First In The World

  First Women To Cross Seven Seas in Swimming - Bula Choudhury

Bula Choudhury

First Hindu Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court - Justice Rana Bhagwan Das

Justice Rana Bhagwan Das

First Blind Man to Scale Mount Everest - Erik Weihenmayer

Erik Weihenmayer

First Person to Reach South Pole - Amundsen

Amundsen

First person to reach North Pole - Robert Pearey

Robert Pearey

First Test Tube Baby – Louise Brown

Louise Brown

First Aeroplane To Fly Around The World Without Refueling - Voyager

Voyager

First Women To Swim Across English Channel – G.C Ederle

G.C.Ederie

First Person To Swim Across English Channel – Mathew Webb

Mathew Webb

First Tourist In Space – Dennis Tito

Dennis Tito

First  Living  Being  Sent Into Space – Laika, A Dog

Laika

First Man In The Space – Yuri Gagarin

Yuri Gagarin

First Women In The Space – Valentina Tereshkova

Valentina Tereshkova

First Person To Walk In The Space – Alexei Leonov

Alexei Leonov

First Person To Land On The Moon – Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong

First Women To Climb Mount Everest – Junko Tabei

Junko Tabei

 First Person To Climb Mount Everest – E.Hillary, Tenzing Norgay

E.Hillary, Tenzing Norgay

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Venus Flytrap – Feed On Insects

Venus flytrap is known as Dionaea muscipula. It belongs to the kingdom - plantae, phylum – anthophyta, class – magnoliospdia, order – nepenthales  and family – droseraceae. This is one kind of interesting plant which feed on insects. Venus flytrap is the carnivorous plant. Initially scientist believed this plant to be a myth until they found the physical proof for the existence of such a plant. The plant is innocuous looking rosette. The leaf blades terminate in distinctive bivalve traps with sharply toothed edges. The length of the leaf blade is up to 12cm whereas the trap length is upto 4 cm. the trap of venus flytrap is very powerful as the  ones set by  trappers for wolves, bears etc. it is effective in catching its own small preys.

 The leaves of the venus  flytrap is open wide  and contain stiff hairs on them called trigger or sensitive hairs. The sensitive hairs at  fold of the leaf prevent them from closing every time when a drop of rain falls on it because the leave requires two or more of these hairs triggered in succession. Like other plants venus flytraps gather nutrients form gases in the air and nutrients in the soil. However they live healthier if they get nutrients from insects. Insects are attracted to the small traps. On the inner lobes there are  usually three trigger hair and if an insect lands on lobe and brushes against two of these hairs the trap with snap partially shut  with a speed that amazes onlookers. The teeth are now interlocked preventing larger prey from escaping .  The trap need to close further to produce tight seal for the prey  to be digested.

The outside of the trap is generally green  where as the inner side have red pigments that varies in shade depending on the age of the trap. Venus flytrap needs wet roots, poor acidic soil, high humidity and full sunlight to grow. The recommended soil  mixtures is one that contains sphagnum moss and sand. The plant produces the flowers in  a tall stalk above the leaves. Seeds produces by the flowers are very tiny. The Venus flytrap is listed as an endangered species. Venus flytrap is endemic to a restricted area of the Carolina’s coastal plain including southeastern, North Carolina and northeastern south Carolina.

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Eskimo Curlew (Numenius Borealis)- Shorebird

Eskimo curlew is a small , mostly brown shore bird. It is a medium sized shorebird with a slender, slightly  down curved  bill. It is approximately 30 cm tall, has short bluish gray legs and a rich cinnamon color on its belly and wing linnings. It belongs to the family Scolopacidae. Eskimo curlews migrate from breeding grounds in the Arctic  tundra through  the north American prairies to wintering grounds on the pakpas grasslands of Argentina. Eskimo curlew’s habitat includes grasslands, plowed fields, pastures  and mudflats.  Eskimo Curlew is close to being extinct.

The Eskimo curlew eats both plants and animals. The Eskimo curlew’s diet consist of freshwater insects and  the fruit of Black Crowberry.  It also eats ants, worms and other invertebrates found on shores. In the coastal areas they feed on snails and along the Atlantic coast they eat beetles, spider, moth, seeds and other  berries. The Eskimo curlew is endangered because of unrestricted overhunting for the market, especially during its northward spring migrations. This bird also has a tame nature and is extremely friend, making it easy prey for hunters. Eskimo curlew’s nest are just a hole in the ground. They are lined with decaying leaves and a thin sprinkling o hay. The eggs  have a color similar to that of surroundings grass, being dark brownish green to blue blotched with brown.

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Pothos – Devil’s Ivy

                Pothos  is one of the easiest houseplant to grow.  Its botanical name is Epipremnum aureum or Scindapsus aureus. But it is often referred as devil’s ivy or variegated philodendron. These plants can do well in indirect lights. One of the special features of this plant is that it can be grown both in water or in dry soil. Pothos are incredibly easy to root from cuttings. A part of of mother plant can be cut  and rooted in water . pothos also be grown in soil . they will thrive well in nutrient rich soil but do almost  in nutrient poor soil as well.

