Regions: Central India

The sanjeevani of the rocks — curls up bone dry, then greens again in an hour of rain.

The kodo of the Deccan and central hills — drought-proof and long-storing.

A short-season millet of the northern hills, sown when the season has been lost.

Flame-red reflexed petals on a climbing lily — the state flower of Tamil Nadu.

The tall reed of Indian riverbanks, and the standard plant for a reed-bed filter.

The palmarosa of the Deccan, distilled for a rose-scented oil.

The kusha grass of ritual, holding sandy soil across the northern plains.

Silver plumes across the riverbanks after the monsoon; the kans of the floodplain.

The anjan of dry pasture — a fodder grass that greens the Thar within days of rain.

The world’s most stubborn weed, and an aromatic tuber used for centuries.