Themes

Over the years the plants that are introduced to the gardens are organized into specific themes better perception and appreciation of the value of the plants. Each theme has varying number of plants. Special home garden packages addressing specific issues and health problems like diabetes, old age, women’s health and primary health care etc are an attraction of these gardens.

Different themes and few plants to mention

Hair and skin care (30 species):
Aloe vera, Eclipta prostrata, Curcuma longa, Boerhavia diffusa, etc.

Primary health care (40 species) :
Adhatoda zeylanica, Ocimum sanctum, Vitex negundo, Withania somnifera etc.

Red listed plants (56 species) :
Janakiya arayalpatra, Coscinium fenestratum, Frerea indica, Utleria salicifolia, Embelia ribes, etc.
Veterinary plants (25 species) :
Punica granatum, Andrographis paniculata, Kalanchoe pinnata, Euphorbia cyathophora, etc.

Aquatic medicinal plants (20 species):
Nymphaea pubescens, Nelumbo nucifera, Acorus calamus, Barringtonia acutangula, Vitex leucoxylon, etc.

Highly traded medicinal plants (50 species):
Andrographis paniculata, Commiphora wightii, Saraca asoka, Terminalia bellirica, etc.

Negative list/ CITES species (12 species) :
Rauvolfia serpentina, Santalum album, Ceropegia hirsuta, Ceropegia candelabrum, etc.

Medicinal species of unique genera:
8 species of Hibiscus; 5 species of Piper; 7 species of Jatropha; 5 species of Vitex.

Tubrous/rhizomatous medicinal plants (30 species):
Amorphophalus campanulatus, Dioscorea bulbifera, Kaempferia galanga, Corollacarpus epigaeus, etc.

Nakshatra vana: 27 species -Corresponding to the 27 stars as per the Indian astrology.
The species are: Pinus longiflia, Mimosops elengi, Limonia acidissima, Terminalia arjuna,
aegle marmelos, Spondias pinnata, Ficus infectoria, Butea monosperma, Soymida febrifuga,
Mesua ferrea, Ficus religiosa, Bambusa arundinacea, Piper longum, Acacia catechu,
Syzygium cumini, Ficus racemosa, Phyllanthus emblica, Strychnoa nux-vomica, Madhuca latifolia,
Mangifera indica, Melia azedarach, Anthocephalu kadamba, Acacia ferruginea,
calotropus gigantean var, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Tinospora cordifolia and Canarium strictum.

Garden of Zodiac signs: This theme comprises of 12 species corresponding to the twelve
zodiac signs. The species planted are: Pterocarpus santalinus, Alstonia scholaris,
Artocarpus heterophyllus, Butea monosperma, Stereospermum personatum, Mangifera indica,
Mimosops elengi, Acacia catechu, Ficus religiosa, Dalbergia latifolia, Acacia ferruginea and
Ficus benghalensis.

Endemic medicinal plants of India (15 species): Decalepis hamiltonii, Erinocarpus nimmonii,
Asystasia mysorensis, Moringa conkanensis, etc

Plants used in some Siddha formulations: This theme gives an exposure to medicinal plants
used in Siddha system of treatment.

Plants used in Unani formulations: This theme provide a glimpse of the Unani plants

Ayurvedic formulations: Dasapushpa, Triphala, Trikadu are some of the components in this
theme showing the plants used in this treatment system.

Specific plant associations: Frerea indica– Euphorbia neriifolia; Santalum albam– Cajanus cajan;
Decalepis hamiltonii- Kalanchoe grandiflora & Caralluma attenuata, etc

Traditional gardens – Sarpakavu: The garden is modeled on the gardens found near temple premises
in Southern India.

Ecosystem specific Home Herbal Garden: These highlight the home garden models for different
ecological in Southern India.

Substitutes and adulterant plants: For selected ayurvedic drugs and common adulterants used
in ayurvedic markets eg: Ashoka bark substitutes, Sankhapushpi substitutes, etc

Popular ingredients: Species used in Agara bathis, Dhoopa, camphor, etc.

Ornamental medicinal plants: Macaranga peltata, Alstonia venenata, Boswellia serrata,
Dolichandrone atrovirens, Clerodendrum serratum, etc.

Plant variations and disjunct distributed plants: Mesua ferrea, Canarium strictum,
Artocarpus hirsutus, Sapindus mackrosii & Sapindus eamarginatus, etc.

Ferns: (400 plants of 60 species) Asplenium, Adiantum, Lygodium, Cyathea, Psilotum,
Cheilanthus, Pteris, Blechnum, Lycopodium, Selaginella etc

Orchids: 300 plants of over 80 species, Dendrobium, Rhynchostylis, Aeridis, paphiopedilum,
Bulbophyllum, Papilionanthe etc

Bambusetum : This has over 25 species belonging to Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, Thyrsostahys,
Gaudua, Pseudosassa and Phyllostachys.

Wild edible plants: 25 species – Houttyunia cordata, Elaeocarpus floribundus, Paedaria foetida,
Cinnamomum tamala, Parkia roxburghii, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Polygonum sp,
Elaegnus conferta, Amaranthus spinosus, Pandans sp, Flacourtia catafracts, etc.