on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry).

 

It grows in forests from central Nepal eastwards to south-western China, and also in Thailand, found at altitudes between 2,100 and 4,300 m.

Himalayan ginseng is widely used in traditional medicine for a large number of ailments, including nosebleed, intestinal bleeding, stroke, dizziness, and sore throat. The Naga people of north-eastern India take a powder made from the dried root orally to treat heart problems, diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, and ulcers, and also as an aphrodisiac. They also eat the leaves as a vegetable.

The specific name presumably alludes to the inferior quality of this plant, compared to the true ginseng.

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was named in honour of the family Treves de Bonfigli, of Padua, Italy, who supported botanical research in the 18th Century.

 

This species occurs in forests and shrubberies, from central Nepal and Bangladesh eastwards to southern China, and in Indochina. In the Himalaya, it is growing at altitudes from 250 to 2,500 m.

It is often cultivated as an ornamental, the foliage is lopped for fodder, and flower buds are cooked as a vegetable. Locally, it is utilized in traditional medicine.

 

 

 

 

 

The compound leaves, in most species growing fan-like from the top of the plant, are often very large and decorative. Numerous pictures, depicting palm leaves, may be seen on the page Nature: Nature’s patterns.

The type species of the family is the betel palm (Areca catechu), whose name is derived from a local South Indian name of this species, either from the Tamil areec, or from the Malayalam atekka.

 

The generic name is derived from phoinikos, the classical Greek word for the cultivated date palm (P. dactylifera), used by Greek scholar and botanist Theophrastos (c. 371-287 B.C.), and also by Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder (23-79 A.D.). It may refer to the Phoenicians, or to Phoenix, son of Amyntor and Cleobule in Homer’s Iliad, or to the phoenix, the sacred bird of Ancient Egypt. (Source: U. Quattrocchi 2000. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names)

 

This species is found in the entire Indian Subcontinent and in Myanmar. In the Himalaya, it is distributed from Himachal Predesh eastwards to western Nepal, growing on rocky slopes and in open areas, up to altitudes around 1,500 m.

A sweet juice, which is obtained from the top of the trunk, is taken as a beverage, and sugar is also made from it. Mats and baskets are produced from the leaves.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘growing in woods’, derived from silva (‘forest’) – not an appropriate name, as it mostly occurs in open areas.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek trakhys (‘rough’) and karpos (‘fruit’).

 

This plant grows on open slopes. It has two separate populations, one in the Lower Marsyangdi Valley, central Nepal, and one in the Khasia Hills, Meghalaya, north-eastern India. Reputed occurrence in Assam, Sikkim, Myanmar, and southern China has not been confirmed.

In the Khasi Hills, a traditional head cover is made from the leaves.

The species was named in honour of German botanist and explorer Karl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (1794-1868). In 1817, the king of Bavaria, Maximilian I Josef, sent von Martius and Johann Baptist von Spix on an expedition to Brazil, where they travelled up the Amazon River to Tabatinga, and they also explored some of its larger tributaries. On his return to Europe in 1820, von Martius was appointed keeper of the botanical garden in Munich.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek aristos (‘best’) and locheia (‘childbirth’), alluding to the ancient belief that these plants were an effective remedy against infections caused by childbirth. The English name birthwort also refers to this usage, as well as their usage to induce abortion. The names pipevine and Dutchman’s pipe refer to the flower shape of many species, which resembles an old-fashioned tobacco pipe.

 

It is distributed from central Nepal eastwards to Myanmar and the Yunnan Province, growing at elevations between 1,800 and 2,900 m.

The specific name honours British physician and botanist William Griffith (1810-1845), who spent most of his adult life in India and Myanmar. After a brief stay in Madras, he was assigned as a surgeon to Tenasserim, Myanmar. During the following years, he explored various parts of Myanmar, Sikkim, and the region around Shimla, north-western Himalaya. Subsequently, he was appointed as surgeon in Malacca, where he died of a parasitic liver disease, only 35 years old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five of these genera are Chlorophytum, Maianthemum, Ophiopogon, Polygonatum, and Theropogon, all presented below. Originally, these plants were all members of the huge lily family (Liliaceae), but Chlorophytum was since moved to the family Anthericaceae, and later to the agave family (Agavaceae), which is now treated as a subfamily, Agavoideae, of the asparagus family. The remaining four genera were formerly members of the Solomon’s-seal family (Convallariaceae), but were then transferred to the lily-of-the-valley family (Ruscaceae), which is today regarded as a subfamily, Nolinoideae, of the asparagus family.

 

The generic name means ‘pale green plant’, derived from Ancient Greek khloros (‘pale green’) and phyton (‘plant’).

 

It is quite common among rocks, on open slopes, and at forest-edges, growing at elevations between 1,400 and 3,000 m, from central Nepal eastwards to south-western China.

Young leaves are locally cooked as a vegetable, and the root is used medicinally for gout.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the Latin Maia (‘May’) and Ancient Greek anthemon (‘flower’), referring to a European species, M. bifolium, which blooms in May.

 

It grows in forests, distributed from eastern Nepal eastwards to Myanmar and south-western China, at elevations between 2,100 and 4,200 m.

The specific name is derived from the Latin holus (‘vegetable’) and aceus (‘resembling’), presumably referring to the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

A rather common plant in forests at altitudes between 2,400 and 4,200 m, occurring from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to Myanmar and south-western China.

In Nepal, young parts of this plant are eaten as a vegetable.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek ophis (‘snake’) and pogon (‘beard’), presumably referring to the grass-like appearance of these plants.

 

This species grows in shady forests and shrubberies, found at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 m, from Afghanistan and the Indian Subcontinent eastwards to eastern China and Indochina.

Theropogon pallidus (below) is very similar, but its flowers are long-stalked, densely clustered at the tip of the stem, and the petals are rarely spreading out fan-like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek polys (‘many’) and gonos (‘knee’), alluding to the rhizome, which has several joints. The common name is a translation of the Medieval Latin name of these plants, sigillum Solomonis, alluding to grooves on the rhizome, which, to those who named it, apparently resembled royal seals. Another interpretation is that the cut root has marks, which resemble Hebrew characters.

 

It grows in forests and shrubberies at altitudes between 1,500 and 4,600 m, from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to Myanmar and south-western China. It is prominent in Upper Langtang Valley, central Nepal.

In Nepal, the rhizome is used as a tonic. Young plants are picked and dried, to be cooked as a vegetable in winter, when cultivated vegetables are scarce.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek kirrhos (‘orange’ or ‘tawny’) and the Latin folium (‘leaf’). The connection is hard to see, but the type specimen may have had tawny leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to Myanmar and south-western China, growing in shrubberies and open areas, at elevations between 2,900 and 5,000 m.

The specific name honours British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911), who described numerous new plant species in the eastern Himalaya (see Rhododendron dalhousiae).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is widely distributed in forests and shrubberies, from Europe eastwards to Central Asia. In the Himalaya, it is found at elevations between 1,500 and 4,700 m, from Pakistan eastwards to Myanmar.

Young shoots are edible when cooked. In Nepal, a paste of the root is given to dogs as a health tonic.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘whorled’, referring to the arrangement of the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to Bhutan and the Yunnan Province at elevations between 1,800 and 3,500 m, growing on rocks or forest slopes, sometimes epiphytic. It is prominent in the central part of the Langtang Valley, central Nepal.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek theros (‘summer’) and pogos (‘beard’), alluding to the flowering time and tufted habit of this plant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The inflorescence consists of many individual flowers, called florets, which are grouped densely together to form a flower-like structure, the flowerhead, technically called the capitulum. The flowerhead is surrounded by an involucre, consisting of densely packed green bracts, often erroneously called a calyx. The central disc florets are symmetric, and the corolla is fused into a tube. The outer ray florets are asymmetric, the corolla having one large lobe, which is often erroneously called a petal. In some species, ray florets, or sometimes disk florets, are absent. About 112 genera occur in the Himalaya.

 

English herbalist John Gerard (c. 1545-1612) informs us that during the Trojan War the Greek hero Achilles used yarrow to stop bleeding on wounded soldiers. Hence, the name Achillea was applied to the genus by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778).

 

The stem sometimes grows to 90 cm tall, but is usually much lower, leaves greyish-green, very finely dissected, aromatic, to 10 cm long. Flowerheads are numerous, sometimes up to 50, borne in a flat or slightly domed cluster to 30 cm across, each flowerhead to 8 mm across, ray florets white, much larger than the tiny yellowish or cream-coloured disc florets. Flowering takes place August-October.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘thousand-leaved’, referring to the many fine segments of the leaves. The popular name milfoil is a corruption of the Latin name, and the name thousand-weed also refers to the leaves. In parts of south-western United States, it is called plumajillo (Spanish for ‘little feather’), likewise alluding to the leaves. The name yarrow is a corruption of gearwe, an ancient Anglo-Saxon name for the plant.

The medicinal usage of this species is described on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry. In the Himalaya, it is utilized for menstrual cramps, colic, fever, and infections, and as a diuretic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek a (‘without’) and geras (‘old age’), alluding to the fact that these plants flower for a long period of time.

 

A soft-haired plant, which may grow to 90 cm tall, but is mostly much lower. The leaves are lanceolate to ovate, to 8 cm long, with rounded teeth along the margin. Flowerheads are bluish or white, to 6 mm across, in flat or domed clusters, terminal or axillary, without ray florets. Flowering occurs April-October.

Locally, the plant is used for epilepsy, and as an insect repellent. Dried powder of it is applied to wounds, a paste of the leaves to boils, a paste of the root to disrupted bones, and juice of the flowers for rheumatism and scabies. Squeezed leaves are used against head lice.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘resembling Conyza‘, a large genus of composites, known as horseweed, butterweed, or fleabane. They are closely related to the genus Erigeron (below).

Bluemink (A. houstonianum) is also commonly naturalized in the Himalaya. It is very similar to goat-weed, but may be identified by its sticky-hairy involucral bracts, which are glabrous or sparsely hairy in goat-weed. A picture, depicting this species, is shown on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name honours British surgeon Sir Whitelaw Ainslie (1767-1837), author of Materia Indica (1826).

 

It is distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to Bhutan, growing in forests and shrubberies, at altitudes from 1,200 to 3,600 m.

The specific name means ‘wingless’ in Ancient Greek, alluding to the leaf stalk, which is not winged, as opposed to other members of the genus.

A. latifolia is similar, but the leaves have broadly winged stalks, and flowers and leaves occur simultaneously in spring. It is quite common in the Himalaya at elevations between 1,500 and 3,500 m, and is also found in China, Indochina, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sumatra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was erected in 1955 by Russian botanist Petr Petrovich Poljakov (1902-1974), published in Botanicheskie Materialy Gerbariia Botanicheskogo Instituta imeni V. L. Komarova Akademii Nauk SSSR. It is named for the Russian harbour city Ayan, on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

 

It can be identified by its tiny yellow flowerheads, only 3-4 mm in diameter. The stem is to 60 cm tall, and leaves and flowers are fragrant. An essential oil is extracted from them. It flowers between July and September.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘slender’, alluding to the stems.

Some authorities call this plant Ajania fruticulosa. However, according to Flora of China, this name is reserved for a species, which grows further north in Central Asia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows on stony or sandy slopes at altitudes between 3,600 and 4,800 m, distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to Bhutan and western China.

The specific name is derived from the Latin nubes (‘cloud’) and genus (‘born of’), alluding to the plant growing at high altitudes.

 

 

 

 

 

It is found on dry stony slopes at altitudes between 3,900 and 5,400 m, from Kazakhstan and Tibet southwards to Pakistan, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh, eastwards to the Sichuan Province.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek ana, which, in this connection, means ‘exceedingly’, and phalos (‘white’), referring to the white bracts of the flowerheads. The name pearly everlasting stems from the specific name of a Eurasian species, A. margaritacea, from Ancient Greek margarites (‘pearl’), likewise alluding to the pearly-white bracts.

 

It grows in open places and shrubberies at altitudes between 1,800 and 3,600 m, distributed from Pakistan eastwards to Bhutan and south-western China.

The flowers are brought as offerings at Hindu and Buddhist shrines. In Nepal, juice of the plant is applied to wounds.

In the Sino-Tibetan language of the Garo people of the Garo Hills, Assam, busua means ‘to cough’. It is possible that this people used the plant against cough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stem is erect, to 60 cm tall, with alternate lanceolate leaves, to 12 cm long and 2 cm wide, bright green above, greyish- or cinnamon-woolly beneath. Flowerheads are in dense terminal clusters, to 15 cm across, each flowerhead to 8 mm across, disc florets yellow, bracts white. Flowering takes place August-November.

The specific name is explained above, see genus.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows on open slopes, in rocky areas, and along streams at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,500 m, from Pakistan eastwards across the southern part of the Tibetan Plateau to south-western China.

The specific name is derived from the Latin nubes (‘cloud’) and genus (‘born of’), alluding to the plant growing at high altitudes.

 

 

 

 

 

It is very common in open areas and at forest margins, distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to Bhutan, at elevations between 1,800 and 3,300 m.

Flowers are brought as offerings in Hindu and Buddhist shrines. In Nepal, a paste of the flowers is applied to wounds.

 

 

 

 

 

It is restricted to dry open areas at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,000 m, from Xinjiang and western Tibet southwards to Iran, Pakistan, Ladakh, and northern Nepal.

 

 

 

 

 

The genus is named for Artemis, the Greek goddess of wilderness and wild animals, hunting, childbirth and virginity, protector of young girls, and also bringer and reliever of disease in women. In his Herbarium, Roman philosopher and scholar Lucius Apuleius (c. 124-170 A.D.) writes: “Of these worts that we name Artemisia, it is said that Diana found them and delivered their powers and leechdom to Chiron the Centaur, who first from these worts set forth a leechdom, and he named these worts from the Greek name of Diana, Artemis.”

The role of Artemisia species in folklore and traditional medicine is described on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

 

This very widespread species grows in open arid areas, from Europe and the Middle East eastwards to China, and is also widespread in North America. In the Himalaya, it is found at altitudes between 2,700 and 4,700 m, from Pakistan eastwards to Uttarakhand.

In Europe, it is cultivated as a condiment, and it yields an aromatic oil. In Asia, it is used medicinally, and as winter fodder for sheep in Tibet.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek drakon (‘dragon’, ‘serpent’) and ion, a diminutive suffix, thus ‘little dragon’. The plant was seemingly so named due to its coiled roots. The common names are derived from the specific name.

 

 

 

 

 

It is common in open areas and fallow fields, distributed from Pakistan and Central Asia eastwards to Japan and northern Thailand. In the Himalaya, it grows at elevations between 1,200 and 3,500 m.

The specific name means ‘doubtful’ in the Latin. When he named this plant, Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854) (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above) presumably doubted its validity.

 

 

 

 

 

This species is distributed from India eastwards to northern China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, and thence southwards to Indonesia and the Philippines. In the Himalaya, it grows in open areas and fallow fields, up to altitudes around 2,400 m.

In Nepal, juice of the plant is used for diarrhoea, dysentery, and abdominal pain. It is also used as an eyewash to treat conjunctivitis. A paste of the plant is applied to wounds. Juice of the root is taken as a tonic for the kidneys.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows to 50 cm high, stem usually unbranched, or with few short branches, and may easily be recognized by the relatively large, brownish flowerheads, to 1.5 cm across. The greyish-green leaves are deeply dissected, to 4 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. Flowering takes place June-September.

The specific name is derived from Proto-Indo-European makros (‘to increase’), and Ancient Greek kephale (‘head’), thus ‘with a large head’, alluding to the large flowerheads, compared to other members of the genus.

