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Grihvatika Knowledge Centre

Goals: Biodiversity

Assam Lemon (कागजी नेमु), Citrus limon var.
Ashoka

Orange flower clusters straight off the trunk — a sacred tree, now threatened.

Assam Lemon (कागजी नेमु), Citrus limon var.
Palash

Flame of the forest — bare branches and orange flowers through the dry spring.

Assam Lemon (कागजी नेमु), Citrus limon var.
Parijat

Drops its scented white flowers at dawn — the harsingar of temple courtyards.

Assam Lemon (कागजी नेमु), Citrus limon var.
Sonchampa

Golden champa — a tall tree whose flowers are sold by the handful at dusk.

Marigold (गेंदा), Tagetes erecta
Marigold

Companion-planting workhorse: keeps nematodes down and feeds bees all season.

Foxtail Orchid (द्रौपदी माला), Rhynchostylis retusa
Hibiscus

Flowers nearly all year in a warm city, and sunbirds find it within a week.

Tree Tomato (तमरिल्लो), Solanum betaceum
Buckwheat

A Himalayan pseudo-grain that flowers white and feeds every bee for miles.

Tree Tomato (तमरिल्लो), Solanum betaceum
Pigeon Pea

A shrubby pulse that stands two years, fixes nitrogen and shelters small birds.

Tree Tomato (तमरिल्लो), Solanum betaceum
Sesame

Upright, bell-flowered and ancient; the oilseed of the dry season.

Resurrection Fern (संजीवनी), Selaginella bryopteris
Rosha Grass

Palmarosa — a scented grass of the central hills, distilled for its rose-like oil.