The Soul of the Soil

Samanea saman

Urakkamthoongi Maram

The Rain Tree is a giant shade tree known for its umbrella-shaped canopy and "sleepy" leaves that fold during rain or at night.

Mangifera indica

Mavu

The Mango Tree is an evergreen known as the King of Fruits. It provides dense shade and can live for over 300 years.

Guva

A hardy tropical tree famous for its nutritious fruit and medicinal leaves, highly valued for health benefits.

Catharanthus roseus

Nithyakalyani

The Madagascar Periwinkle is a beautiful flowering plant that blooms year-round and has significant medicinal properties.

Manilkara zapota

Chikoo

Produces sweet, brown fruits with a grainy texture. This evergreen is a staple in tropical orchards.

Coffea arabica

Coffee

A glossy-leaved evergreen that thrives under the shade, producing the beans for our favorite morning brew.

Cocos nucifera

Coconut Tree

A tall palm widely cultivated in Kerala. It bears coconuts throughout the year and is the tree of life.

Syzygium cumini

Jamun

Jamun is a large evergreen tree native to India. It bears deep purple fruits with medicinal value.

Cycas revoluta

Sago Palm

A slow-growing ornamental plant with a thick trunk and stiff, feather-like leaves arranged in a crown.

Terminalia catappa

Betham

A large tropical tree with almond-like seeds. Commonly planted for its expansive shade.

Citrus limon

Lemon

A small evergreen tree grown for its citrus fruit and medicinal properties.

Lawsonia inermis

Henna

Henna is a small shrub or tree with thin branches and small opposite leaves. Its leaves are used to make natural dye for body art and hair coloring. The plant is also known for its medicinal and cooling properties.

Muntingia calabura

Indian Cherry

Indian Cherry is a small to medium-sized fast-growing tree with serrated, alternate leaves. It produces small red edible fruits that are sweet and attractive to birds. The tree is commonly planted in schools and open areas for shade and quick growth.

Ficus religiosa

Peepal Tree

Peepal is a large deciduous tree with heart-shaped leaves and a long tapering tip. It is considered sacred in India and commonly found near schools, temples, and roadsides. The tree is known for its longevity, shade, and environmental importance.

Ficus microcarpa

Indian Laurel

Indian Laurel is a large evergreen fig tree with small, smooth, glossy leaves. It forms a dense canopy and is widely planted in campuses and public places for shade. Unlike the Banyan, it usually lacks prominent aerial roots.

Delonix regia

Gulmohar

Gulmohar is a fast-growing ornamental tree with feathery bipinnate leaves. It is famous for its bright red flowers during summer. The tree provides light shade and is widely planted along roads and campuses.

Polyalthia longifolia

Ashoka Tree

Ashoka tree is a tall, evergreen ornamental tree with long, narrow, glossy leaves. It is commonly planted along roadsides and in campuses for its straight growth and dense foliage

Calophyllum inophyllum

Alexandrian laurel

Calophyllum inophyllum is an evergreen tree with thick, glossy, opposite leaves showing distinct parallel veins. It is commonly found in coastal and tropical regions of India and South Asia. The tree is valued for its medicinal oil, shade, and ornamental beauty.

Musa paradisiaca

Banana plant

The banana plant is a large perennial herb with broad, elongated leaves and a false trunk made of tightly packed leaf bases. It grows rapidly in tropical climates and produces banana bunches after flowering.

Aegle marmelos

Koovalam

Koovalam is a sacred deciduous tree with trifoliate aromatic leaves. It is associated with Lord Shiva and widely grown in India. Its leaves and fruits are used in Ayurveda for digestive disorders.

Tectona grandis

Teak

A single, straight, cylindrical trunk; the root system is typically superficial lateral roots and a taproot, but no aerial roots

Euphorbia neriifolia

Ilakkalli

This succulent shrub is known for its fleshy, five-angled stems and sharp thorns. It contains a milky white latex used in traditional medicine for treating skin and ear ailments.

Rivina humilis

Raktha nelli

This perennial herb is known for its drooping clusters of small white flowers and bright red berries. It contains pigments used as a natural dye, though the berries are generally considered toxic for human consumption.

Averrhoa bilimbi

Irumbampulli

his tropical tree is known for its small, greenish, cylindrical fruits that grow in clusters directly from the trunk. The fruit has an extremely sour flavor and is commonly used in pickles, curries, and traditional medicine for its high acidity.

Ochna serrulata

Ochna

This ornamental shrub is known for its bright yellow flowers and distinct black seeds that hang from red sepals. It is often called the Mickey Mouse plant because the arrangement of its dark fruit resembles the famous cartoon character's face.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

hibiscus

This evergreen shrub is known for its large, trumpet-shaped flowers with prominent, colorful petals and long protruding stamens. The plant is widely cultivated for ornamental purposes and is used in traditional medicine and hair care for its cooling properties.

Mussaenda erythrophylla

musanda

This evergreen shrub is known for its large, colorful bracts that surround small, star-shaped flowers. It is a popular ornamental plant in tropical gardens, valued for its long-lasting and vibrant display of foliag

Ocimum tenuiflorum

Tulasi

This aromatic perennial herb is known for its serrated leaves and small purple or white flower spikes. It is highly revered for its medicinal properties and its significant spiritual importance in traditional Indian households.

Crotalaria retusa

Kilukkampetti

This tropical shrub is known for its bright yellow flowers and distinctive inflated seed pods.

Nerium oleander

Aralli

This evergreen shrub is known for its clusters of funnel-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or red.

Hemigraphis alternata

Murikootti

This prostrate herb is known for its metallic purple leaves and small, bell-shaped white flowers.

Abelmoschus esculentus

lady finger

This flowering plant is known for its green, elongated seed pods that contain a characteristic mucilaginous substance.

Capsicum annuum

Chilly

This pungent herb or subshrub is known for its hollow, seed-filled fruits that contain capsaicin. It is widely cultivated for its spicy flavor and is used globally as a primary spice, vegetable, and medicine.

Aglaonema commutatum

Aglaonema

This popular evergreen perennial is known for its large, oval leaves featuring striking patterns of silver, green, or red. Commonly called Chinese Evergreen, it is highly valued as an indoor plant for its ability to thrive in low-light conditions.