 

 

 

 

 

The branched inflorescence is a panicle to 30 cm long, with small yellow flowerheads, to 6 mm across. The pinnatifid, twice or thrice dissected, greyish-green leaves are broadly ovate, to 15 cm long and wide. It flowers between June and October.

In local folk medicine, essential oil from this plant is utilized as an anti-inflammatory, a paste of the root is applied to boils, and a decoction of the plant is used to relieve joint pain.

The specific name honours German pharmacist and botanist Johann Sievers (1762-1795), who participated in a Russian expedition to the southern mountains of Siberia 1790-1795. During his travels, he collected a wide variety of plants.

 

 

 

 

 

There are various interpretations of the generic name, some say it is derived from Ancient Greek askelios (‘withered’), others suggest a (‘without’) and skelos (‘leg’).

 

It is widespread and common, growing in a variety of habitats, including river plains, sandy and rocky areas, open slopes, and meadows. It occurs from Kazakhstan, southern Russia, and Mongolia southwards to Nepal and Pakistan, westwards to the Middle East, and eastwards to western China, found at altitudes from 800 to 5,100 m.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘winding’, presumably alluding to the many stems pointing in all directions.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is Ancient Greek, meaning ‘star’, alluding to the spreading ray florets.

In former days, a large number of North American composites were included in this genus. However, following comprehensive research, the New World species have been transferred to the genera Almutaster, Canadanthus, Doellingeria, Eucephalus, Eurybia, Ionactis, Oligoneuron, Oreostemma, Sericocarpus, and Symphyotrichum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Kashmir eastwards to Myanmar and western China, at elevations between 1,500 and 4,200 m, growing in open areas and shrubberies.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘becoming white’, alluding to the sometimes whitish ray florets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is partial to wet meadows and streamsides, found at altitudes between 2,700 and 4,900 m, from Kashmir eastwards to Bhutan and the Yunnan Province.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek diplos (‘double’) and stephanos (‘crown’, ‘wreath’), alluding to the ray florets, which are arranged in 2 or 3 rows.

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Iran and Kazakhstan, eastwards to south-eastern Siberia, and thence southwards to Pakistan, Himachal Pradesh, and northern Nepal. In the Himalaya, it grows on open slopes, and in scree and grasslands, at elevations between 3,600 and 5,200 m.

Medicinally, it is utilized for pulmonary abscesses, tuberculosis, and pertussis.

The specific name is derived from the Latin flacceo (‘to be flabby or flaccid’) and‎ idus (‘tending to’). It has many other meanings, including pendulous, feeble, and weak. It is not clear which one the name refers to.

 

 

 

 

 

This species grows on open slopes and in rocky areas at elevations between 3,600 and 4,800 m, distributed from central Nepal eastwards to Myanmar and south-western China.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows on open slopes, and in grassy areas and scree, found at elevations between 1,900 and 4,200 m, from Afghanistan eastwards to central Nepal.

The specific name is composed of two parts, ind, short for Indian, and amellus, referring to the European Aster amellus, thus ‘the Indian (aster), resembling (Aster) amellus‘.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in forests and shrubberies at elevations between 2,100 and 3,300 m, from Pakistan eastwards to Uttarakhand.

The specific name was given in honour of British surgeon and botanist Thomas Thomson (1817-1878), who assisted in writing the first volume of Flora Indica.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is widely distributed, from south-eastern Siberia southwards through most of China, Korea, and Japan to northern Indochina and the eastern half of the Himalaya, where it occurs from western Nepal eastwards to northern Myanmar, growing in forests and shrubberies, and along fields, at elevations between 1,500 and 3,400 m.

In Nepal, juice of the root is taken for indigestion, and is also applied to boils.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is from the Latin bi (’two’) and dens (’tooth’), alluding to the mostly 2 (sometimes 3 or 4) sharp, hooked teeth on the seeds, which easily get attached to animal pelts or people’s clothes, hereby often being spread a considerable distance from the mother plant. This way of seed dispersal has given rise to names like beggar-ticks, stickseed, farmer’s friend (sic!), needle grass, Spanish needles, stick-tight, cobbler’s pegs, Devil’s needles, and Devil’s pitchfork.

 

It is a pan-tropical and -subtropical weed of unknown origin, which has become a pest in many places, expelling native species. It occurs in the entire Himalaya, from the lowland up to altitudes around 2,200 m, growing in all types of open areas.

However, this is not only a troublesome weed, it also has medicinal properties. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used for a large number of ailments, including influenza, colds, fever, sore throat, appendicitis, hepatitis, malaria, and haemorrhoids. Due to its high content of fiber, it is beneficial to the cardiovascular system, and it has been used with success in treatment of diabetes.

The specific name is derived from the Latin pilus (‘hair’) and osus (‘full of’, ‘plenty’), thus ‘very hairy – not a suitable name, as it is not very hairy.

Other pictures, depicting this species, may be seen on the pages Plants: Urban plant life, and Nature: Invasive species.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is Latin, probably derived from Proto-Indo-European kars, which is ultimately from Sanskrit kaṣati (‘to scratch’ or ‘to rub’). The name naturally refers to the extremely spiny leaves and stems.

 

It is quite common in the Himalaya, growing in open areas and along fields, at altitudes between 1,500 and 4,500 m, from Afghanistan eastwards to Himachal Pradesh.

The specific name commemorates Danish botanist, geographer, and anthropologist Lennart Edelberg (1915-1981), who participated in three expeditions to Afghanistan, in 1948-1949, 1953-1954, and 1964, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek kirsion, according to Greek physician, pharmacologist, and botanist Pedanius Dioscorides (died 90 A.D.) the name of a kind of thistle, derived from kirsos (‘swollen vein’), alluding to its usage against swollen veins.

 

It may be separated from other thistles by the rather small purplish, violet, or pink (rarely white) flowerheads, to 2 cm across. Flowering takes place between March and August.

In Nepal, a paste of the root is used for indigestion.

This species is a most troublesome weed in most cooler parts of the world. As far back as 1863, Danish research showed that a large creeping thistle can produce about 80 flowerheads in one season, and as flowerheads on average contain 120 flowers, one single plant is able to produce about 10,000 seeds per year! The invasiveness of this plant is described on the page Nature: Invasive species.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘growing in fields’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It occurs in open areas and fallow fields, distributed from Afghanistan eastwards along the Himalaya to northern Vietnam, at altitudes between 750 and 3,900 m.

In Nepal, the tender root is eaten fresh or in salads. A paste of the root is used for stomach ache and urinal disorders, and juice of the root for fever.

The specific name is derived from the Latin veru (‘javelin’ or ‘dart’), naturally alluding to the spines.

Some authorities place this species in the genus Lophiolepis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is found from Afghanistan eastwards to south-western China, growing in open areas at altitudes between 1,200 and 3,300 m.

In Nepal, juice of the root is taken for fever, and also dripped into sore eyes. A paste of the root is used for inflamed stomach, juice of the plant for constipation.

The specific name was given in honour of Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854), who studied the Indian and Himalayan flora in the early 1800s (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name honours French philosopher Victor Cousin (1792-1867).

 

It grows in arid grasslands and open stony areas at elevations between 3,000 and 4,300 m, distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to western Nepal and south-western Tibet.

The specific name was given in honour of British surgeon and botanist Thomas Thomson (1817-1878), who assisted in writing the first volume of Flora Indica.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the Latin crassus (‘thick’, ‘stout’), and Ancient Greek kephale (‘head’), presumably alluding to the rather robust flowerheads.

 

The numerous flowerheads, to 1 cm across, are in terminal clusters, the disc florets have a unique reddish-brown colour, more rarely orange or yellow, ray florets missing. Leaves are mostly elliptic, to 12 cm long and 5 cm wide, hairless, margin irregularly toothed, sometimes pinnately lobed at the base. It flowers most of the year.

It is used medicinally for indigestion and diarrhoea, and to invigorate the spleen. In Nepal, juice of the plant is applied to wounds, and young leaves and stems are eaten as a vegetable. Young flowerheads emit a mango-like fragrance when crushed.

The specific name means ‘resembling Crepis‘, another genus in Asteraceae.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name may be derived from the Latin cremanto, from cremo (‘I burn something to ashes’), referring to the dark involucral bracts of these plants; and dium (‘divine’), alluding to their beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its habitats include grassy slopes and stony areas. It is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to western China, growing at elevations from 3,500 to 5,400 m.

The specific name commemorates French botanist and agronomist Joseph Decaisne (1807-1882), who described numerous plant genera.

 

 

 

 

 

This plant is found in dry grasslands and stony areas, and along rivers at elevations between 3,400 and 5,600 m, distributed from Pakistan eastwards to western China.

The specific name commemorates British botanist Robert Ellis, who collected plants in the north-western Himalaya 1879-1883.

 

 

 

 

 

The basal leaves are stalked, ovate, toothed, to 8 cm long and 5 cm wide, with impressed veins, apex rounded or slightly pointed. The stem has short black hairs and very small leaves. The single flowerhead is nodding, to 3 cm across, ray florets yellow, to 15 mm long and 3 mm wide, with 3 teeth at the tip, disc florets initially yellow, later black. The flowering time is July-August.

 

 

 

 

 

This species is distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to the Yunnan Province of China, growing at forest margins, in shrubberies, and on open slopes, at altitudes between 3,300 and 4,500 m. It is rather common in Nepal.

The specific name means ‘kidney-shaped’ in the Latin, referring to the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

This plant is found from central Nepal eastwards to south-western China, growing on open slopes at elevations between 3,000 and 4,500 m.

In a botanical context, retusum refers to a leaf having a rounded apex with a small notch. However, in this species the notch is far from being obvious.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is composed of Crepis, another genus in Asteraceae, and the Latin astrum (‘resembling’).

 

It is distributed from Mongolia, south-eastern Siberia, and north-eastern China across Central Asia to Ladakh, growing in grassy and stony areas at elevations between 1,500 and 4,000 m.

The specific name is derived from the Latin tenuis (‘thin’) and‎ folium (‘leaf’).

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name commemorates Swiss clergyman and botanist Jean Étienne Duby (1798-1885).

 

This species is distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to south-western China, found at elevations between 2,700 and 4,500 m. Its habitats include forest margins, meadows, and shrubberies.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name commemorates French Jesuit historian Jean-Baptiste du Halde (1674-1743), who wrote an encyclopedia on the history, culture, and society of China, based on reports by Jesuit missionaries.

 

It is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to Indochina and southern China, with an isolated occurrence on Java. In the Himalaya, it often forms dense growths in shrubberiesand on open slopes, at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,400 m.

In Nepal, juice of the root is used for peptic ulcer, indigestion, gastric problems, and fever, juice of the bark for menstrual disorder. Alcohol is also made from the plant.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘cloak’ or ‘cape’. What it refers to is not clear.

 

 

 

 

 

These plants are characterized by their thistle-like appearance, but are easily identified by the spherical flowerhead, which resembles a spiny ball. This inflorescence gave rise to the generic name, from Ancient Greek ekhinos (‘hedgehog’) and ops (‘head’).

 

The numerous leaves, to 20 cm long, very much resemble thistle leaves. The inflorescence is a spherical flowerhead, florets all alike, to 15 mm long, white or pale blue, with long, spine-tipped involucral bracts, causing the flowerhead to resemble a spiny ball. Flowering takes place July-September.

Medicinally, the powdered leaves are used to cure jaundice, a paste of the leaves is applied to septic wounds, and the seeds are taken as a tonic.

The specific name is Latin, derived from cornu (‘horn’) and gero (‘I carry’), thus ‘horned’. It probably refers to the spines in the inflorescence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek eri (‘early in the morning’) and geron (‘old man’), alluding to some species, which are covered with down when young. Some members contain an oil with a turpentine-like smell, which, supposedly, should deter fleas, hence the common name.

 

It has a very wide distribution, found in the major part of Europe and Asia, eastwards to Kamchatka and Japan, southwards to south-western Asia and the Himalaya, and also in colder parts of North America. In the Himalaya, it is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to Bhutan, at elevations between 1,000 and 3,500 m. Habitats include open slopes and grasslands.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘sharp’ or ‘bitter’, alluding to the taste of the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

This species is native to North America, but has become naturalized many other places, especially Europe and Asia. It is a pioneer plant, often colonizing disturbed areas, including fallow fields, waste places, roadsides and along railways. In the Himalaya, it is still fairly sparse, but spreading rapidly. It has been observed up to altitudes around 1,800 m.

 

 

 

 

 

This is a common plant on open slopes, in grasslands, and along fields, found at elevations between 1,300 and 3,600 m, from Pakistan eastwards to Bhutan.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘resembling Bellis‘, alluding to the similarity of the flowerheads to those of the European common daisy (Bellis perennis).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stem, occasionally growing to 3 m tall, is erect, branched above, densely coved in oblanceolate or linear leaves, to 10 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, entire or with few teeth, tip pointed. Flowerheads numerous, tiny, to 4 mm across, in large terminal clusters, ray florets 20-30, white, to 3.5 mm long, disc florets 8-30, yellowish. It has a long flowering period, from May to September.

In many places, this plant has become a serious pest, especially in Europe and Australia, but also in its native North America. It prefers to grow in undisturbed areas and is particularly troublesome in newly established plantations, where it is able to resist herbicides and grow so large that it deprives planted species of nutrients and sunlight.

A popular name of the species is bloodstanch, given by herbalists, who claim that an extract from leaves and flowers is able to stop bleeding from the lungs and alimentary tract.

Other pictures, depicting horsetail fleabane, are shown on the pages Plants: Urban plant life, and Nature: Invasive species.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Iran eastwards to south-western China, in the Himalaya growing on open slopes, in grasslands, and along forest margins, at altitudes between 2,300 and 4,600 m.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘with numerous spokes’, from radius (‘spoke’, ‘ray’), referring to the numerous ray florets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was named in honour of Ignacio Mariano Martinez de Galinsoga (1756-1797), director of the Royal Botanical Garden in Madrid, and physician to the Spanish Queen consort Maria Luisa de Parma. In Britain, the generic name was corrupted to gallant soldiers.

 

A branched herb, which may grow to a height of 75 cm, but is usually much lower. The leaves are opposite, stalked or sessile, broadly lanceolate, to 11 cm long and 7 cm wide, margin weakly toothed. The flowerheads are tiny, the involucre to 5 mm across. The usually 5, but sometimes up to 8 ray florets are usually white, sometimes pink, 3-lobed, to 1.8 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, disc florets yellow. Flowering time July-October.

Leaves, stem and flowers are edible, and the subtle flavour, reminiscent of artichoke, develops after being cooked. It is also dried and ground into powder for usage in soups. In Nepal, juice of the plant is applied to wounds.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘small-flowered’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek gyne (‘woman’) and oura (‘tail’), alluding to the long, protruding styles.

 

It is found in hilly regions of the Indian Subcontinent eastwards to northern Thailand and south-western China, in the Himalaya growing at elevations between 1,200 and 3,400 m. Habitats include open slopes, grasslands, roadsides, and river banks.

This plant is sometimes cultivated as a vegetable. Juice of stem and leaves is applied to wounds to stop bleeding, and a paste of the leaves is applied to the forehead to relive headache.

The specific name is derived from the Marathi name of the plant, kusimbi.

 

 

 

 

 

Inula is the Ancient Latin name for Inula helenium, a species native to southern Europe, and western and central Asia. It is derived from Ancient Greek inaein (‘cleansing’), referring to its medicinal properties. In the 5th Century, it was called Inula campana, in medieval times Enula campana, which, in English, was corrupted to elecampane. This species is described on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

 

This species is distributed in dry stony areas, from Afghanistan eastwards to central Tibet and Uttarakhand, at altitudes between 2,700 and 4,500 m.

