Tamilnadu- Anaikatti /Biosphere (2014)
Description to be added later
Sponsored by Coimbatore Zoological Park Society
Scenic Ananikatti
Silent Valley (Western Ghatas) is nearby- The valley is under consideration for world heritage site by UNESCO
The park is 20 miles from Coimbatore
Entrance
Dr Ratnam is relaxing under a 200 year old Banyan Tree
Park contains 430 plant species; 20 are classified as "near extinction"
Guided tour map
My guide- employee and a botany graduate
Know the format-Two slides for each tree
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Karunkali tree-why is it derogatory?
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7 leaf tree
Each bundle has 7 leaves
Red dye tree
Surface of the nut has a red colored powdery substance which flakes off
Hard as a Teak
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White teak
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Legendary tree- Lord Muruga turned into this tree in Valli Kalyanam
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Thorny Vengai
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Black Maruthu with shredded surface
Crocodile skin like bark
Kalaa Nut TreeKala in hand is better than Palaa (jack fruit) on tree
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The nut foams like soap
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Legendary Naval tree- Sutta pazham or sudaadha pazham ?Hot or cold fruit? Lord Muruga's riddle to Avvaiyar
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Ghost Ilavam
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Thorny Ilavam
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The nut is known for its bitterness
Etti Kai the Bitter nut
Tree of darkness- why?
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The leaf resembles the foot of a peacock
Compare it with peacock's foot
American Mahogany
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The flowers were used as a garland to the war heroes in ancient times
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The leaf is rough like sand paper
Yes; the surface feels rough
Proverb- where there is no sugar, flower of this tree is sugar (derogatory usage)
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Makizham Poo tree
Flowers are popular; Fruits have medicinal use;
Stupid Sambrani Tree!
The resin from the tree is sambrani- I didn't know before because...
The nut is amazingly like baby doll's eyes
Doll's eyes!
Thorny Seetha
Thorny
Fragrant Manoranjitham
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Tiruvodu- begging bowl can be made from the nut/fruit
One half is one begging bowl!
Quote from a 17th century English church man
Zodiac Garden has 27 trees corresponding to the stars in Hindu Astrology
14 stars and corresponding trees
Remaining 13 stars; touch the tree and feel good if you are superstitious or curious!
3 R's- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Amazing fact!
Human beings are tiny fraction!
Bird of paradise- Asian paradise flycatcher- Arasawall Eepidippan in Tamil
Also called Neela vaal Kuruvi
Nearby campus-Swami Dayananda Ashramam- World Headquarters in Anaikatti
Dr. Ratnam, the ornithologist loves trees
Reception Desk
Nice place for bird watching
Well stocked book store- Multilingual religious texts
Swamai Dayananda's residence
Swami Dayananda donated part of his ashram's land area to adjacent Salim Ali Ornithology Nature Center
