Flame of the forest (butea monosperma) is a quick growing tree that bears bright red flowers. It is also known as ‘bastard teak’, Butea gum tree, etc and is usable as an Ayurvedic medicine. The Sanskrit name is Palasa.

The bark of butea tree secretes red resin, known as butea gum, which is used in the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery etc.

The tree is also usable as a timber.

Cheru narakam (Citrus limon) is the common citrus lemon which is commonly used in lemonades and for pickling.

The lemon tree produces small fleshy fruits, which gives a sour-tasting juice. Citric acid is the component that gives the sour taste.

This perennial tree grows 10-20 ft high. Stem and branches bear thorns and dark green aromatic leaves.

It has carminative properties and can be regarded as an Ayurvedic herb too. It acts against such diseases like scurvy.

Citrus limon belongs to the family Rutaceae.

The climbing palas (Butea superba) is a fast growing wild tree that produces bright red flowers.

Butea superba is believed to have aphrodisiac properties and sexual enhancing properties beneficial for both men and women. The extracts from tuber are taken for such sexual enhancer products.

Coconut (Cocus nucifera) is the most grown tree in Kerala. Apart from many hundreds of plantations, there are also coconut palms in almost all homes of Kerala. Coconut trees however are not abundant in the colder areas of high-ranges. It is found abundantly in the coastal to central regions. This tree grows straight up without branches and with an umbrella like crown, with several large leaves spread from the top.

The tree requires abundant rainfall and tolerates the high salinity of sea shores.

Though the fruit is called coconut, it is not a nut. It is a dry, fibrous drupe. The husk protects the internal part, which is hard like stone. Inside the hard stone is the usable part of coconut, which is scientifically called endosperm. The white meat of coconut is edible and used in the preparation of almost all kinds of dishes in Kerala. Inside the endosperm is a large area, filled with water in unripe coconut. As the coconut becomes ripe, the most of the water gets absorbed by the fruit and only a little water remains. Tender coconut water drinking is a new fad among the people of Kerala. There are different advantages for this natural healthy drink. It is suggested for people with dysentery, vomiting etc as a means to prevent dehydration. It is also cool, energetic and refreshing.

Every part of coconut tree is useful in different ways. The fiber from the coconut husk is used to make coir, mats etc. Coconut leaves are used for thatching. The wood is good for furniture. All dried parts make good firewood.

That is why this tree is called the Kalpavriksham (an auspicious tree that can give anything you ask) of Kerala. For India, the kalpavriksha is Banyan (Ficus bengalensis).

Cocos nucifera belongs to the family Arecaceae.

ColvilleÂ’s glory (Colvillea racemosa) is a deciduous flowering tree that reaches the height of about 15 m and bears rich orange colored flowers, mainly during winter.

The tip of the branches bear several bunches of orange to red flowers that appear hanging from the tip. The flowers give ColvilleÂ’s glory the bright colorful feel during summer. The tree prefers sunny climate.

Ezhilam Pala (Alstonia scholaris) is a medium sized tree native to India, South Asia. The leaf arrangement of the plant has some peculiarities that gave it the Malayalam name, Ezhilam Pala, which means a pala tree with seven leaves. It is not to say the entire tree has only seven leaves, but the leaves are supposed to be of whorls of seven. However, there are differences in the number of leaves in a whorl. It can sometimes be six.

The tree is also known as yakshi pala (a yakshi is somewhat similar to a ghost of a young woman). The flowers give out a characteristic fragrance that gives people a feel of excitement. The white flowers are small and appear as terminal inflorescence.

The bark and leaves produce a milky latex when injured, which is toxic.

The latex also gives good medicinal properties with appropriate combinations and forms treatment remedy for fever, coughs etc. The bark of the tree is used in the treatment of toothache, malaria and rheumatism. It is also used as an antidote to snake bite.

Alstonia scolaris belongs to the family Apocynaceae.

The Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula) is an ornamental tree that has both religious and medicinal values to Indian Hindus. This tree has got its name because of its flowering characteristics. Flowers of golden yellow color hang from the branches in clusters, giving a vivid yellow to golden look when viewed from a distance. Usually there will be little to no leaves while the tree is in full bloom.

The tree grows about 5-12 m high.

The long fruits bear several seeds, in the tune of hundreds of seeds in a single fruit. Both the fruits and the bark of the tree are used in different Ayurvedic medicines. The fruits are poisonous in nature.

The tree, especially flowers have religious value for Hindu families, especially in Kerala. During the New Year celebration, Vishu, the flowers of golden shower make an auspicious kani (a sight of good omen that brings you health, prosperity and happiness). Among several other things like the picture of Gods and Goddesses, gold ornaments of coins, farm products etc, the flowers of golden shower are arranged in a special deity like position as a sign of prosperity.

The tree thrives in all climates except frost.

Hemp or Cannabis (Cannabis Indica, Cannabis sativa) is a narcotic plant product grown in selected parts of India. Hemp refers to non-drug use of the plant, while cannabis is related to the intoxicating drug marijuana.

The cultivation of the plant is mostly on the sidelines of law. Authorities usually seize the areas of cannabis production, which is usually in the interiors of thick forests where jeeps and other vehicles find it hard to reach.

Apart from the negative light on this plant, it is also a good fiber yielding plant. Hemp is used clothing, paint manufacturing, and cooking.

Though cannabis can be used in different medicines, the large scale use of cannabis as a drug puts medical practitioners in two sides. However different compounds of the plant can be used in pain relief and in treating nausea.

The horse cassia (Cassia grandis) is a small tree with beautiful flowers. The tree produces brightly colored small flowers that literally cover the tree. This tree can be used as avenue tree and makes a good ornamental tree. The tree grows up to a height of 10 to 15 meters. The flowers produce long fruits, which bear many fruits.

Horse cassia got its name because of its use in treating different diseases that affect horses. Medicines are prepared from the extracts of barks and fruits for human use also. The pulp of fruits and the decoction prepared from the leaves of horse cassia is a powerful laxative (hence rarely used for the purpose). It is used in the treatment of anemia, ringworm etc.

Ilanji (Mimusops elengi) is a tropical tree that produces tiny flowers that release a sweet aroma during night. The leaves thus without doubt form a part of perfumes with intoxicating fragrance.

Ilanji prefers cool climate, but doesnÂ’t withstand frost. The tree is also found in tropical conditions.

The Hindi word for ilanji is kabiki. The fruit of ilanji (or ilanjhi) is edible. The fruit has a thick outer skin which encloses sweet yellow pulp and taken fresh.

Different parts of ilanji tree have medicinal properties. Researches by different organizations show positive effects on reducing ulcer and hyper tension.

Mimusops elengi belongs to the family Sapotaceae.

Cotton (Gossypium arboretum and G. herbaceum) is cultivated throughout central and north India. Cotton plants give the cotton to produce cotton fabrics. There are two species of cotton grown in India.

Cotton fiber is seen as surrounding cotton seeds. Dried fiber is spun into a fine thread, from which the natural textile products are made. The fiber is purely made of cellulose.

Cotton has a prominent place in IndiaÂ’s struggle for freedom and independence. As a measure of boycotting fabrics imported to the country, Gandhiji, the father of the Nation declared to spin cotton threads with a lowly spinning machine called charka. This quickly transferred to the people of rural India and became a mass movement of self sufficiency and boycott of foreign goods. Such charka are still available in rural India.

Cotton plants prefer lot of sunlight and water. The preferred climate for harvesting is dry weather.

Unrefined cottonseed oil is used as a pesticide. Refined cotton seed oil is used as a vegetable oil, but in moderate use. Cottonseed cake is used as a fodder.

India accounts for about 30 % of global cotton production. Cotton is also a key driver of economy in rural India after agriculture.

Cotton belongs to the family malvaceae.