The specific name is derived from the Latin obtusus (‘blunt’) and‎ folium (‘leaf’).

 

 

 

 

 

The leafy stem is to 45 cm tall, leaves oblong-lanceolate, to 7.5 cm long, with glandular teeth and bristly hairs on the margin. The solitay flowerheads are terminal, to 6 cm across, ray florets very numerous, narrow, golden-yellow, to 2 cm long, 3-lobed at the tip, disc florets brownish-yellow. The involucral bracts are bristly-hairy, the outer ones as long as the ray florets. Flowering occurs from July to September.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Afghanistan and Xinjiang southwards to Himachal Pradesh and central Nepal, growing in shrubberies, grasslands, and along trails, at elevations between 1,500 and 3,200 m. It is often cultivated, as the root is widely utilized in local traditional medicine, e.g. as an expectorant.

The specific name refers to the arrangement of the flowerheads, borne in racemes. The origin of the name elecampane is explained above under genus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in drier areas at elevations between 1,700 and 3,800 m, from Turkmenistan eastwards to Xinjiang and Tibet, southwards to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Ladakh. Habitats include grasslands, shrubberies, and margins of coniferous forests.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek rhiza (‘root’) and kephale (‘head’), which may not refer to the root proper, but to the flowerheads clustered just above the root.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name honours Swiss physician and naturalist Louis Jurine (1751-1819), or his son André Jurine (1780-1804), naturalist and scholar of medicine and botany, author of Recherches sur l’organisation des feuilles (1802)

 

It is restricted to northern Pakistan and Ladakh, growing on dry rocky or sandy slopes at altitudes between 2,500 and 4,000 m.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek keras (‘horn’) and karpos (‘fruit’), referring to the seeds having several long apical spikes.

Some authorities regard this plant as belonging to a separate genus, naming it Lipschitziella congesta, honouring Russian botanist Sergej Lipschitz (1905-1983), who worked extensively on the taxonomy of the genus Saussurea (below). Creation of the new genus was based on its seeds having several long apical spikes. (Source: M. Qaiser, A. Ghafoor & A. Roohi 2019. Notes on Asteraceae-Cardueae from Pakistan and Kashmir. Pak. J. Bot., 51(4): 1429-1440)

However, the seeds of many Jurinea species have rather long apical spikes, so this character does not justify creation of a new genus.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name was the classical Latin name of the garden lettuce (L. sativa), derived from lactis (‘milk’), alluding to the milky sap of this plant.

 

This species is distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to south-western China, growing in shrubberies and along fields, at elevations between 1,300 and 3,300 m.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek dolikhos (‘long’) and phyllon (‘leaf’).

 

 

 

 

 

The stem is branched from the base, which is encircled by a leaf rosette, leaves smooth, pinnately divided with 2-4 pairs of pointed lobes. Stem leaves are smaller and less indented, decurrent a long way down the stem. One flowerhead on each branch, cylindric, to 1 cm long, with 4-5 yellow ray florets, which are much paler below, with 4 brown longitudinal streaks, disc florets absent. Flowering occurs July-August.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is widely distributed, from eastern Europe eastwards to China, and thence southwards to south-western Asia and the Himalaya, and also in North America. In the Himalaya, it is found from Pakistan eastwards to Himachal Pradesh, at elevations between 1,200 and 4,300 m. Habitats include grasslands, fields, and gravelly areas.

Among the Zuni people of New Mexico, the dried root gum of this plant was used as chewing gum.

The specific name refers to an area, formerly inhabited by Tatar-speaking Turkic peoples, who lived from the Volga River and Crimea eastwards to western Siberia and Kazakhstan.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name was applied by Scottish botanist Robert Brown (1773-1858), from Ancient Greek leon (‘lion’) and podion (‘small foot’), presumably in allusion to the fuzzy involucral bracts, which somewhat resemble a lion’s paw. In German, the name edelweiss means ‘noble white’.

The common edelweiss (L. alpinum) is described on the page Plants: Flora of the Alps and the Pyrenees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This species is distributed from Pakistan eastwards across the Himalaya and southern Tibet to Myanmar, growing in grassy areas, and on stony slopes, at elevations between 2,200 and 4,500 m.

The plant is used medicinally to treat wounds. It is also presented as an offering at Hindu and Buddhist shrines.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in grassy areas or on stony slopes at elevations between 2,200 and 5,000 m, from southern Russia southwards through Xinjiang and Mongolia to Tibet and Ladakh.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek okhra (‘pale yellow’) and leukos (‘white’), referring to the involucral bracts.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the Latin ligula (‘strap’), referring to the shape of the ray florets.

 

This species grows in shrubberies and forest clearings, often near streams, at elevations between 2,700 and 4,800 m, distributed from Kashmir eastwards to Bhutan.

In Tibet, stem, leaves, and flowers are used as a cooling and astringent medicine, and for indigestion. In Nepal, the pounded root is applied to sprains and dislocated bones.

The specific name refers to the stem-clasping leaves, from the Latin amplexus (‘clasped’) and‎ caulis (‘stem’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek melas (‘black’) and seris, the ancient name of a chichory-like plant. Initially, the name was given to M. lessertiana (below), which often has very dark stems, and also black fruits, and whose flowerheads resemble those of chicory (Cichorium intybus), described on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

 

This species has a rather limited distribution, from western Nepal eastwards to Sikkim, growing in shrubberies and open slopes at elevations between 2,000 and 3,600 m.

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to central Nepal, at elevations between 1,800 and 3,600 m. Habitats include forests, shrubberies, and open slopes.

The specific name may refer to St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusian order of monks in the 11th Century, in the French Alps, or to Scottish botanist Robert Brown (1773-1858).

The former generic name Prenanthes is derived from Ancient Greek prenes (‘drooping’) and anthos (‘flower’), alluding to the pendent flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Pakistan across the Himalaya and southern Tibet to south-western China, found in open areas and grasslands at altitudes between 2,700 and 4,800 m.

The plant was named for French banker and naturalist Jules Paul Benjamin Delessert (1773-1847). He was an honorary member of the Académie des Sciences, and many species were named from his collections of natural history items.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in forests and shrubberies, and on open slopes at altitudes between 3,200 and 4,300 m, distributed from central Nepal eastwards to Bhutan, and in extreme southern Tibet.

The specific name is derived from Proto-Indo-European makros (‘to increase’) and Ancient Greek anthos (‘flower’), thus ‘having large flowers’.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the French myria, ultimately from Ancient Greek myrios (‘countless’), alluding to the many diverging flowerheads. Other characteristics include globular or hemispherical flowerheads and very numerous, short ray florets.

 

Stems are erect, to about 1 m tall, but often much lower, branched. Basal leaves are ovate or elliptic, to 10 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, sometimes lobed, with a winged stalk to 10 cm long, stem leaves sessile, serrated, gradually smaller up the stem, shape variable, often lanceolate. Flowerheads globular or hemispherical, to 1.5 cm across, often many in a lax cluster. Ray florets white, very short, to 0.8 mm wide, in many rows, disc florets yellow. The flowering period is very long, from April to November.

In Nepal, the seeds are roasted and pickled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek nanos (‘dwarf’) and glotta (‘tongue’), presumably alluding to the ray florets.

 

It is distributed from western Nepal eastwards to Bhutan and south-eastern Tibet, growing in shrubberies and pine forests at altitudes between 3,200 and 4,100 m. It is prominent in the Upper Langtang Valley, central Nepal.

The specific name honours British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911), who described numerous new plant species in the eastern Himalaya (see Rhododendron dalhousiae).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These plants are commonly known as feverfew, not to be confused with an Old World plant with the same name, Tanacetum parthenium, which is described on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

The generic name is a Latinized version of Ancient Greek parthenos (‘virgin’), or maybe parthenion, which was the name of an unknown plant in Ancient Greece.

 

Santa Maria feverfew is native to large parts of the Americas, from southern United States southwards to Mexico, the Caribbean, and northern South America. However, it has been spread to virtually all warmer areas of the world and has become naturalized in many places, ranging from fields and grasslands to roadsides, fallow plots, and along trails, usually below an altitude of 1,500 m, but occasionally observed up to 1,800 m. It is regarded as an invasive in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

This plant should be handled with caution, as it may cause dermatitis and respiratory malfunction in humans, and, if eaten by livestock, it may cause udder disease.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek hystera (‘womb’) and phoros (‘bearing’), maybe alluding to the shape of the flowerheads.

In America, it has a number of popular names, including bitterweed, carrot grass, congress grass, false chamomile, false ragweed, and white-top.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek petasos, meaning ’broad-brimmed hat’, referring to the very large leaves of common butterbur (Petasites hybridus), which may grow to 1 m across. The name butterbur supposedly stems from the habit of using the large leaves to wrap butter in during hot weather.

The role of this genus in folklore and traditional medicine is described on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

 

This plant is found from Pakistan eastwards to western China and northern Vietnam. In the Himalaya, it grows at elevations between 2,700 and 4,300 m, elsewhere down to around 700 m. Habitats include forests, open slopes, and along roads and streams.

The rhizome is used medicinally for treating injuries, trauma, swelling, and fractures, and for detoxification of snakebites.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek thrix (‘hair’) and lobos (‘lobe’), presumably alluding to the downy-hairy bracts on the stem.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek pikros (‘bitter’), alluding to the taste of the species below. The name ox-tongue refers to the rough surface of the leaves.

 

As its name implies, hawkweed ox-tongue resembles some species of hawkweed (Hieracium). It is a robust plant, occasionally growing to 1.2 m tall, bristly-hairy on stem, leaves, and involucral bracts. Leaves broadly lanceolate, toothed, with wavy margins, to 20 cm long and 4 cm wide. Flowerheads numerous, in a large, lax, branched, flat-topped terminal cluster and several smaller axillary clusters, individual heads to 2 cm across, outer bracts spreading. Ray florets many, yellow, disc florets absent. Flowering occurs April-October.

In the Himalaya, this plant grows in open areas, including fallow fields, at elevations between 1,800 and 3,800 m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek psykhros (‘cold’, ‘frozen’), alluding to the high altitudes that these plants are growing at.

 

It occurs in dry, stony areas, from eastern Iran and Tajikistan eastwards through Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh to Xinjiang and Tibet, found at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,600 m. It is common in Lahaul and Ladakh.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek gnaphallion (‘a lock of wool’), referring to the woolly leaves of many species, and pseudes (‘false’), alluding to the similarity of these plants to the European cudweeds, genus Gnaphalium.

 

Stem to 40 cm tall, leaves oblong or spathulate, to 6 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. The stem is branched towards the apex, with several terminal clusters of flowerheads, to 3 mm across, disc florets glistening yellow, ray florets absent. In the Himalaya, it has a very long flowering period, from February to October.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘kindred’, presumably of another plant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was named in honour of Alexander Vilgelmovich Richter (1804-1849), director of the Moscow University Library.

 

It is restricted to dry and stony areas of Central Asia, distributed from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Xinjiang, and southern Siberia southwards to northern Pakistan and Ladakh, growing at altitudes between 3,300 and 4,800 m. It is common in Ladakh.

The specific name alludes to the similarity of this plant to certain members of the genus Tanacetum (below), which were formerly placed in the genus Pyrethrum.

 

 

 

 

 

Members of this genus lack ray florets. They differ from the similar genus Jurinea (above) in the seeds not having apical spikes, but instead forming an apical ring or crown. Many species are adapted to the cold and dry conditions at high altitudes, having a dense cover of insulating hairs.

The genus was named in honour of Swiss geologist, meteorologist, physicist, and mountaineer Horace-Bénédict de Saussure (1740-1799), often called the founder of alpinism and modern meteorology, and his son, chemist and botanist Nicolas-Théodore de Saussure (1767-1845), who was a major pioneer in the study of photosynthesis.

Some members of the genus have recently been moved to a newly established genus, Shangwua (below).

 

This species is found in dry stony areas and grasslands at elevations between 2,500 and 4,600 m, from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and western Tibet southwards to Pakistan and Ladakh.

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Kashmir eastwards to Bhutan and south-eastern Tibet, at elevations between 3,200 and 4,900 m. Habitats include shrubberies, grasslands, and open slopes. It is quite common in Nepal.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek erion (‘wool’) and stemon (‘stamen’).

 

 

 

 

 

It is quite common in dry stony areas at altitudes between 2,700 and 5,800 m, distributed from eastern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan eastwards across Central Asia to western China, southwards to Pakistan, Ladakh, and western Nepal.

The specific name alludes to the similarity of this plant to some members of genus Gnaphalium, the European cudweeds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in barren and stony areas at altitudes between 4,200 and 5,600 m, from Kashmir eastwards to Arunachal Pradesh, and, doubtfully, in the Yunnan Province.

It is used medicinally.

The specific name is derived from the genus name of cotton, Gossypium, and from Ancient Greek phoros (‘bearing’), naturally alluding to the dense cover of woolly hairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to south-western China, growing in stony areas and scree, at elevations between 3,200 and 5,200 m.

This plant is sacred to Hindus, who call it Brahma Kamal, meaning ‘Lotus of Brahma’. It is also used medicinally.

Literally, the Latin specific name means ‘surrounded or fortified with a rampart or palisade’. Naturally, it refers to the enclosing bracts.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the French scorzonère (‘viper’s grass’). It was formerly believed that the juice of certain members of the genus was a good remedy for snake bites. In 1630, an old soldier applied for a license to sell a concoction of water, cinnamon, viper’s grass, and anise. (Source: J.M. Anderson 2002. Daily Life During the Spanish Inquisition. Greenwood Publishing Group)

 

It grows in dry stony areas at elevations between 2,700 and 4,200 m, from Pakistan eastwards to Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. It is common in Ladakh.

The specific name is derived from the Latin virga (‘staff’), alluding to the numerous erect stems.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the Latin senex (‘old man’), alluding to the white seed hairs.

 

It has a shrubby stem, occasionally to 2 m high, but often much lower, with very many stalked, lanceolate or elliptic leaves, to 22 cm long and 4 cm wide. The numerous flowerheads are tiny, to 6 mm long, in dense, terminal, branched clusters, florets yellow, ray florets short. It flowers from August to November.

In Nepal, alcohol is produced from the plant. Medicinally, juice of the root is given for fever, and a paste of the leaves is applied to boils.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘cloak’ or ‘cape’. What it refers to is not clear.

 

 

 

 

 

It is rather common, found from Kashmir eastwards to south-western China and Malaysia. In the Himalaya, it grows in shrubberies, and along forest margins and streams, found at altitudes between 2,000 and 4,100 m.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘with slender flowers’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Pakistan to Arunachal Pradesh, growing in open areas and shrubberies at altitudes between 2,400 and 4,000 m.

It is used medicinally for treatment of body swelling, debility, and sore throat. An infusion of the root is taken for indigestion.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘lush’. Previously, it was called S. chrysanthemoides, alluding to its chrysanthemum-like leaves, and it has also been named Jacobaea analoga.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has very slender, zig-zag stems, occasionally to 4 m long, and arrow-shaped, long-pointed leaves, to 12 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, often with lobes at the base, and terminal, branched clusters of flowerheads, each to 8 mm long, florets yellow, ray florets to 5 mm long. It flowers in the autumn, from August to December.

This plant is very widely distributed in Asia, from Uttarakhand across Tibet and Qinghai to Japan, southwards to Sri Lanka, Indochina, the Philippines, and Sulawesi. In the Himalaya, it grows in forests, shrubberies, and villages, at altitudes between c. 1,800 and 4,000 m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name was given in honour of Chinese botanist and professor Shang Wu Liu (born 1934).

 

It is distributed from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to south-western China, growing in shrubberies and grasslands, on open slopes, and along forest margins, at elevations between 2,400 and 4,000 m.

