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Going green
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A three-day exhibition of plant specimens was held in the city recently.
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A THREE-DAY exhibition was organised by the graduate and postgraduate students of Botany of All Saints College this past week. The venue was the botany lab of the college. On display were a large number of specimens, charts and other collections. Also on show was a herbarium, perhaps the largest in any college under the University. The herbarium had pressed and dried specimens of leaves, flowers and even fruits of plants.
The tray and bottle gardens on display caught one's attention immediately. Different varieties were planted inside a big bottle with a thin neck, as per the specifications. The same was done in a tray to create a tray garden. The exhibits included twigs of spices such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and long pepper, beverages such as tea, coffee and cocoa, and varieties of millets and cereals, many of which were brought from north India.
Charts depicting the significance of planting more trees, their medicinal properties, and list of endangered medicinal plants provided interesting information. Bonsai of a Ficus species occupied the pride of place at the exhibition. Twelve volumes of the English edition of K. S. Manilal's `Hortus Malabaricus', written in Latin by Van Rheede, a compilation of the natural plant wealth of Asia and the tropics were on show. Details of the medicinal plants inside the college campus were listed in the booklet, `Medicinal Plants of All Saints' College', which was released on the first day of the exhibition.
"We also maintain a record of the trees inside our campus, their botanical name, family name, vernacular name, girth and location. This would benefit the future generations," says Kochuthresya, Botany tutor of the college.
Their garden of medicinal plants is a rarity. With more than 450 varieties to boast of, it is perhaps the biggest under Kerala University. "This venture was initiated in 2002 in dedication to Mother General Sr. Frances, who retired that year," says Kochuthresya.
"It has proved to be a source of motivation to teachers like us," says Mohan, a tutor at Women's College. "We have started a similar project in out college but on a smaller scale," says Rajaprasad.
The project wouldn't have seen the light of the day but for the financial backing of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA). "Medicinal plants are expensive. A lot of money goes into fencing, potting, and building tanks for them," says Cynthia, guest lecturer in Botany.
AMBIKA VARMA
Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar
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