The natural form of Pothos is a trailing vine. Fluorescent light is acceptable as a light source. Its leaves are pointed heart shaped and can be green or variegated in white, yellow or a paler green. The leaf sizes vary with varieties and growing condition as well. The one that I had is green with white combination. I consider them as a best decorative plant as I can decorate the windows with them. The climbing/trailing habit makes them extremely decorative .Pothos plants prefer to dry out between watering.

 Pothos are poisonous too. The plant can cause irritation and vomiting if ingested due to the fact that it contains calcium oxalates. It is considered toxic to cats, dogs and children. It makes them very sick.

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Portulaca Grandiflora – Sun lovers

                Portulaca  Grandiflora is one of my favorite  plant which doesn’t need any special care and brings the beauty to our garden with its different colors of flowers. It belongs to the family Portulacaceae. It is commonly known as portulaca, moss rose, rose moss and sun plant. Portuclaca flowers  tolerate many kinds of soils  but prefer sandy well drained soils and love the full bright sunlight. These plants will spread themselves very well. You do not need to water often for proper portulaca care. The cylindrical foliage of  portulaca flower retains moisture very well.

The flowers are borne on the stem tips. They open only during bright sunlight and closes at night and on cloudy days. There are many varieties with different colors of flowers such as orange, rose pink, red, yellow, white. The one which attracts me is white and  rose pink with its natural beauty. Moss rose makes a beautiful ground cover in a dry  or rocky area. In warm climates moss rose may self seed. Its reddish brown like stems and bright green leaves are thick , soft and juicy.

 Easily propagated by pinching off the stems of this plant into 2-4 inches length and stick them directly into moist sand or loamy soil and locate it in a sunny area. Portulaca can also be propagated from seeds that are as tiny as dust. Portulaca are originally from the hot, dry plains of Southern Brazil, Northern  Argentina, Uruguay. 

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Lawsonia Inermis – Red Brown Dye

Lawsonia inermis is popularly known as maruthani or marithondi in Tamil  language.  In Bengali it is called as mehedi or mendi. In English it is known as henna tree , camphor or Egyptian privet. Lawsonia inermis is a much branched glabrous shrub. It grows up to 7 m high at its tallest with grayish-brown bark.Its leaves are used as a skin and hair dye . They are almond shaped, tapering at the end attached to the tree.

The leaves are used in India traditionally during auspicious  occasions like marriages. These leaves are ground into thick paste  and was applied in designs on the palm  and sole and was allowed to dry for hours. When the dried  portion is washed off  a red pigmentation is left behind on the applied area. In south India most probably a circular patch is  applied in the centre of the palm and a cap is formed over the fingers. This way of decoration is used by dancers  as well. In north the habit of creating exquisite and intricate designs on the palm as well as the forearm has been in practice.

   The henna was used in the fourth and the fifth centuries in India which was illustrated on Bodhisattvas and deities of cave wall murals. It was probably used in India seven centuries before the mogul invasion.  Lawsonia inermis flowers  are used in traditional medicine and oil for perfumery. They are sweet scented and creamy white in color. The flower has a four greenish yellow petals , four sepals and eight stamens. Its fruits are spherical in shape  and it is brown when ripe .Henna is native to the middle east .In India henna leaves are used   to treat vitiligo  and seeds are used to cure fever.

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Karpuravalli – Cure for Cough

               Coleus Ambonicus is known as karpuravalli in Tamil. This plant should be grown in homes where there are children. It is called as Karpuravalli because it carries the flavor of  camphor. In Tamil karpuram means camphor. Coleus ambonicus is a much branched, fleshy, highly aromatic pubescent herb. The plant is a Malay species,cultivated and found run wild. It grows in Circars,Deccan and Carnatic.Karpura Valli  is a juicy plant. It is most probably found in Indian homes especially in many places in south India. In Malayalam it is called as Oma Valli whereas in Hindi it is called as Ajwain and Kattumaruva in Kannada.

Karpuravalli Leaves

    Karpuravalli  has various medicinal properties. . The leaves contain glucosides of luteolin and apigenin.  Karpuravalli leaf is an excellent cure for cough and cold. Adding this leaves to rasam  during winter season helps us to recover from severe wheezing and  bronchitis related issues. A decotion of Karpura valli and tulsi help alleviate cold and cough. Juice of fresh leaves is used in urticaria and other allergic conditions.  Karpuravalli helps in eliminating toxins from the body and promotes  perspirations. It also increases absorption of nutrients and helps regulate female menstruation. It helps in regenerating cells and tissues and promotes longevity. It is execellent remedy for cough and cold. It prevents gas formation.

Oma Valli Bajji

              

          Karpuravalli  posses muscle-relaxant actions. Crushed leaves are used as a local application to head in headache and to relieve the pain and irritation caused by stings of centipedes. Expressed juice is applied round the orbit to relieve the pain in conjuctivitis.  A favourite Indian dish called Bajeh is made of the mopped leaves.

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