The specific name is derived from the Latin fastus (‘pride’). It is a stately plant!

 

 

 

 

 

Stem to 1 m tall, leaves pale green, ovate, sessile, sometimes clasping the stem, to 7 cm long and 4 cm wide, flowerheads to 2.3 cm long, with very distinctive, overlapping involucral bracts, lanceolate-elliptic, bright green with narrow dark-brown margins, disc florets whitish, yellowish, or purplish, ray florets absent. Flowering period July-August.

Locally, an extract of the plant is applied to infections and wounds.

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was named for German botanist and physician Johann Georg Siegesbeck (see below).

 

It is very widely distributed, from Turkey, the Caucasus, and Kazakhstan southwards to the Indian Subcontinent, and thence eastwards to Japan, and further north to Ussuriland (south-eastern Siberia), southwards to Australia and islands in the Pacific, and also in Yemen, eastern and southern Africa, and Madagascar. In the Himalaya, it grows in shrubberies and open areas up to altitudes around 2,700 m.

In traditional medicine, this species is utilized for arthritis, joint pain, muscle pain, sciatica, and snakebite, and it has also been used in treatment of malaria.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initially, he was a friend of the famous Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778). Later, however, he became a fierce critic of Linnaeus’s Systema plantarum sexuale, from 1737, which was partly based on grouping plants according to the number of male and female organs in each flower. Siegesbeck called this theory “loathsome harlotry” and wondered “who would have thought that bluebells, lillies and onions could be up to such immorality?” He mockingly asked, whether God would allow 20 men or more (i.e. the stamens) to have one wife in common (i.e. the pistil).

“What man,” he continued, “will ever believe that God Almighty should have introduced such confusion, or rather such shameful whoredom, for the propagation of the reign of plants? Who will instruct young students in such a voluptuous system without scandal?”

When Linnaeus returned to Sweden, he realized that he had become a laughing stock, thanks to Siegesbeck’s criticism. He retaliated by naming a foul-smelling oriental weed with sticky glands Siegesbeckia.

Swedish botanist Johan Browallius successfully defended Linnaeus’s ideas, but this did not alter Siegesbeck’s attitude, and the dispute continued. Linnaeus relabeled a packet of Siegesbeckia seeds Cuculus ingratus (‘ungrateful cuckoo’) and sent it to Siegesbeck, who grew the seeds. When he realized that they were Siegesbeckia, he stopped his correspondence with Linnaeus, and from then on there was cold air between the two. (Source: L. & L. Taiz, 2017. Flora unveiled: the discovery and denial of sex in plants)

While the good German doctor’s name was Siegesbeck, the current correct spelling of the generic name, according to Kew Botanical Gardens, London, is Sigesbeckia.

 

 

 

The generic name is a Latinized form of the Greek sonkhos, the ancient name for sow-thistles. The common name refers to the fact that pigs like to eat these plants, and to the leaves, which resemble young thistle leaves.

 

This species presumably originates from the Mediterranean region, but has become naturalized in most parts of the world. In the Himalaya, it is found at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,700 m. Habitats include waste places, fallow fields, villages, and along trails.

In Nepal, a paste of the plant is applied to wounds and boils. It is also collected for fodder, and tender parts are cooked as a vegetable.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘rough’ or ‘coarse’, naturally alluding to the leaves.

Another picture, depicting this species, may be seen on the page Plants: Urban plant life.

 

 

 

 

 

It is native to Europe and western Asia, but has been spread to most other areas of the world. In the Himalaya, it occurs at altitudes between 1,700 and 3,200 m, growing in waste places, fallow fields, and villages, and along trails.

The specific name is derived from the Latin oleris, meaning ‘edible’. Young leaves can be eaten as salad or cooked like spinach. The plant is also used medicinally.

Other pictures, depicting this species, may be seen on the page Plants: Urban plant life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to China, thence southwards to Sri Lanka and Java. In the Himalaya, it grows in open areas, waste lands, and fallow fields, up to elevations around 2,300 m.

The specific name was given in honour of Scottish surgeon and botanist Robert Wight (1796-1872), who spent most of his life in southern India, where he was the leading botanical taxonomist, describing 110 new genera and 1,267 new species. He published a series of illustrated works in Madras, including the six-volume Icones Plantarum Indiae Orientalis (1838–53), the Illustrations of Indian Botany (1838–50), and Spicilegium Neilgherrense (1845–51).

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek soros (‘heap’) and seris, the classical Greek name for salad, presumably referring to the abundance of leaves in these plants.

 

It is found in drier areas, on stony slopes and in scree and shrubberies, at elevations between 2,800 and 5,500 m, from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to western China.

This species, or species complex, has recently been revised, see L. Heng, Y. Zheng, Y. Zhao, Y. Wang 2019. Radiation of members of the Soroseris hookeriana complex (Asteraceae) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and their proposed taxonomic treatment. PhytoKeys 114: 11-25.

The specific name honours British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911), who described numerous new plant species in the eastern Himalaya (see Rhododendron dalhousiae).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is Latin, adapted from Ancient Greek athanatos (‘immortal’), according to some old herbal books referring to the toxicity of common tansy (T. vulgare) towards various pests, thus stopping their attack. The common name was adapted from Old French tanesie, a corruption of the Latin name.

A member of this genus, feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), which was formerly much utilized in folk medicine, is presented on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

 

It is distributed from Kashmir to western Nepal, growing on open slopes at altitudes between 3,300 and 4,400 m.

Locally, a paste of the root is used for indigestion.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek dolikhos (‘long’) and phyllon (‘leaf’).

 

 

 

 

 

It is endemic to northern Pakistan and Ladakh, growing in rock crevices and on sandy river plains, at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,000 m.

The specific name was given in honour of Ferdinand Stoliczka (1838-1874), a Czech palaeontologist, geologist, and zoologist, who mainly worked in India. He died of altitude sickness during an expedition to the Karakoram Mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

These plants are characterized by stem and leaves having a milky sap. The long and narrow leaves are in a rosette, 10-20 cm across, blade usually lobed or serrated, but sometimes almost entire, wavy. The single flowerhead, 2-6 cm across, is borne on a leafless, hollow stem, 10-20 cm tall, sometimes more. Florets yellow, very numerous, densely crowded. Flowering takes place most of the year.

In Nepal, young leaves are eaten as a vegetable or in salads. In Ladakh, the plant is used as a tonic and blood purifier, and for blisters, bowel complaints, dislocation, dysentery, gastric ulcers, headache, and kidney disorders.

Dandelion was first mentioned as a medicinal herb by Arabian physicians in the 10th or 11th Century, who called it a sort of wild endive (Cichorium), under the name of tharakhchakon, which was corrupted to Taraxacum. In French, these plants were named dent de lion (‘lion’s tooth’), alluding to the often strongly serrated leaves. This name was adopted by the English, corrupted to dandelion.

The role of dandelion in folklore and traditional medicine is described on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek tragos (‘goat’) and pogon (‘beard’). In some species, the involucral bracts contract before noon. During this contraction, the seeds protrude from the flowerhead, hereby resembling a goat’s beard. The name salsify is a corruption of late 17th Century French salsifis, from obsolete Italian salsefica, which is of unknown origin.

 

This plant is distributed from Kazakhstan and Xinjiang southwards to Afghanistan and thence eastwards to eastern Nepal, growing on open slopes and in grasslands, at elevations between 1,500 and 3,500 m.

Young fruits are edible.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘slender’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flowering takes place early in spring, from February to April, long before the leaves develop. The flowering stems, to 10 cm tall, elongated in fruit, are covered in whitish down, with scaly, purplish bracts. Flowerheads are solitary, terminal, to 3 cm across, nodding before and after flowering. The involucre is bell-shaped, covered in white down, to 1.8 cm long at fruiting. The bright yellow ray florets are very numerous, narrow, to 1 cm long, disc florets orange-yellow.

The leaves, all basal, appear after the flowers have withered. They are long-stalked, green above, white-woolly below, very broadly heart-shaped, almost circular in outline, to 14 cm across, margin wavy, with many or few teeth.

Leaves and young flowerheads are used medicinally for cough. In China, the plant is also cultivated as a honey plant.

The generic name, derived from the Latin tussis (’to cough’), refers to the usage of the leaves. The specific name is derived from farfarum, the classical Latin name of the plant. The common name was given in allusion to the shape of the leaves. An old name for the plant was Filius ante patrem (‘the son before the father’), referring to the fact that the flowers appear long before the leaves.

The role of colt’s-foot in European folklore is related on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is much discussed among taxonomists, whether these plants should be called Waldheimia or Allardia, as the year of publication of the latter name is uncertain. It seems that Waldheimia has priority (see P.K. Pusalkar & D.K. Singh 2005. Proposal to conserve the name Waldheimia against Allardia (Asteraceae–Anthemideae). Taxon 54 (2): 553-554).

 

This species is found in stony areas at altitudes between 3,500 and 5,500 m, from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan southwards through Afghanistan and Tibet to Pakistan, and thence eastwards to Bhutan.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘smooth’. The leaves are less hairy than those of the other members of the genus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in stony areas, distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to eastern Nepal and extreme southern Tibet, at altitudes between 4,000 and 5,400 m.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘of snow’, alluding to the plant growing at high altitudes.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows at elevations between 3,000 and 4,500 m, from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Xinjiang, and western Tibet southwards to Pakistan and Ladakh.

The specific name was given in honour of Ferdinand Stoliczka (see Tanacetum stoliczkae above).

 

 

 

 

 

It mainly grows in thallus (dead plant material) among rocks and in dry riverbeds, distributed from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan southwards through western Tibet to Afghanistan, and thence eastwards to western Nepal, at elevations between 3,600 and 5,200 m.

Locally, the plant is taken for fever, and an incense, called dhup, is produced from it.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from xanthion, from xanthos (‘yellow’), the classical Greek name of Xanthium strumarium (below), whose juice was utilized to dye the hair yellow. The term bur is used for several plants with hooked or spiny fruits, which easily spread by attaching themselves to animals’ pelts, people’s clothes, etc. The term is from Middle English burre, from the Norse burre (‘burdock’). The prefix cockle is of unknown origin.

 

In the Himalaya, it is restricted to the lower valleys, growing in a variety of open areas, including waste places, trails, field margins, and villages.

In Nepal, a paste of the plant is used as a sedative, diuretic, and diaphoretic, and a paste of the root is applied to swollen bones. Research indicates that an extract from this plant may subdue cancer.

The specific name indicates that the plant was formerly used for treatment of struma.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some species emit an odour, which attracts flies as pollinators, and several species are utilized in traditional medicine in certain Asian countries.

The generic name stems from the inflorescence of some members of the genus (including the species below), which is covered by bumps, resembling barnacles (family Balanidae).

 

It has a wide altitudinal range, found in forests at elevations between 400 and 2,600 m, from central Nepal eastwards to China and Taiwan.

The specific name is Latin, in a botanical context meaning ‘having male and female reproductive organs on separate plants’, ultimately derived from Ancient Greek dis (‘twice’) and oikos (‘house’).

B. involucrata is very similar, but the stems are red. It grows at higher altitudes in the Himalaya, between 2,100 and 3,400 m.

 

 

 

 

 

These plants are characterized by their fleshy, almost translucent stems, and the unique structure of their attractive flowers, having 3 or 5 sepals, of which the lower one is greatly enlarged to form a pouch with a spur, whereas the other 2 or 4 are small and greenish. There are 5 petals, of which the upper one is often helmet-like, whereas the 4 lateral ones are fused in pairs, the upper pair forming the wings, the lower pair the lip.

The common name balsam is in fact a misnomer. It was adopted from the garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina, below), which was brought to Europe by the Portuguese in the 16th Century. Originally, balsamine was a Greek name of an unidentified plant with an aromatic oil, derived from balsamon (‘balsam’), which in the Hebrew means ‘spice’ or ‘perfume’.

 

Balsam species are ubiquitous in the Himalaya, comprising at least 50 species, most of which bloom during the monsoon. As if the monsoon rain is not enough, some species often grow along streams or beneath waterfalls to benefit from the humid air.

The generic name, as well as the popular name touch-me-not, were given in allusion to the way these plants spread their seeds. As the fruit reaches maturity, a tension builds up inside the pod, causing it to ‘explode’ when touched, hereby spreading the seeds a considerable distance.

Many members of this genus are difficult to distinguish. If you are able to identify any of the species in the following 3 pictures, I should be happy to hear about it. You can use the address at the bottom of the page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plant is distributed from eastern Nepal eastwards to south-western China, growing in damp forests and shrubberies, and along irrigation canals, at altitudes between 1,800 and 3,200 m.

The flowers are used medicinally for various ailments, including abdominal pain, carbuncles, and difficulty in urination.

The specific name may be derived from Proto-Italic, meaning ‘to brighten’.

 

 

 

 

 

Stem erect, simple or branched, to 1 m tall, lower nodes swollen. Leaves are short-stalked, blade lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, smooth, pointed, to 12 cm long and 3 cm wide, with a pair of black glands at the base, margin deeply toothed. The stalkless flowers, single or 2-3 together, are in the leaf axils, to 2 cm long, pink, white, or purple. The pouch is slender, abruptly narrowed into a thin, curved spur, to 2.5 cm long. The flowering period is from July to October.

In Asia, this plant is widely used medicinally for a number of ailments, including rheumatism, fractures, warts, burns, and skin problems. In China, it was utilized to treat people who had been bitten by snakes or had ingested toxic fish. Vietnamese wash their hair with an extract of the plant to stimulate hair growth.

In Korea, the flowers are crushed and mixed with alum to produce an orange dye, used to colour fingernails.

The specific name is explained above, see genus.

 

 

 

 

 

It may be identified by its pink flowers, to 3 cm long, having a yellowish, brown-dotted pouch with a short, S-shaped spur, to 8 mm long, and 2 very long, slender ‘tails’. The leaves are elliptic, rounded-toothed, to 20 cm long and 6.5 cm wide. It flowers from June to September.

In Nepal, tender parts are cooked as a vegetable.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘having two horns’, referring to the standard, which has two sharply pointed projections, resembling horns.

 

 

 

 

 

This plant has a rather restricted distribution, from central Nepal eastwards to Bhutan, growing in forests and along streams, at altitudes between 2,300 and 3,600 m.

It is common in Nepal, where young shoots and leaves are often cooked as a vegetable.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘bearing a sickle’, alluding to the sickle-shaped wings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to Uttarakhand, growing in shrubberies and on grazing grounds, at altitudes between 1,800 and 4,000 m. It is widely cultivated and has become naturalized in many European countries, North America, New Zealand, and elsewhere. It is considered a noxious weed in many places, often forming large stands, which expel native species.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘bearing small glands’. The obsolete specific name was given in honour of British surgeon and naturalist John Forbes Royle (1798-1858), who is chiefly known for his works Illustrations of the Botany and other branches of Natural History of the Himalayan Mountains, and Flora of Cashmere.

This species, formerly known as I. roylei, very much resembles I. sulcata (below), but is generally lower, the leaves are narrower, and its capsules, to 3 cm long, are clearly club-shaped, thicker at the tip, not linear as in I. sulcata.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in damp forests and shrubberies, and on mossy slopes, at altitudes between 1,200 and 3,900 m, from Kashmir eastwards to Myanmar and south-eastern Tibet.

In Nepal, the seeds are pickled.

The specific name refers to the arrangement of the flowers, borne in racemes.

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Kashmir eastwards to Bhutan, growing in forests and shrubberies, and along streams, at elevations between 1,200 and 3,600 m.

In Nepal, it is fed to cattle in case of fever. The seeds are eaten, raw or pickled. A paste of the seeds is used for dyeing.

The specific name is derived from the Latin scaber (‘rough’), presumably referring to the robustness of the plant.

