“Dessert Date or Soapberry Tree is native to parts of Africa and Middle East. It can grow to 30+ feet in height and was cultivated in Egypt for over 4000 years. The fruit is edible and bitter. Various parts of this tree are used as famine foods in Africa – for example, the leaves are […]
Social
Skeleton Flower
“Skeleton Flower is native to East Asia and Japan. It is a unique flower as its white petals turn transparent with rain and revert to white when dry. When it rains, clusters of these flowers transform into crystal-like blossoms. It is this reason the Diphylleia grayi is commonly known as the ‘skeleton flower’. As the […]
Sinkhole in China develops its own Ecosystem!
A gaping 317-yard-deep crater in a mountainous part of Hubei province has produced a unique ecosystem of trees, plants and animals. It is a botanical delight and given its remote location, it can only be accessed via a lowered rope ladder. The humid environment has led to its development of a surprisingly lush, self-contained ecosystem […]
Silver date palm
“Silver date palm’s sap is tapped to make toddy or palm wine. It is native to South Asia and can grow to 16 meters or up to 53 feet. Its flowers bloom from March to May and fruits ripen from September to October. Its fresh sap is boiled to make palm jaggery and the ripe […]
Shubhendu Sharma, from Engineer to Forester!
Shubhendu Sharma left his high paying job as an engineer to plant trees for the rest of his life. It all started when he volunteered to assist a naturalist, Akira Miyawaki, to cultivate a forest at the Toyota plant where he worked. Using the unique Miyawaki methodology to grow saplings, he converts any land into […]
Sesbania
“Sesbania is a fast-growing tree native to tropical areas of South-east Asia. It can grow to around 15 feet in height and also called the hummingbird tree. It is planted widely as it adds organic matter to desert and other soils. During the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, compounds are formed that are resistant […]
Second-growth forest
“Second-growth forest is a re-grown forest after a major disturbance either naturally or unnaturally. Fire, insect infestation, timber harvest, clearing for grazing land or windthrow could be some of the disruptions. Also called Secondary forest, it is where a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident. […]
Sausage Tree
“Sausage Tree is an evergreen tree native to Africa. It can grow to over 60 feet in height. The fruit resembles a sausage that is harmful if eaten raw but edible after being roasted or dried. The fruit extract is used in beauty products, skin ointments and other skin care products. An alcoholic beverage similar […]
Saucerberry
“Grey Leaved Saucerberry is native to Africa. It can grow to around 12 meters or 40 feet in height. The plant is commonly used locally as a food, medicine and a source of various materials. Although occasionally cultivated in Africa, it is a popular tree in Asia for its fruits. A gelatinous pulp of its […]
Sagano Bamboo Forest
“Sagano Bamboo Forest trail is one of the most photographed sites in Kyoto! It is located at the forest of Arashiyama in Japan. It is grouped under the historic site as there are many famous temples and shrines around this forest. It has also been declared as a “Place of Scenic Beauty” by the Agency […]