Regions: West India

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

A white-backed fern that colonises damp walls and cut slopes on its own.

Long hanging chains of maroon and yellow flowers — the Mysore clock vine.

The wild jack of Malabar — timber for boats and fruit for the monkeys.

Pale crisp fruit that smells of rose water, on a small spreading evergreen.

A floating rosette that shades a tub and starves the algae — but a weed if it escapes.

Half the country’s calories — and a bucket of it on a terrace teaches more than any book.

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

The souring fruit of Kerala fish curry, dried black and kept all year.

The Malabar nutmeg of swampy Ghats forest — a myristica swamp indicator species.