 

 

 

 

 

It is widespread, growing in a variety of habitats, including forests, shrubberies, and cultivated areas, at elevations between 1,800 and 4,000 m, from Kashmir eastwards to Bhutan. It is very common in Himachal Pradesh and Nepal.

In Nepal, ripe fruits are eaten, and seeds are pickled.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘having deep, narrow grooves’, ultimately from sulco (‘I plough’), presumably alluding to the imprinted leaf nerves.

It closely resembles I. glandulifera (above), but its leaves are blunt-tipped, and the capsules are linear, to 4 cm long and 3 mm wide, whereas they are clearly club-shaped in I. glandulifera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male and female flowers are quite different, the males having 4 petals, of which the outer two are rounder and broader than the inner ones. Female flowers have 5 or more petals, of almost equal size.

The generic name commemorates Michel Bégon (1638-1710), from 1684 governor of Saint-Domingue, a French colony on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, today named Haiti. Bégon was a passionate plant collector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is very common, growing in moist areas, on slopes or rocks, in shady forest margins, or along streams, found at altitudes between 600 and 2,900 m. It is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to south-eastern Tibet.

This species is widely used in traditional medicine. In Nepal, juice of the plant is taken for headache, juice of the root for inflamed eyes and peptic ulcer. The juice is also squeezed into vegetable dyes to make them colourfast. Leaf-stalk and stems are edible when pickled.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘painted’ or ‘decorated’, presumably alluding to the purple markings on the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows on moist rocks and banks, and slong shady forest margins, at altitudes between 600 and 1,800 m, distributed from central Nepal eastwards to Sikkim.

In Nepal, leaf-stalk and stems are pickled.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘reddish’, presumably referring to the reddish bracts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wood of many species is a source of a yellow dye, used for dyeing leather. Others are utilized medicinally. The Naga people of north-eastern India tie barberry spines together in a bamboo clip, called azialangba, using them as needles for tattooing.

The generic name was probably the classical Latin name of these plants, and the common name is a derivation of this name.

Previously, about 60 species were placed in a separate genus, Mahonia, but that genus is now included in Berberis. The obsolete genus was named in honour of Irish-American horticulturist Bernard McMahon (c. 1775-1816), who was the author of The American Gardener’s Calendar: Adapted to the Climates and Seasons of the United States (1806). He was also one of the botanists in charge of the plant collections from the Lewis and Clark expedition 1803-1806 (a small part of which is described on the page Animals – Mammals: Squirrels).

 

This plant is distributed from central Nepal eastwards to Arunachal Pradesh and south-eastern Tibet, growing in shrubberies, grasslands, and open areas, at elevations between 3,400 and 4,500 m.

The specific name refers to the angular branches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plant is distributed from Kashmir eastwards to Bhutan, at elevations between 1,800 and 3,500 m. It is also found in Central and South India, and in Sri Lanka. Habitats include shrubberies, cultivated land, and villages.

In Nepal, it is widely used in folk medicine for a large number of ailments, including inflamed eyes, jaundice, malaria, diarrhoea, and skin diseases. Among the Naga people of north-eastern India, the bark is crushed, soaked in water and drunk as a tonic, and to treat uterus problems and jaundice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to south-western China, growing on open slopes, and in shrubberies and cultivated areas, at elevations between 1,200 and 2,500 m.

The fruit is edible, raw or pickled, but must be eaten in small quantities, as it is a laxative. In Nepal, alcohol is made from fruits. Wood, bark, and leaves are taken for a number of ailments, including stomach trouble and toothache. The spiny branches are utilized as fences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in shrubberies and open areas, and along forest margins, at elevations between 1,800 and 4,000 m, from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to Myanmar. In Nepal, the branches are used as fences, and the fruits are eaten raw or pickled.

The specific name is derived from the Latin ceratus (‘waxy’), and Ancient Greek phyllon (‘leaf’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The branches are bright red or purple, with long spines, often as long as the leaves, which are up to 3 cm long and 1.4 cm wide, with 2-6 spines along the margin. Some leaves remain green on the bush throughout the winter, others turn red or a very delicate shade of cyclamen. The flowers are solitary, petals ovate, pale yellow, to 6.5 mm long. Flowering takes place June-July. The berry is oblong, to 1.6 cm long and 8 mm broad, dark red when ripe.

The specific name is a shortened form of the Latin concinnatus (‘harmonic’).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This species is common in grassy areas and shrubberies, found at elevations between 2.700 and 4,000 m, from Pakistan eastwards to eastern Nepal.

The specific name honours Czech missionary, botanist, and musician Heinrich August Jaeschke (1817-1883), who lived in Kielang, Lahaul, where he established a missionary house, working on a translation of the Bible into Tibetan, and a Tibetan-English dictionary. He was also a keen botanist, collecting plants.

 

 

 

 

 

The stems, to about 4 m high, have spines to 2 cm long, leaves lanceolate, spineless, to 4 cm long and 1 cm wide, abruptly narrowed to a sharp point. Inflorescences are axillary clusters, to 5 cm long, flowers to 8 mm across, dull yellow. The flowering period is from April to June. The edible berries, to 1 cm long, are a pretty blue, turning black when ripe, with a whitish bloom.

In Pakistan, an extract from root and stems is used as a tonic and as an eye lotion.

The specific name probably refers to similarity between this species and the common wolfberry (Lycium europaeum).

 

 

 

 

 

It is endemic to Nepal, found in open drier areas at altitudes between 2,100 and 4,500 m.

The specific name is derived from the Latin mucro (‘a sharp point’) and folium (‘leaf’), alluding to the leaf ending abruptly in a short, sharp spine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The spectacular leaves are shiny, elliptic or ovate in outline, to 60 cm long and 19 cm wide, with 5-12 pairs of sharp-pointed leaflets, to 10 cm long and 5 cm broad, with up to 20 teeth along the margin. It is gorgeous when flowering, displaying numerous clusters, to 25 cm long, of bright yellow flowers, petals to 7 mm long. It flowers in autumn and winter, from October to April. The blue or bluish-black berries are edible, raw or pickled.

In Nepal, juice of the bark is used for inflammated eyes, the fruit as a diuretic. The bark yields a yellow dye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plant is found at elevations between 1,900 and 3,400 m, from Uttarakhand eastwards to Myanmar, growing at forest margins and in open areas.

It was named in honour of Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854), who studied the Indian and Himalayan flora in the early 1800s (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stem to 45 cm, erect, smooth, fleshy. The long-stalked leaves, 2 or 3, are terminal, rounded in outline, to 25 cm across, with 3 ovate, toothed lobes, each to 12 cm long and 8 cm broad, veined below. The solitary flower, which emerges in early summer, before the leaves unfold, is cup-shaped, white or pink, to 5 cm across, petals 4-6, obovate to oblong, to 3 cm long and 1.5 cm broad. Stamens usually 6, yellow, half as long as the petals. Flowering occurs between April and June. The fruit is an ovoid or ellipsoid, drooping berry, to 5 cm long and 2.5 cm broad, scarlet or orange-red, many-seeded, with pulp. The fruit is edible when fully ripe, but toxic when unripe.

This plant is utilized for a large number of ailments, and today it is endangered due to excessive collecting. It is now protected, but illegal collecting still takes place. As of 2009, it was still prominent in Upper Langtang Valley, central Nepal.

The generic name is derived from the Latin sino (Chinese), and Ancient Greek poús (foot) and phýllo (leaf), thus ‘Chinese foot-leaf’, referring to the large and broad leaves. The English name refers to the early flowering of a related American species, Podophyllum peltatum. Formerly, they were regarded as belonging to the same genus, but Himalayan may-apple was moved to a separate genus in 1979.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek hexa (‘six’) and andros, genitive of aner (‘man’). Each flower has 6 stamens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most members of the family are native to temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, with some species in tropical mountains and in the Andes. Male and female flowers are borne in separate inflorescences, males in pendulous catkins and females mostly in upright spikes. The seed is a nut or, in Betula and Alnus, a winged nutlet.

 

The fruits are very distinctive, woody, resembling diminutive cones.

The generic name is the classical Latin name of alders. Some authorities connect the name with High German elo (’greyish-yellow’), and with Sanskrit aruna (’reddish-yellow’), referring to the fact that the wood of common alder (A. glutinosa), when cut, assumes a bright reddish-brown colour. The common name evolved from the Old English word for these trees, alor, which in turn derived from Proto-Germanic aliso.

 

It is distributed from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to south-western China, and also in Bangladesh and northern Indochina, growing at altitudes between 900 and 3,000 m. Habitats include forests, shrubberies, riverbanks, landslides, and cultivated areas. It is often one of the first trees to appear in landslides, where it forms pure stands, and it is widely planted to prevent landslides.

The wood is used for making boxes, furniture, and other light construction, and as firewood. The bark is used for dyeing and tanning. Juice of the bark is boiled, and the gelatinous liquid applied to burns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Celtic betu (’glue’), referring to the fact that Celts extracted a glue-like substance from birch sap. In certain areas with Gaelic-speaking peoples, including Wales and Brittany, birch is still called bezuenn or bedwen.

Several species of birch are presented on the page Autumn.

 

Male catkins slender, reddish, to 10 cm long, appearing before the leaves. Female spikes solitary, or 2-3 together, to 5 cm long and 1.2 cm broad when in fruit. It flowers from April to July. The nutlet is ovoid or ellipsoid, to 3 mm long, with membranous wings to 3 mm wide.

It is very common, often forming pure stands at altitudes between 2,500 and 4,300 m, from Afghanistan eastwards to western China. It also grows in shrubberies and open areas.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘useful’. Locally, the wood is used for building construction and as firewood. The bark is used as roof cover, and to make paper, and is also burned as incense. A paste of the bark is utilized for wounds and burns, a decoction of the bark for jaundice and earache, a paste of the resin for boils, and also as a contraception remedy. The foliage is lopped for fodder.

B. alnoides is similar, but its bark is often greyish-brown, the twigs are densely hairy, and flowering takes place Nov.-Dec. It is distributed from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to eastern China and northern Indochina, in the Himalaya found at elevations between 1,500 and 2,700 m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the classical Latin name, probably derived from Proto-Indo-European kar‎ (‘hard’), alluding to the hard wood of these trees. The common name is from Middle English hernbem, hern of uncertain meaning and origin, bem a corruption of the German baum (‘tree’).

Previously, members of this genus were placed in the now defunct family Corylaceae.

 

It grows in forests and open areas at altitudes between 1,200 and 2,700 m, distributed from Kashmir eastwards to eastern China and Korea, and thence southwards to northern Indochina.

The wood is utilized as fuel.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘used for wickerwork’. Presumably, the thinnest branches formerly had this usage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name refers to Baron Friedrich August Marschall von Bieberstein (1768-1826), who was an early explorer of the flora and archaeology of southern Russia, including the Caucasus and the region north of Crimea. He compiled a list of plant species from these areas.

 

It is restricted to dry, rocky and gravelly areas at high altitudes, between 4,200 and 5,600 m, distributed from Kazakhstan, central Siberia, and Mongolia southwards through Tibet to northern Pakistan and Ladakh. It is quite common in Ladakh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The family name refers to French abbot, statesman, and writer Jean-Paul Bignon (1662-1743). His protégé, botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (1656-1708), named the genus Bignonia after him in 1694.

 

It was named for French Jesuit Pierre Nicolas Le Chéron d’Incarville (1706-1757), missionary to China and amateur botanist. He introduced several important plants to Europe.

 

It is found from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to central Nepal, and also in Tibet and western China, at altitudes between 1,400 and 3,500 m. Habitats include shrubberies, and rocky and gravelly areas.

In Nepal, juice of the plant is used for toothache.

 

 

 

 

 

The family was named after the borage (Borago officinalis), which is native to the Mediterranean area and widely cultivated as a food plant and an ornamental. It is described on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry.

The popular family name is explained below (see Myosotis).

 

The generic name is derived from the Arabic name shajaret el arneb. The genus was established by Pehr Forsskål (1732-1763), an outstanding Swedish naturalist, who participated in the Royal Danish Expedition to Arabia (1761-1767), where he described hundreds of new species, plants as well as animals, often using local names. This expedition is related in depth on the page People: Pehr Forsskål – brilliant Swedish scientist.

 

This plant occurs in dry and stony areas, from Afghanistan eastwards to Ladakh and western China, northwards to southern Siberia and Mongolia. In Ladakh, it grows at elevations between 2,100 and 4,500 m.

In Ladakh, the root is used as a blood purifier, and to treat colds, cough, and pulmonary problems. The root yields a red dye, which is used for colouring dishes and sweets.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘spotted’ or ‘speckled’, referring to the flowers sometimes having purple spots.

 

 

 

 

 

An almost cosmopolitan genus with about 75 species, primarily found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. About 10 species occur in the Himalaya. The nutlets of these plants are usually covered in hooked bristles.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek kynos (‘dog-like’) and glossa (‘tongue’), alluding to the rough leaves. Thus, the English name is a direct translation of the generic name.

 

This species is widespread in Asia, found from Afghanistan eastwards to Japan, and thence southwards to Malaysia and the Philippines. In the Himalaya, it grows in meadows, on open slopes, and along trails, at elevations up to 3,000 m.

The specific name means ‘forked’ in the Latin, alluding to the forked inflorescences.

Some authorities regard this plant as being conspecific with C. zeylanicum, which is today generally considered to be restricted to South India and Sri Lanka.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is very widely distributed, found in Africa, and from the Middle East eastwards to China and Taiwan, and thence southwards to South India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In the Himalaya, it occurs up to elevations around 3,200 m, growing in meadows, on open slopes, and along trails.

The plant is utilized in local medicine.

The specific name refers to the leaf shape.

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to Nepal, at elevations up to at least 2,500 m, growing in meadows and on open slopes.

The specific name refers to the nutlets, which have several sharp, tiny hairs, called glochids, the name derived from Ancient Greek glokhis (‘the barb of an arrow’).

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek erion (‘wool’) and thrix (‘hair’), alluding to the silky-hairy leaves of these plants. The genus was split from Myosotis (below) in 1828 by German botanist and mycologist Heinrich Adolf Schrader (1767-1836), based on the dense hair cover and the hooked nutlets.

 

This species is found in dry areas, including stony and sandy areas, and scree, at elevations between 2,400 and 5,600 m, distributed from Xinjiang and Afghanistan southwards to Ladakh and northern Nepal.

The specific name is genitive of the Latin canis (‘dog’), thus ‘of the dog’. Maybe it is a derogatory term.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name alludes to clergyman and botanist Josef Hackel (1783-1869), professor of agriculture at a school in Bohemia (today the Czech Republic). The common name refers to the hooked bristles on the nutlets, which easily stick to a passing animal’s fur, or to people’s clothes.

 

It is very common in forests, shrubberies, and on open slopes at altitudes between 2,700 and 4,500 m, from Pakistan eastwards to south-western China.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘hooked’, alluding to the hooked bristles on the nutlets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name was given in honour of German lawyer and politician Friedrich Levin Freiherr von Lindelof (1794-1882).

 

Stem to 50 cm tall, lower leaves long-stalked, linear, to 20 cm long and 3 cm wide, with adpressed, greyish hairs, upper leaves much smaller. The flowers are bright blue, funnel-shaped, to 1.2 cm long, with protruding style. It blooms from June to August.

The specific name alludes to the likeness of this plant to members of the genus Anchusa (alkanets). Members of this genus are described on the pages Plants: Flora in Turkey, and Plants: Urban plant life.

 

 

 

 

 

This plant grows in dry grassy areas and on open slopes, distributed from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia southwards through Xinjiang, Gansu, and Tibet to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Ladakh, at altitudes between 1,200 and 4,700 m.

