Flora & flowers
Capparis mooni
A hardy flowering shrub that thrives on rocky slopes and forest edges.
Found across the dry and semi-evergreen forests of Radhanagri, Capparis mooni plays a subtle yet crucial role in the local ecosystem. Its small, white to pale-pink flowers attract a range of pollinators, while its fruit provides food for birds and mammals. Often seen clinging to exposed rocky terrain, this resilient plant adds texture and biodiversity to the forest landscape.
Wild Guava (Careya arborea)
A deciduous tree with bold foliage and striking blossoms that signal forest transitions.
Commonly found in the mixed deciduous forests of Radhanagri, Careya arborea stands out with its large, leathery leaves and beautiful, brush-like white flowers. Its fruit, though rough-skinned, attracts birds and animals, making it a valuable food source. The tree also holds traditional medicinal importance and contributes to soil stability, making it a key player in the forest's health and diversity.
Mammea suriga
A fragrant evergreen tree known for its delicate white flowers and cultural charm.
Native to the Western Ghats and flourishing in Radhanagri’s moist forests, Mammea suriga is admired for its small, star-like white flowers that emit a sweet, heady fragrance. These blooms are often used in traditional garlands and rituals. The tree’s glossy leaves and subtle presence make it a hidden gem of the forest, supporting pollinators and adding to the region’s floral richness
Syzygium laetum
A water-loving tree with lush foliage and juicy berries that feed the forest.
Often found along streams and moist patches in Radhanagri, Syzygium laetum is a medium to large evergreen tree from the myrtle family. Its dense canopy offers shelter to birds, while its purplish fruits are relished by wildlife. With smooth bark and glossy leaves, this species not only enriches the forest’s greenery but also plays a role in maintaining the local water balance and biodiversity.
Silk Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba)
A towering tree with fiery red blooms and cottony seeds that float through the forest winds.
Strikingly visible during the dry season in Radhanagri, Bombax ceiba sheds its leaves to reveal vivid, cup-shaped red flowers that attract birds, bees, and even monkeys. Its tall, spiny trunk and broad canopy offer shelter to many creatures. After flowering, it releases silky white fibers that carry its seeds far and wide — a natural spectacle that marks the rhythm of the forest.
Aerides crispum
A graceful epiphytic orchid that adorns forest canopies with its delicate blooms.
Found clinging to tree trunks in the humid forests of Radhanagri, Aerides crispum is known for its elegant, fragrant flowers—usually white with hints of pink or purple. This orchid doesn’t harm the tree it lives on; instead, it absorbs moisture and nutrients from the air. Its seasonal blooming adds a touch of beauty high above the forest floor, making it a hidden jewel of the Western Ghats' canopy life.
Dendrobium barbatulum
A petite forest orchid with charming, bearded blooms tucked among the trees.
Native to the Western Ghats and occasionally spotted in Radhanagri, Dendrobium barbatulum is a small epiphytic orchid that grows on mossy trunks and branches. Its delicate, pale pink flowers with fuzzy, “bearded” lips appear during the monsoon, drawing in tiny pollinators. Though modest in size, this orchid adds quiet elegance to the forest and reflects the region’s rich botanical diversity.
Habenaria marginata
A ground orchid with intricate blooms that appear like nature’s hidden artwork.
Found on the forest floor and grassy clearings of Radhanagri, Habenaria marginata is a terrestrial orchid known for its uniquely shaped greenish-white flowers with finely cut edges. Blooming during the monsoon, it thrives in moist, shaded habitats. Though easy to overlook, its delicate beauty rewards the keen-eyed nature lover and showcases the subtle richness of Radhanagri’s undergrowth flora.
Habenaria longicorniculata
A striking ground orchid with long, horn-like spurs that bloom in the heart of the monsoon.
Thriving in the damp forest floors and grassy slopes of Radhanagri, Habenaria longicorniculata catches attention with its unusual greenish-yellow flowers and signature elongated spurs. Blooming during the rainy season, this orchid attracts night-flying moths as pollinators. Its presence is a mark of healthy, undisturbed habitats and highlights the hidden floral treasures of the Western Ghats.
Lady Susan's Orchid / Butterfly Orchid (Pecteilis gigantea)
A show-stopping orchid with fluttering white blooms that resemble dancing butterflies.
Blooming during the late monsoon in the open grassy slopes of Radhanagri, Pecteilis gigantea stands tall with elegant, fragrant white flowers that seem to float in the breeze. Nicknamed the Butterfly Orchid for its wing-like petals, this terrestrial beauty is both rare and captivating. Its presence adds a touch of grace to the landscape and reflects the rich orchid diversity of the Western Ghats.
Utricularia purpurascens
A tiny but deadly beauty—this carnivorous plant thrives where others struggle.
Found in moist, nutrient-poor soils of Radhanagri’s grasslands and rocky patches, Utricularia purpurascens is a small, ground-hugging plant with delicate purple flowers. Hidden beneath the surface are tiny bladder-like traps that catch microscopic prey—an adaptation for survival in challenging environments. Though easily missed, its vibrant blooms and unique feeding style make it one of the most fascinating wildflowers of the Western Ghats.
Stemless Balsam (Impatiens acaulis)
A vibrant forest-floor bloomer that thrives close to the ground with no visible stem.
Seen during the monsoon along shaded trails and rocky outcrops in Radhanagri, Impatiens acaulis produces bright pink to magenta flowers that seem to rise directly from the soil. Its thick, fleshy leaves form a rosette at the base, helping it retain moisture in its cool, damp habitat. Despite its small size, this stemless balsam adds a splash of color to the undergrowth and is a charming reminder of the fleeting beauty of the monsoon bloom.
Memecylon umbellatum
A compact evergreen shrub with vivid blue blooms and year-round greenery.
Commonly seen in the semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests of Radhanagri, Memecylon umbellatum stands out with its deep green, leathery leaves and occasional bursts of small, bright blue flowers. Blooming in clusters, these flowers attract pollinators and are followed by tiny purple-black berries. Often found along forest edges or rocky slopes, this hardy plant not only supports wildlife but also prevents soil erosion, making it a quiet yet vital part of the ecosystem.
Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba)
A dramatic climber with flame-like petals that set the forest aglow.
Thriving along forest edges, grassy slopes, and open patches in Radhanagri, Gloriosa superba is instantly recognizable by its fiery red and yellow curled petals that resemble dancing flames. This climbing herb uses tendrils at the tip of its leaves to cling and rise toward sunlight. Though stunning in appearance, it's also highly toxic—handled with care in traditional medicine. The Glory Lily is both a visual delight and a symbol of wild, untamed beauty in the Western Ghats.
Utricularia sp.
Tiny, carnivorous wonders that thrive where few plants dare to grow.
Species of Utricularia, commonly found in the moist grasslands and lateritic plateaus of Radhanagri, are among the smallest flowering plants—often overlooked due to their size but fascinating in function. These delicate plants produce vibrant purple, yellow, or blue blooms above ground, while below, their rootless structures bear bladder traps that capture microscopic prey. Adapted to nutrient-poor soils, Utricularia species are a testament to nature’s ingenuity and the subtle marvels hidden in Radhanagri’s monsoon-soaked landscapes.