Plant Biodiversity in Shimla: Wild Fruits in May

May is so beautiful:
Orchards are fair;
Branches of fruit trees
Make gardens of air.

Flowers of fragrance
Bloom in the light;
Fall like the snowflakes
Showering white.

Orchards of heaven
Grow with a grace,
And like a blessing
Perfume the place.  

•  Helen Maring 

       May is a time for many wild fruits and beautiful blooms in this region in the North West Himalaya. These wild fruits are cherished by one and all either from the wild or purchased from roadside venders. Some of them are listed below:

1. Box Myrtle, Bayberry

 Hindi: Kaiphal, Kaphal
Shimla: Kale bhaure

Sanskrit: Katphala, Mahavalkala
Botanical name: Myrica esculenta   

Synonym: Myrica sapida
Family: Myricaceae (Bayberry family)

Kaphal is one of the many delicious wild fruits found throughout mid-Himalayan region. The fruit are deep-red colored similar to raspberries.   

  

2. Yellow Himalayan Raspberry

Hindi: Lalanchu, Hinsal

Vernacular Names: Heer हीर, Achhu आछू, Bhumla भूमला (रोहड़ू), Akhe (आखे),  Akhre आखरे

Botanical name: Rubus ellipticus   

Synonym: Rubus rotundifolius
Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)

It is also a very tasty wild fruit found in the North West Himalaya.

Plant Biodiversity in Shimla (H.P.)

We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless while we learn to use it and come to understand what it means to humanity. 

• E. O. Wilson (American Biologist)

   

Earth is inhabited by millions of living organisms ranging from microscopic bacteria to gigantic blue whale and towering General Sherman (Giant Sequoia). All these living organisms constitute biodiversity (also known as biological diversity) of the Earth. In simple words, it is the existence of many different kinds of plants and animals in the biosphere. It is variety of life in the world. Biodiversity is the foundation for life and for the essential services provided by ecosystems. The term biological diversity was used for the first time by wildlife scientist and conservationist Raymond F. Dasmann in 1968. The term biodiversity first appeared in a publication in 1988 when entomologist E. O. Wilson used it as a title in his publication. Biodiversity is a shortened term of biological diversity. United Nations’ Earth Summit (1992) has defined biological diversity as the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part that includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

The United Nations had named 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) and designated 2011-2020 as UN Decade of Biodiversity to create awareness amongst the people on the issues of biological diversity.

       International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) falls in the month of May every year. So, I have decided to write monthly posts on ‘Plant Biodiversity in Shimla (H.P.)’ from this month onwards. The worthy readers are requested to give their comments or add additional information if they have any. I will try to include the plant species which occur in the radius of 15km from Shimla city.

Connecting Traditions with Science: 1. Children's Life Tree (Putranjiva roxburghii)

English name: Children's Life Tree

Vernacular names:

Hindi & Sanskrit names: पुत्रजीव, पुत्रजीवः, जीवपुत्रक, पुत्रजीवी, पुत्रंजीवः, जियापुत, पुतिजिया

Bengali: Putarjeeva, Jiaputa
Kannada: Putrajiva, Amani
Marathi: Putojan, Jewanputar
Telgu: Putrajivika, Kudrajivi

Botanical name: Putranjiva roxburghii 

Botanical name, Putranjiva roxburghii given by Wallich in 1826, is inspired from the Hindi and Sanskrit names (Putranjiva= Putarjiya + roxburghii= Dr. William Roxburgh, the father of Indian Botany).

Distribution:  India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea.

 Flowering Branch

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The children's life tree is a medium sized tree reaching a height of nearly 20m. The branches are generally pendent and the branchlets are brown, thin, and pubescent. Leaves are simple, alternate, stipulate, petiolate, dark green, shining and coriaceous. Leaf lamina is 3.5-12 cm x 1.5-4.5 cm and elliptic-oblong. Leaf margin is serrate or serrulate. Flowers are unisexual, small and pale yellow. Male flowers are sessile, arranged in axillary spikes and 2-2.5 mm in size. Female flowers are solitary or in groups of 2 or 3, axillary and puberulous. Fruit is a drupe measuring 1.3-2 cm x 1.5 cm, ovoid-ellipsoid and white tomentose.

Fruits

USES

Sacred Uses:

The hard seeds of this plant are strung into necklaces that are put around the necks of young children. It is considered to ward off evil spirits and ill health. Hindu Saints use to wear necklaces and rosaries made from its seeds. The children's life tree is worshiped by Hindu women wishing to give birth to a child. Watt, G. (1885-1893) has described many of its folk uses in his book "Dictionary of the Economic Products of India" published by the Government of India.

 

Putrajeevak Seeds Mala

(Photo courtesy: Astrodevam.com)

Medicinal Uses:

The seeds of children's life tree are considered to have rejuvenative and restorative properties for the female reproductive system and their overall health. Decoction of the leaves and seeds is given in colds. It is also considered to have analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities. The seeds are considered beneficial for liver problems, irregular menstruation, rheumatic problems and allergic skin rashes.

 

Other Uses:

Wood is used for house building, agricultural implements and tool handles. Leaves are lopped for fodder. Seeds yield a fatty oil used for burning. 

More than 100 years old children's life tree growing in Vadodara 

(Photograph courtesy: Dr. Jitendra Gavali Ji)