In Ladakh, it is collected for fodder.

The specific name alludes to the protruding style.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is probably derived from Sanskrit maha (‘great’) and Marathi ranga (‘colour’), alluding to the flowers in an inflorescence often having different colours.

 

This species grows in shrubberies, on humid rocks, and on open slopes, often near streams, at altitudes between 1,600 and 4,500 m, from Uttarakhand eastwards to south-eastern Tibet.

In traditional medicine, it has been used as a cooling agent, a laxative, to expel intestinal parasites, for eye diseases, bronchitis, abdominal pain, fever, and wounds. Juice of the root is used as a hair tonic.

The specific name is the genitive of Emodos, the Ancient Greek term for a part of the Himalaya, thus ‘of the Himalaya’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek mikros (‘small’) and hyle (‘woodland’), referring to the habitat of some members of the genus.

 

This plant grows in a wide variety of habitats, including open slopes, grasslands, shrubberies, grazing grounds, and field margins, at altitudes between 2,900 and 4,600 m, from western Nepal eastwards to Bhutan and western China.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek myos (’mouse’) and otis, which is the nominative plural of ous (’ear’), thus ‘mouse-ears’, alluding to the shape and hairiness of the leaves.

The name forget-me-not was first used in English by King Henry IV in 1398 – a direct translation of the German word Vergissmeinnicht. At least two legends explain the origin of the name. A French knight was walking along a river with his lady, when he noticed some beautiful blue flowers, growing at the waterside. When he bent down to pick them, his heavy armor caused him to lose his balance, and he fell into the water, where the armour dragged him below the surface. Before disappearing, he managed to toss the flowers to his lady, shouting “Ne m’oubliez pas!” This became the name of the flower, and it was translated into several other languages, including forget-me-not in English, Vergissmeinnicht in German, no-me-olvides in Spanish, gleym mér ei in Icelandic, etc.

The other legend says that God had assembled all the flowers in order to give each one a name. When God thought that he had finished his task, he turned to leave, but a small plant cried out: “Forget me not, O Lord!” – “That shall be your name,” he decided.

 

The erect stems may grow to 45 cm tall, but are often much lower, sometimes tufted, covered in soft hairs. Basal and lower stem leaves stalked, narrowly oblanceolate or linear, to 8 cm long and 1.2 cm wide, hairy, upper stem leaves sessile, smaller. Inflorescences to 15 cm long, corolla to 8 mm across, blue with white throat, encircled by 5 white or yellow scales. Flowering takes place June-August.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name means ‘false Mertensia’. Originally, the members were placed in the genus Mertensia, commemorating German botanist Franz Carl Mertens (1764-1831), who specialized in the field of phycology, the study of seaweeds.

 

It is found from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to western Nepal, growing in forests and on damp rocks, at elevations between 1,800 and 3,000 m.

The specific name alludes to the arrangement of the flowers in racemes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Petals are always 4 in number, arranged cross-wise, which has given rise to the alternative family name Cruciferae, from the Latin crux (‘cross’) and‎ ferae (‘bearing’). The fruit is a carpel, splitting into 2 valves, either less than 3 times as long as broad (a silicula), or more than 3 times as long as broad (a siliqua). A very difficult family, in which ripe fruits are often necessary for identification.

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek a (‘without’) and phragma (‘septum’, i.e. the dividing wall between the two halves of the fruit), alluding to the lack of fruit in some members.

 

It is distributed at altitudes between 3,300 and 5,600 m, growing in stony or gravelly areas in drier regions, from Tajikistan, Xinjiang, and Afghanistan eastwards across the Tibetan Plateau to south-western China.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek oxys (‘sharp’) and karpos (‘fruit’), alluding to the lanceolate fruits of this plant.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is Latin, meaning ‘a little box’, referring to the fruit, which resembles a small bag.

 

A very variable plant, sometimes to 70 cm tall, but often much lower, stem erect, smooth or sparsely hairy, often branched. Basal leaves in a rosette, stalked, oblong or oblanceolate, to 10 cm long and 2.5 cm broad, base wedge-shaped, margin usually deeply dissected, but sometimes entire or variously toothed, tip pointed. Stem leaves are stalkless, lanceolate or linear, to 5.5 cm long and 1.5 cm broad, clasping the stem, margin entire or toothed. Inflorescences are terminal or axillary, many-flowered, to 30 cm long in fruit. Petals are usually white, but sometimes pinkish or yellowish, obovate, to 5 mm long and 1.5 mm broad. In the Himalaya, it flowers most of the year.

The fruit is flat, inverted triangular, to 9 mm long and 6 mm broad. Its shape has given rise to the specific name bursa-pastoris (‘purse of a shepherd’), and many of the popular names of the plant, including shepherd’s purse, lady’s purse, witches’ pouches, rattle pouches, case-weed, and mother’s heart.

In Nepal, tender parts are cooked as a vegetable, and the seeds are used to kill mosquito larvae.

The role of shepherd’s purse in folklore and traditional medicine is described on the page Plants: Plants in folklore and poetry. In Nepal, tender parts are cooked as a vegetable, and the seeds are used to kill mosquito larvae.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek kardamon, the classical name of a kind of cress.

 

It grows in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, along rivers, and in disturbed places, in the Himalaya found up to elevations around 3,600 m. It is a native of Europe, but has become widely naturalized elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

This species is widely distributed, from Kazakhstan, southern Siberia, and Mongolia eastwards to Japan, southwards to the Himalaya, where it grows in damp shrubberies and forests, along streamsides, and among damp rocks, at altitudes between 2,100 and 4,200 m.

The specific name is derived from Proto-Indo-European makros (‘to increase’), and Ancient Greek phyllon (‘leaf’), thus ‘having large leaves’.

 

 

 

 

 

It is found at altitudes between 1,800 and 4,000 m, distributed from western Nepal eastwards to south-western China. Habitats include humid forests and shrubberies, meadows, and streamsides.

In Nepal, tender parts are cooked as a vegetable.

The specific name means ‘of violet colour’, alluding to the flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was named in honour of French naturalist, geologist, archaeologist, and palaeontologist Marie Gabriel Jules de Christol (1802-1861).

 

It is distributed from Tajikistan, Xinjiang, and Qinghai southwards across the Tibetan Plateau to Pakistan, Ladakh, and higher areas of Nepal, growing in grasslands and on rocky slopes, at altitudes between 3,300 and 4,700 m.

In Ladakh, tender shoots are consumed as a vegetable.

The specific name is derived from the Latin crassus (‘thick’) and folium (‘leaf’), referring to the fleshy leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name can be translated as ‘a Himalayan member of Cruciferae‘.

 

It is common in rocky areas, and on grazing grounds and flood plains, at elevations between 2,400 and 4,500 m, distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to south-western China.

In Tibet, flowers and leaves are utilized to treat meat poisoning.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek drabe, a kind of cress. The popular name whitlow-grass stems from an old belief that members of this genus were able to cure whitlow, i.e. inflammation at the end of a finger or toe.

 

This species is distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to Bhutan and the Yunnan Province, at altitudes between 3,200 and 5,000 m. Habitats include grasslands, stony slopes, and scree.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘very slender’, referring to the stems.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is a Latinized version of erysimon, the classical Greek name of a species of hedge-mustard, Sisymbrium polyceratium. Some authorities suggest that it stems from erymai (‘to protect’ or ‘to save’), presumably alluding to the usage of Sisymbrium species to cure inflammation of the throat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stem is erect, branched or unbranched, occasionally to 1 m high, but often much lower, leaves linear or lanceolate, to 10 cm long and 1.4 cm wide, toothed, pointed, upper leaves smaller. Petals to 1.5 cm long and 3.5 mm broad, orange or yellow. It flowers from May to July.

In Nepal, tender parts are cooked as a vegetable.

The specific name was given in honour of English botanist George Bentham (1800-1884), who is best known for his taxonomic classification of plants, in collaboration with British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911) (see Rhododendron dalhousiae). Their work, published as Genera Plantarum (1862-1883), served as a foundation for modern plant taxonomy. Bentham became president of the Linnaean Society in 1861, and a fellow of the Royal Society in 1862.

E. hieracifolium is also found in the Himalaya. It is quite similar to E. benthamii, but has almost entire, slightly toothed leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is the classical Greek word for dittander (below).

 

This plant grows at elevations between 400 and 4,800 m, from Kazakhstan and Xinjiang southwards to India, eastwards to Korea and Japan. In the Himalaya, it grows along trails, and in fallow fields, villages, and waste places, at altitudes between 2,600 and 4,800 m.

The specific name is Ancient Greek, meaning ‘without petals’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stem, to 1.5 m tall, is often woody at the base, many-branched. Leaves are bluish-green, elliptic or oblong, to 15 cm long and 5 cm wide, with toothed margin. The flowers are tiny, to 3 mm across, densely clustered in numerous inflorescences at the end of stem and branches, each with 25-50 flowers, petals to 2.5 mm long and 1.3 mm broad, white. In the Himalaya, flowering takes place from May to August.

In Ladakh, young parts are cooked as spinach. To remove the bitterness and peppery taste, they are first boiled and then soaked in water for two days. In the Chinese provinces Gansu and Shaanxi, the seeds are utilized medicinally.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘with broad leaves’.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is a classical Latin term for cress.

 

The original native area of this plant is disputed, but probably Europe or western Asia. For hundreds of years, it has been widely cultivated as a vegetable and has become naturalized in countless areas almost all over the world. In North America, for instance, it was consumed by native tribes at a very early stage.

In the Himalaya, it is common at altitudes between 1,500 and 4,000 m, from Pakistan eastwards to Myanmar.

Locally, it is widely used medicinally for fever, cough, and urinary problems, and as a diuretic. Research indicates that it may be able to suppress cancer.

Originally, officinale was derived from officina (‘workshop’, or ‘office’), and the suffix alis, which, together with a noun, forms an adjective, thus ‘made in a workshop’. However, in a botanical context, the word denotes plants species that were sold in pharmacies due to their medicinal properties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With its prostrate growth, thick leaf rosette, and the flowers arranged in the centre of the rosette, this species somewhat resembles a primrose (Primula), but is readily identified by 4 petals in the white flowers, which are short-stalked, to 1.5 cm across, petals rounded, to 1.3 cm long and 8 mm wide. The spatulate leaves, to 4.5 cm long and 1.6 cm wide, have up to 12 rounded teeth along the margin on the outer half. They are densely clustered in a thick rosette, to 15 cm across. Flowering takes place between May and July. The fruit is linear or oblong, to 1.5 cm long and 3 mm broad, often with curved tip.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek pyknos (‘compact’, ‘thick’), plinthos (‘plinth’), and opsis (‘appearance’), thus a free translation might be ‘the compact one, looking as if it is standing on a plinth’. Do you have a better suggestion?

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek thlaspis, a kind of cress. The popular name was given in allusion to the flat, circular fruits, shaped like coins.

 

The stem is erect, simple or branched above, smooth, usually below 50 cm tall, but sometimes to 80 cm. Leaves are oblanceolate, spatulate, or obovate, to 8 cm long and 2.3 cm wide, entire or coarsely toothed, apex rounded. Inflorescences are 30-70-flowered clusters, elongating to 25 cm in fruit. Petals white, spatulate, to 5 mm long and 2 mm broad. It has a long flowering period, from March to October. The fruit is very characteristic, circular or obovate, to 2 cm across, winged, notched at the apex.

The plant is foetid when crushed, and if cattle eat it, the milk may get tainted. Nevertheless, in Nepal tender parts are cooked as a vegetable. It is also used locally as a medicinal plant, and the seeds are a source of oil, used for lamps.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘of fields’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from pyksos, the classical Greek name of the common box (B. sempervirens).

 

It grows in shady forests and moist places at altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000 m, distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to central Nepal.

The foliage has a bitter taste due to the presence of alkaloids, and it is fatal to browsing animals, except goats. The wood is hard and durable, used for engravings, fine carving, geometrical and musical instruments, snuff boxes, and combs. Bark, wood, and leaves are utilized medicinally.

It was named in honour of Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854), who studied the Indian and Himalayan flora in the early 1800s (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above).

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek sarkos (‘flesh’) and kokkos (‘berry’), alluding to the fleshy drupe.

 

This species grows in forests and shrubberies at elevations between 1,000 and 3,600 m, from western Nepal eastwards to western China. It is very common in Nepal, where the powdered root is boiled and applied to treat gout.

The specific name honours British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911), who described numerous new plant species in the eastern Himalaya (see Rhododendron dalhousiae).

Sarcococca saligna, which grows in the western part of the Himalaya, is similar, but female flowers are in clusters, and the leaves are generally broader.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of this family are succulents, storing water in the stem, which means that they are able to continue growing during periods of drought. Shape and size vary enormously. The stem may be columnar, barrel-shaped, ball-shaped, or dome-shaped. In many genera, the stem is divided into segments, which may be broad and flat as in Opuntia (below), narrow and flat, or cylindric. Some genera are epiphytic.

In most cacti, the leaves are reduced to spines, and photosynthesis takes place in the green stem. The spines protect the plant from being eaten, provide some shade, and bend the dry desert wind, preventing it from reaching the stem, thus reducing evaporation. All cacti have small bumps on the stem, called areoles, which are also highly modified leaves. The flowers emerge from these areoles, each areole only producing one flower in its lifetime. As the plant grows, new areoles are formed. Glochids are short spines, often hair-like, which grow in clusters from the areoles. When touched, these glochids easily detach and get lodged in the skin, causing immense irritation.

The flowers are very showy in most species, and the fruit is often juicy and edible.

The word cactus is a Latinized version of Ancient Greek kaktos, a name originally used for an unknown spiny plant by Greek scholar and botanist Theophrastos (c. 371-287 B.C.).

Numerous photographs, depicting cacti, are shown on the page Plants: Cacti.

 

The genus is named for the Ancient Greek city of Opus, where, according to Theophrastos (above), an edible plant grew, which could be propagated by rooting its leaves – just like prickly pears can be propagated by rooting their stem segments. (Source: U. Quattrocchi 2000. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name stems from the Latin calceolus, diminutive of calceus (‘shoe’), given in allusion to the flower shape.

 

Flowers are arranged in small axillary or terminal clusters, sepals triangular, green or purple, glandular-hairy, to 8 mm long and 4 mm wide, corolla golden-yellow, smooth, upper lip to 3 mm long and 4 mm wide, hooded, concealing the anthers, lower lip bag-shaped, to 2 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. Flowering takes place May-August.

This species is native to Mexico, but has become widely naturalized elsewhere. In the Himalaya, it is found at elevations between 1,500 and 2,600 m, growing in shrubberies.

 

 

 

 

 

The family includes lobelias and allies, comprising about 1,200 species previously placed in a separate family, Lobeliaceae, which is now regarded as a subfamily, Lobelioideae, of Campanulaceae.

About 10 genera occur in the Himalaya.

 

The generic name was given in allusion to the bell-shaped flowers of this genus, from the Latin campanula (’little bell’).

Several species are described on the pages Plants: Flora of the Alps and the Pyrenees, and Flora in Turkey.

 

It grows on dry slopes in Tibetan country, from Pakistan eastwards to Uttarakhand, at altitudes between 2,100 and 3,000 m.

The specific name means ‘resembling Alsine‘, an obsolete genus in the family Caryophyllaceae, whose members have been transferred to the genera Stellaria and Minuartia. The leaves may resemble those of a member of this genus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Pakistan eastwards to Bhutan, growing on dry rock walls, stone walls, and banks, also in cultivated areas, at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,700 m.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek argyros (‘silver’) and thrix (‘hair’), alluding to the densely hairy leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

This species is widely distributed in forests and shrubberies, from Europe and West Asia eastwards to central Nepal. In the Himalaya, it grows at altitudes between 2,100 and 3,600 m.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘with broad leaves’.

 

 

 

 

 

This species is found on grassy slopes, in open woods, on stone walls, and in cultivated areas, distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to south-western China and northern Thailand.

In Nepal, juice of the root is used for dysentery and diarrhoea.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘pale’. Presumably, the type specimen had pale blue flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name means ‘resembling Codon‘, alluding to the similarity of the flowers to those of the genus Codon, of the family Boraginaceae. The common name refers to the broadly bell-shaped, very attractive flowers, not unlike an old-fashioned bonnet.

 

It grows in open woods and along fields, rivers, and irrigation canals, at altitudes between 1,700 and 4,200 m, distributed from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Xinjiang southwards through western Tibet to northern Pakistan, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh.

This species is widely used in traditional medicine for a large number of ailments, including infections, gout, arthritis, rheumatism, paralysis, and leprosy, the root for stomach ache, indigestion, fatigue, diarrhoea, vomiting, and cough.

The specific name means ‘resembling Clematis‘, a genus in the family Ranunculaceae (described on the page Himalayan flora 3). Its flowers resemble those of some species in this genus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This high-altitude plant grows in shrubberies and grassy areas at elevations between 3,600 and 5,300 m, from central Nepal eastwards to south-eastern Tibet.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘with leaves like Thalictrum‘, alluding to the small leaves, which resemble those of meadow-rue (Thalictrum, Ranunculaceae), described on the page Himalayan flora 3.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek kyanos (‘blue’) and anthos (‘flower’).

 

It grows in grassy areas and among rocks, distributed from western Nepal eastwards to western China, at altitudes between 2,100 and 5,300 m.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘rather grey’ or ‘coarse’. What it refers to is not clear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Himachal Pradesh eastwards to south-western China, growing in shrubberies and grassy areas at altitudes between 2,800 and 4,500 m.

In Nepal, juice of the root is utilized for peptic ulcer.

The specific name alludes either to the lobed leaves, or to the large lobes on the flowers – or both.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name commemorates Flemish physician and botanist Mathias de l’Obel, also known as Matthaeus Lobelius (1538-1616).

 

It is found at altitudes between 800 and 3,200 m, from Uttarakhand eastwards to Myanmar and the Yunnan Province. Habitats include forest margins, shrubberies, and grassy slopes.

The specific name honours Scottish botanist David Don (1799-1841), who described a large number of plants, including several genera from the Himalaya.

Previously, this species was regarded as a subspecies of the very similar Lobelia seguinii, which is today regarded as a purely East Asian plant. L. doniana differs in a number of characters, including toothed calyx lobes. L. pyramidalis is also similar, but blooms in Apr.-May.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name means ‘the false Codon‘, presumably alluding to the similarity of the flowers to those of the genus Codon, of the family Boraginaceae.

 

The native range of this plant is from central Nepal eastwards to Bhutan and extreme southern Tibet, growing in forests and shrubberies at elevations between 2,100 and 4,000 m.

The specific name honours English botanist Christopher Grey-Wilson (born 1944), who has participated in numerous expeditions to the Himalaya and has revised several plant genera from that area. For many years, he was research botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

It was previously considered a subspecies of Codonopsis convolvulacea, which is today regarded as a plant that is restricted to China, given the name Pseudocodon convolvulaceus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male and female flowers are on separate plants. Male inflorescences axillary or terminal, to 25 cm long, flowers yellowish-green, nodding, sepals ovate to lanceolate, to 4 mm long, petals absent, stamens 5, with yellow anthers, filaments thread-like. Female inflorescences crowded in upper leaf axils among leaf-like bracts, styles 2, protruding. It has a long flowering period, from April to October. The fruit is to 4 mm long, glandular-hairy, sticky.

The place of origin of this plant is uncertain, but probably the Himalaya or Central Asia. It is cultivated almost worldwide and has become naturalized in many places. In the Himalaya, it is ubiquitous in disturbed areas, including waste plots, fallow fields, and along trails, found up to elevations around 3,100 m.

Three intoxicants are obtained from hemp. Bhang is made from soaking the leaves in water and then drinking it. The effect is relatively mild. It is also mixed with sweets or desserts. Ganja, in the West called marihuana, pot, or grass, is more potent, consisting of dried flowers and upper leaves, which are smoked. The most potent drug, charas, in the West called hashish, is made from resin, exuded by the flowers. This resin is mixed with tobacco and smoked. During Hindu festivals, charas is smoked by sadhus (holy ascetics) to enter a different mental level, thus getting in contact with the gods. The plant is also worshipped by the Rai people of eastern Nepal.

Hemp is cultivated for fodder. Rope, cloth, and paper is made from the stem fibres. Leaves and seeds are utilized for various ailments, including diarrhoea and dysentery. The seeds are edible, pickled or roasted, and oil from them is used in production of paint, varnish, and soap.

The generic name is a Latinized version of the Ancient Greek name of hemp, kannabis. The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘sown’ or ‘planted’, alluding to its cultivation for thousands of years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to another Hindu legend, The Churning of the Milk Ocean, from the Bhagavata-Purana, the gods had become weakened and had been usurped by the asuras (demons). The gods appealed to the supreme god Vishnu for help, and he suggested that they should regain their power by drinking the miraculous amrita, the nectar of immortality, which they could obtain by churning the cosmic milk ocean, thus bringing the jar with amrita to the surface. However, Vishnu advised the other gods to treat the asuras diplomatically by suggesting them to jointly churn the ocean. When the amrita was brought to the surface, Vishnu would ensure that the gods got hold of it.

To perform this stupendous task, the gods and asuras uprooted the mountain Mandara, placing it upside down in the ocean, and coiling the giant, many-headed naga (serpent) Vasuki around it. By pulling alternately at each end of Vasuki, the mountain would act as a gigantic churn, thus bringing the pot, containing the amrita, to the surface. The churning also brought other valuable substances to the surface, including bhang and garlic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A large number of plants, which were previously included in this family, have been moved to other families.

 

The generic name is of Oriental origin, from the Persian word for caper, kabar.

 

It is distributed from southern Europe and North Africa across the Middle East to the Himalaya and Central Asia. In the Himalaya, it is restricted to dry and mostly stony areas, distributed from Pakistan to eastern Nepal, at elevations between 2,000 and 3,500 m. It is very common in Ladakh.

Locally, the leaves are lopped for fodder, whereas flower-buds and fruits are pickled or cooked as a vegetable. Medicinally, a paste of the root is applied to cure rheumatism, and juice of the root is used to expel intestinal worms.

The specific name alludes to the spiny stem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The family name is derived from Caprifolium, an older synonym for the genus Lonicera, from Proto-Indo-European kapros (‘goat’) and the Latin folium (‘leaf’).

 

The generic name is a Latinized version of dipsakos, the Ancient Greek name of fuller’s teasel (Dipsacus fullonum). The English name refers to the dried flowerhead of this plant, used for teasing or carding wool.

 

It is distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to south-western China, growing in shrubberies and cultivated areas, and on open slopes, at altitudes between 1,400 and 4,100 m.

Locally, it is cut for fodder.

The specific name means ‘unarmed’ in the Latin. As opposed to most other members of the genus, the stem of this species only has a few weak thorns.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name was applied by Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854) (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above) in honour of his friend William Leycester, a judge in Bengal, who was an ardent plant lover.

 

It grows in forests and shrubberies at elevations between 1,100 and 3,500 m, from Pakistan eastwards to south-western China. It is widely cultivated elsewhere and has become naturalized in many places. In Australia, New Zealand, and Micronesia it is regarded as a noxious invasive weed.

The plant is known by a number of popular names, including Himalayan honeysuckle, Himalayan nutmeg, granny’s curls, and pheasant berry, the latter alluding to the fact that birds eat the berries. The peculiar name granny’s curls was probably given in allusion to the quite bristly bracts, which may resemble an old woman’s uncombed hair.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘beautiful’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name was given in honour of German botanist Adam Lonitzer, also known as Adam Lonicer or Adamus Lonicerus (1528-1586), noted for his 1557 revised version of an herbal, Kreutterbuch von allem Erdtgewächs, published in 1533 by German physician Eucharius Rösslin the Younger (died 1554).

The name honeysuckle stems from the sweet nectar in the flowers of this genus. Some species are indeed fragrant, and several are cultivated as ornamentals. One such ornamental is Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), which has become a widespread pest in many countries. It is described on the page Nature: Invasive species.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plant is distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to south-western China, at elevations between 2,400 and 4,500 m. Habitats include forests, shrubberies, and riversides.

The fruits are edible. In Nepal, walking sticks are made from the branches.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘narrow-leaved’.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in shrubberies and on open stony slopes at altitudes between 2,400 and 4,000 m, from Afghanistan eastwards to south-western China. It is common in upper, drier valleys of Nepal.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘little myrtle’, presumably alluding to the leaf shape.

Recently, some authorities have moved this plant to a separate genus, naming it Devendraea myrtillus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plant is found in open areas and shrubberies at elevations between 2,400 and 4,400 m, from Afghanistan eastwards to Bhutan. It is one of the commonest high-altitude shrubs in Nepal.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘ovate, broadest above the middle’, alluding to the leaf shape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This species is common in forests and shrubberies at elevations between 1,800 and 3,000 m, distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to Bhutan.

The specific name is derived from the Latin quinque (‘five’) and‎ loculus (‘a small place’), thus ‘having five small rooms’. What it refers to is not clear.

 

 

 

 

 

It occurs in grasslands and shrubberies, along forest margins, and in scree, found at altitudes between 2,000 and 5,000 m, from Uttarakhand eastwards to western China.

The specific name is derived from the Latin rupes (‘rock’) and cola (‘a dweller’), thus ‘growing among rocks’.

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed in rocky areas, from the Tien Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan and western Xinjiang southwards across western Tibet to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Ladakh, growing at elevations between 3,000 and 4,300 m.

The specific name commemorates Russian geographer and explorer Pyotr Petrovich Semyonov (1827-1914), who was the first European to explore the Tien Shan Mountains, in 1856-1857.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in shrubberies and stony areas, often on scree slopes together with species of Caragana (Fabaceae). It is distributed at elevations between 1,700 and 4,600 m, from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan eastwards to western Xinjiang and Tibet, southwards to Afghanistan and Ladakh. It is very common in Ladakh.

The specific name alludes to the branches ending in a spine.

 

 

 

 

 

Formerly, these plants were included in the scabious family (Dipsacaceae), but were then transferred to a separate family, Morinaceae. However, recent genetic research has reduced these two families to a subfamily, Dipsacoideae, within the honeysuckle family.

The genus was named in honour of French physician, botanist, and meteorologist Louis Morin de Saint-Victor (1635-1715).

 

This species is found in shrubberies and grassy areas at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,300 m, from Kashmir eastwards to Bhutan.

Locally, the foliage is burned as incense.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘long-leaved’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It grows in open grassy areas at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,400 m, distributed from western Nepal eastwards to Myanmar.

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to Bhutan, growing in open grassy areas at elevations between 3,600 and 4,700 m.

In Nepal, the plant was previously used medicinally.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek polys (‘many’) and phyllon (‘leaf’), thus ‘many-leaved’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previously, these plants were placed in the scabious family (Dipsacaceae), but, following recent genetic research, this family has been reduced to a subfamily, Dipsacoideae, within the honeysuckle family.

The generic and common names refer to their former usage to curb scabies.

 

It is rather common in open grassy areas at altitudes between 2,400 and 4,300 m, found from Afghanistan eastwards to Uttarakhand.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘showy’ or ‘beautiful’.

 

 

 

 

 

Previously, these plants were placed in the family Valerianaceae, which has now been reduced to a subfamily, Valerianoideae, of the honeysuckle family.

The generic name is derived from the Latin valere (‘to be strong, healthy’), alluding to the medicinal properties of many valerian species.

 

It may grow to about 70 cm tall, but is often much lower, with one or several stems. Basal leaves long-stalked, ovate to heart-shaped, to 8 cm long, margin toothed or wavy, stem leaves few, variable, to 3 cm long, entire or pinnately lobed. The flowers are tiny, funnel-shaped, to 5 mm across, white or pinkish, in flat-topped terminal clusters. The flowering period is long, from February to August.

The specific name is composed of two parts, jata, which refers to a hairstyle with matted and entwined hair, sometimes rolled up on the crown of the head, as it is worn by the Hindu god Shiva, and by Hindu ascetics, sadhus. The second part is mansi, meaning ‘meat’, alluding to the fibrousness of the root of a related species, the spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi), which is likened to the ‘strings’ of meat. Spikenard was a sacred plant from ancient times in India.

In traditional Indian medicine, this plant is used for fever, blood and liver ailments, eye diseases, hysteria, hypochondria, and nervous disorder. A paste of the root is applied to wounds, and also to the forehead to relieve headache. In Nepal, a paste of the plant is applied to boils. The root is used for hysteria, insomnia, rheumatism, cholera, nausea, and pimples. The root and rhizome contain an essential oil, used as incense.

The species is threatened due to excessive collecting.

 

 

 

 

 

The family name takes some explanation. Pinks, or carnations, are flowers of the genus Dianthus, from Ancient Greek Dios (‘Zeus’) and anthos (‘flower’), applied by Greek scholar and botanist Theophrastos (c. 371-287 B.C.). The common and specific names of one member of the genus, the clove pink (Dianthus caryophyllus), stem from the clove-like fragrance of this plant. The Ancient Greek name of the clove-tree was karyophyllon, derived from karyon (‘nut’) and phyllon (‘leaf’), which was adopted by early botanists in the form Caryophyllus aromatica (today Syzygium aromaticum). The family name was linked to this species of pink by French botanist Antoine Laurent de Jussieu (1748-1836), known as the first person to publish a natural classification of flowering plants.

The term pink refers to the frilled edge of many members of the genus Dianthus. The verb ‘to pink’ dates from the 14th Century, meaning ‘to decorate with a perforated or punched pattern’. The colour of many Dianthus species gave rise to the term for the colour pink, not the other way around. The term carnation is believed to have been derived from the Latin corona-ae (a wreath, garland, or crown), as it was one of the flowers used in Greek and Roman ceremonial wreaths.

 

The generic name presumably refers to a member of the genus having leaves similar to those of Acanthus species.

 

It is distributed at elevations between 2,100 and 4,700 m, from Pakistan eastwards to Bhutan. Habitats include open grassy and rocky areas, riversides, and trails.

As its specific name implies, this plant resembles some species of mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium), but it may be identified by its purple-streaked flowers and long hairs along the margins of the otherwise sparsely hairy leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the Latin harena (‘sand’), earlier hasena, possibly from Etruscan. The name refers to the fact that many members of the genus often grow in sandy areas, which is also reflected in the English name.

 

It is distributed in dry Tibetan borderlands, from Kashmir eastwards to Sikkim, and on the Tibetan Plateau northwards to Qinghai, growing in open grassy areas, among rocks, and along gravelly rivers, usually at altitudes between 4,200 and 5,200 m. However, in 1921 it was found by A. Wollaston on Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) at an elevation of 6,180 m – the altitudinal record of any seed plant.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek bryon (‘moss’) and phyllon (‘leaf’), alluding to the tiny, moss-like leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from western Nepal eastwards to Bhutan, and thence northwards through eastern Tibet and western Sichuan to south-eastern Qinghai, growing among rocks and on scree at elevations between 3,600 and 5,500 m.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘very dense’, referring to the compact growth of this plant.

 

 

 

 

 

This plant is found in rocky areas and grasslands, from southern Xinjiang and Qinghai southwards across the Tibetan Plateau to Pakistan, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, growing at altitudes between 2,000 and 4,700 m.

The specific name means ‘resembling Festuca’ (fescue), alluding to the grass-like leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

It grows among rocks, on scree, and in grassy areas at altitudes between 4,300 and 5,500 m, from Kashmir eastwards to south-eastern Tibet, and thence northwards to western Sichuan and Qinghai.

The specific name is derived from Ancient Greek polys (‘many’) and thrix (‘hair’), and the Latin oides (‘resembling’), thus ‘looking as if it has many hairs’, alluding to the sharp points of the densely packed leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek keras (‘horn’), alluding to the horn-shaped capsules, which protrude from the calyx.

 

In the Himalaya, it is restricted to the drier western parts, occurring from Pakistan eastwards to Himachal Pradesh, growing on stony slopes and in grasslands at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,800 m. It is common in Ladakh and Lahaul.

A lax, hairy herb with creeping or ascending stems, to 15 cm long, leaves linear or lanceolate, to 2 cm long and 3 mm wide, pointed. Flowers axillary, stalked, often 3-7 together, rarely solitary, the stalk recurved in fruit. Sepals broadly lanceolate, green, turning purple with age, to 7 mm long. Petals white, conspicuously bi-lobed, obovate, to 1.2 cm long. Blooming takes place between May and August.

The specific name means ‘resembling mouse-ear chickweed’, which seems rather strange, as it is a species of mouse-ear chickweed! The simple explanation is, that originally the plant was named Stellaria cerastoides by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778). He regarded it as a kind of starwort (Stellaria), as it differs from other members of Cerastium in having only 3 styles (like Stellaria), and a straight, 6-toothed capsule, rather than a curved one as in most of the other species. So why it was moved to Cerastium is a bit of a mystery to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The genus was named in honour of Catalan botanist and pharmacist Joan Minuart i Parets (1693-1768), who played an important role in the creation of the Royal Botanical Garden in Madrid.

 

This species is found in dry, stony areas at elevations between 1,500 and 5,100 m, from Afghanistan eastwards to western Nepal and southern Tibet. It is common in Ladakh.

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name refers to the Greek woodland god Silenus, a satyr with ears and tail like a horse. He was the tutor of Dionysos, the god of wine. Silenus is often depicted drunk, covered in sticky foam from the wine. His name is derived from Ancient Greek sialon (‘saliva’). The connection to the plant genus is that the female flowers of some species, including red campion (S. dioica), secrete a frothy foam, which aids in capturing pollen from visiting insects.

The popular name catchfly refers to the strongly glandular-hairy stem and leaves in many species, where small insects often get stuck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a common field weed, and also grows on stone fences and along trails. It is distributed in North Africa, and from south-eastern Europe across Russia and the Middle East eastwards to Xinjiang, western Tibet and western Himalaya, from Pakistan eastwards to central Nepal, at altitudes between 1,200 and 3,300 m.

The specific name means ‘cone-shaped’. It is quite similar to striped corn catchfly (S. conica) of Europe and western Asia, but the calyx is generally larger, 2-3 cm long vs. 13-18 mm, and the capsule is also larger, 15-18 mm long vs. c. 8 mm. (Source: alienplantsbelgium.be)

 

 

 

 

 

This plant grows at forest margins and in shrubberies at altitudes between 2,500 and 4,500 m, distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to central Nepal.

The specific name alludes to Kumaon, a district in Uttarakhand. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

 

 

 

 

This species is found in dry rocky areas in the western part of Central Asia, from Kazakhstan southwards to Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, and Ladakh, growing at elevations between 3,600 and 4,800 m. It is quite common in Ladakh.

The specific name refers to the long carpophore, the stalk that in this genus separates stamens, petals, and ovary (and eventually fruit) from the base of the calyx.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This species is common in rocky areas and among gravel, growing at altitudes between 2,700 and 5,000 m, from Afghanistan eastwards across Pakistan, Ladakh, south-western Tibet, and Himachal Pradesh to central Nepal.

It is utilized medicinally for anaemia, and to relieve blocked nose and ears.

The specific name was given in honour of British veterinary surgeon and botanist William Moorcroft (1765-1825), who explored several areas in the Himalaya and Central Asia. He was the first European to make botanical collections in western Tibet and Kashmir.

 

 

 

 

 

It is restricted to central Nepal and adjacent areas of southern Tibet, at altitudes between 2,300 and 4,700 m, growing in a wide variety of habitats, including rocky areas, sandy slopes, and open grasslands.

Identification of this species, and information on it, were kindly provided by Dr. Magnus ‘Lärksporre’ Lidén, Uppsala University, Sweden.

The specific name was given in honour of British surgeon and botanist Thomas Thomson (1817-1878), who assisted in writing the first volume of Flora Indica.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very widespread species, found in North Africa and almost all of Europe, across temperate areas of Asia eastwards to Mongolia and northern China. In the Himalaya, it is restricted to the western part, from Pakistan eastwards to central Nepal, growing in grasslands and rocky areas, and on stone fences, at elevations between 1,500 and 4,000 m.

The specific name means ‘common’ in the Latin, i.e. it is common in northern Europe, where it was described.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from the Latin stella (‘star’), alluding to the shape of the flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This species is distributed in dry areas, from Pakistan eastwards across the Tibetan Plateau to western China, growing on stony slopes and in grassy areas at altitudes between 3,000 and 6,000 m.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘lying down’, ‘prostrate’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is very widespread, distributed in all of Europe, Siberia, and the Middle East, and in parts of Central Asia and China. It has also become naturalized elsewhere, esp. in North America.

In the Himalaya, it grows in grassy or stony areas at elevations between 1,400 and 4,000 m, from Pakistan eastwards to Nepal. It is very common in Helambu, central Nepal.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘grass-like’, alluding to the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is distributed from Kashmir eastwards to Nepal, growing in shrubberies and on open slopes at altitudes between 2,600 and 3,400 m.

 

 

 

 

 

It is very widespread, a native from Iceland eastwards to eastern Siberia, southwards to Ethiopia, India, and China, but has become naturalized almost worldwide, esp. in North America. In the Himalaya, it is ubiquitous in open ares, including fields and villages, and along trails, found at elevations between 1,000 and 2,700 m.

This plant is widely consumed as a healthy vegetable, and poultry are very fond of it, giving rise to the name chickweed.

It is a notorious weed of lawns and vegetable gardens. In his delightful book All about Weeds, American botanist Edwin Spencer (1881-1964) says: “One of the meanest of the lawn weeds is that little, crawling member of the pink family known as chickweed. Filled with a vitality even suprior to that of bluegrass [meadow-grass, Poa], it is on the job as soon as the frost is out of the ground, and long before the grass is ready to cut, this pest is in full bloom and spreading itself.”

 

 

 

 

 

This plant is distributed from Iran eastwards across southern Tibet and the Himalaya to Taiwan, and thence southwards to Thailand and Vietnam. In the Himalaya, it grows in forests and shrubberies, and on grassy slopes, at elevations between 1,200 and 3,600 m.

In Nepal, tender parts are cooked as a vegetable, and juice of the root is used to treat diarrhoea in cattle.

Literally, the specific name means ‘involving a single sperm cell’, but in a botanical context it means ‘one-seeded’.

 

 

 

 

 

This hardy species grows in rocky and gravelly areas at high altitudes, between 4,800 and 6,000 m, from northern Pakistan eastwards to northern Sikkim, and thence northwards to Qinghai and Gansu.

In Ladakh, where it is an important source of fuel, it is threatened due to over-collecting.

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek thylakos (‘sack’, ‘bag’) and sperma (‘seed’), thus ‘with seeds looking like a bag’. (However, the name refers to the capsule, see bottom picture below).

The specific name is Latin, derived from caespes (‘turf’ or ‘sod’) and osus (‘full of’), thus ‘very much resembling turf’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initially, these plants were placed in the family Saxifragaceae, later in a separate family, Parnassiaceae. Following genetic research, they have been moved to the spindle-tree family.

The generic name is derived from Parnassos, a mountain near Delphi, which, in Ancient Greek mythology, was the abode of the Muses. In his Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes, English herbalist John Gerard (c. 1545-1612) mentions the names Grasse of Parnassus and Gramen Parnassi. In fact, the name of these plants dates back to Greek physician, pharmacologist, and botanist Pedanius Dioscorides (died 90 A.D.), author of De Materia Medica, five volumes dealing with herbal medicine. In this work, the description of the plant is quite skimpy: “It has leaves similar to those of ivy, a white fragrant flower, [and a] small fruit which is not useless.” (Source: stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/26399)

It seems that the name Grass of Parnassus was given in allusion to the fact that cattle, grazing on Mount Parnassos, relished these plants, which seems quite strange, as they are poisonous – at least to people, but maybe not to cattle.

 

This species grows in open wet habitats in dry areas, distributed from Afghanistan eastwards to Ladakh, at elevations between 2,100 and 4,600 m. It is common in Ladakh.

The specific name refers to Kabul, Afghanistan. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

 

 

 

 

 

This species grows in damp forests and open wet places at elevations between 2,800 and 4,300 m, from Kashmir eastwards to Bhutan and the Yunnan Province.

In Nepal, juice of the root is applied to wounds.

The specific name is derived from the Latin nubes (‘cloud’) and colo (‘to inhabit’), alluding to the high altitudes this plant is growing at.

 

 

 

 

 

The several stems may grow to 30 cm tall, but are often lower. Basal leaves are 2-5, stalked, blade broadly heart-shaped, to 5 cm long and 6.3 cm broad, with 7-9 veins, tip usually rounded. The single stem leaf is smaller, often with rusty-brown appendages at the base.

It is distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to China and northern Thailand. In the Himalaya, it grows in a wide range of habitats, including open forests, grasslands, and along trails, at elevations between 1,500 and 3,600 m.

Locally, it is utilized medicinally.

The specific name was given in honour of Scottish surgeon and botanist Robert Wight (1796-1872), who spent most of his life in southern India, where he was the leading botanical taxonomist, describing 110 new genera and 1,267 new species. He published a series of illustrated works in Madras, including the six-volume Icones Plantarum Indiae Orientalis (1838–53), the Illustrations of Indian Botany (1838–50), and Spicilegium Neilgherrense (1845–51).

 

 

 

 

 

These plants were previously included in the family Capparaceae, but, following genetic research, they have been moved to a separate family.

 

The origin of the generic name is obscure.

 

The stem is unbranched or with a few branches, smooth, to 1.5 m tall. Leaves digitate, with 5-9 lanceolate or elliptic, long-pointed leaflets, to 15 cm long and 5 cm broad, margin entire or toothed. The flowers are long-stalked, arranged in large terminal clusters to 30 cm across, or sometimes more, each flower with 4 spatulate or ovate, long-stalked petals, white in bud, later pink or purple, quickly fading to white, to 4.2 cm long and 1 cm wide, with thread-like, purplish-white stamens and a purple ovary protruding far beyond the petals. It flowers August-October.

Locally, the leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘showy’ or ‘beautiful’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This species is found from Uttarakhand eastwards to south-eastern China, southwards to Sri Lanka and Indonesia. In the Himalaya, it grows in forests and shrubberies at elevations between 700 and 3,000 m, usually above 1,500 m.

The specific name refers to Canton, the English name of the Chinese province Guangdong. Presumably, the type specimen was collected there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stem is twining, to 6 m long or more, leaves are extremely variable, ovate, heart-shaped, or tri-lobed, to 15 cm long and 14 cm across. The inflorescence is a dense cluster of funnel-shaped, bright blue, purplish, pink, or red flowers, to 7.5 cm long and 7 cm across. Flowering takes place June-September.

The place of origin of this species is unknown. Today, its distribution is pan-tropical, and it is also found in some subtropical areas. In the Himalaya, it may be found up to elevations around 2,100 m. Habitats include forest edges, shrubberies, villages, and along trails.

It is regarded as an unwanted invasive species in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, California, Portugal, and elsewhere.

It is quite similar to I. nil and I. purpurea (both presented below). However, I. purpurea usually has darker, narrow streaks radiating from the centre of the flower, and I. nil has stiff hairs at the base of the sepals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of the species are difficult to distinguish. If you are able to identify any of the species in the following 4 pictures, I should be happy to hear about it. You can use the address at the bottom of the page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The plant was observed near the village of Thangshyap, Langtang National Park, central Nepal, growing among mani stones (stone slabs with engraved Buddhist mantras). Mani stones and other Buddhist structures are described in depth on the page Religion: Buddhism.

 

 

 

 

 

This species is distributed from Kashmir eastwards to western China, growing in shrubberies and on open slopes at elevations between 2,600 and 4,800 m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The generic name is derived from Ancient Greek trichos (‘hairy’) and anthos (‘flower’), alluding to the fringed petals of many of the species.

 

This species is distributed from Uttarakhand eastwards to Bhutan, found in forests and shrubberies at elevations between 600 and 2,100 m.

In Nepal, juice of the fruit is taken for liver ailments.

The specific name honours French naval apothecary Jules Joseph Lépine (1817-1884). In India, he discovered a beneficial chemical, vallarine, in the plant Hydocotyle asiatica.

Previously, it was thought that Himalayan plants belonged to T. tricuspidata. Today, this species is considered to occur only from Indochina southwards to Indonesia. Also, it was believed that it occurred east of the Himalaya, but plants from Arunachal Pradesh eastwards across Indochina to southern China are now regarded as a distinct species, T. inthanonensis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This species is distributed from Tajikistan, Xinjiang, and Qinghai southwards across the Tibetan Plateau to Afghanistan and the drier northern areas of the Himalaya, eastwards to Sikkim. In the Himalaya, it is found in open stony areas at altitudes between 2,400 and 5,300 m.

An alkaloid, ephedrine, is extracted from the plant. Juice of the plant is said to stimulate the heart. In Nepal, stems are collected as fuel and for fodder. The crushed plant, mixed with water, is used to treat skin problems, asthma, and hay fever. It is also given to children to control bed-wetting. In Ayurvedic medicine, tea made from the plant is taken for colds, cough, bronchitis, asthma, and arthritis.

The specific name was applied by Danish botanist and surgeon Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854) (see Strobilanthes atropurpurea above) in honour of English herbalist John Gerard (c. 1545-1612), who published a large work on herbal medicine, Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is widely distributed, from India and Sri Lanka eastwards to southern China, and thence southwards to the Malayan Peninsula. It grows in forests, shrubberies, and open areas, in the Himalaya up to elevations around 1,800 m.

On older trees, the bark is very thick and rough, and the branches have many scars from shed foliage. Leaves are stalked, elliptic, to 20 cm long and 11 cm wide, pointed, margin toothed, with many lateral veins.

The flowers appear early in spring, before the leaves. They are tiny, red or yellow, clustered in terminal upright spikes, to 10 cm long, which may be either male or female, or males and females on the same spike, males above and females below. Flowering takes place in March-April. The fruits are chocolate-brown, globular, to 8 mm across, clustered on spikes up to 50 cm long. They ripen between May and December.

The latex is poisonous, utilized for stupefying fish. According to a tribal medicine man, it is so toxic that it can blind a person. The fruits are a popular food item of green pigeons of the genus Treron.

The generic name was given in honour of Scottish geologist, botanist, and palaeontologist Hugh Falconer (1808-1865), who studied flora, fauna, and geology of India and Myanmar. He was the first to discover the Siwalik fossil beds, and may also have been the first person to unearth a fossil ape.

The specific name is Latin, meaning ‘remarkable’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male organs in a flower are called stamens, divided into a long, thread-like filament and a terminal anther, from which the pollen, tiny grains containing the male cells, is spread.

The female organ is called a carpel, comprising the egg-producing ovary, an often long, columnar style, on the end of which sits the stigma, which receives the pollen during fertilization.