Tree
Neem:
BOTANIC DESCRIPTION
Azadirachta indica is a small to medium-sized tree, usually evergreen, up
to 15 (30 max.) m tall, with a round, large crown up to 10 (20 max.) m in
diameter; branches spreading; bole branchless for up to 7.5 m, up to 90
cm in diameter, sometimes fluted at base; bark moderately thick, with
small, scattered tubercles, deeply fissured and flaking in old trees, dark
grey outside and reddish inside, with colourless, sticky foetid sap.
Leaves alternate, crowded near the end of branches, simply pinnate, 20-
40 cm long, exstipulate, light green, with 2 pairs of glands at the base,
otherwise glabrous; petiole 2-7 cm long, subglabrous; rachis channelled
above; leaflets 8-19, very short petioluled, alternate proximally and more
or less opposite distally, ovate to lanceolate, sometimes falcate (min. 2)
3.5-10 x 1.2-4 cm, glossy, serrate; apex acuminate; base unequal.
Inflorescence an axillary, many-flowered thyrsus, up to 30 cm long; bracts
minute and caducous; flowers bisexual or male on same tree,
actinomorphic, small, pentamerous, white or pale yellow, slightly sweet
scented; calyx lobes imbricate, broadly ovate and thin, puberulous inside;
petals free, imbricate, spathulate, spreading, ciliolate inside.
Fruit 1 (max. 2)-seeded drupe, ellipsoidal, 1-2 cm long, greenish, greenishyellow
to yellow or purple when ripe; exocarp thin, mesocarp pulpy,
endocarp cartilaginous; seed ovoid or spherical; apex pointed; testa thin,
composed of a shell and a kernel (sometimes 2 or 3 kernels), each about
half of the seed’s weight.
BIOLOGY
A. indica trees may start flowering and fruiting at the age of 4-5 years, but
economic quantities of seed are produced only after 10-12 years.
Pollination is by insects such as honeybees. Certain isolated trees do not
set fruit, suggesting the occurrence of self-incompatibility. The flowering
and fruiting seasons largely depend on location and habitat. In Thailand
for instance, neem flowers and fruits throughout the year whereas in East
Africa (with pronounced dry and wet season) flowering and fruiting are
restricted to distinct periods. Fruits ripen in about 12 weeks from anthesis
and are eaten by bats and birds, which distribute the seed. They can live
for over 200 years.18-month-old trees grown near Leon,
Nicaragua (Anthony Simons).
ECOLOGY
A. indica is said to grow ‘almost anywhere’ in the lowland tropics. Under natural conditions, it does not grow gregariously.
In India, it is present in mixed forest with Acacia spp. and Dalbergia sissoo; in Indonesia, it is naturalized in lowland
monsoon forest. In Africa, it is found in evergreen forest and in dry deciduous forest. Adult A. indica tolerates some frost,
but seedlings are more sensitive. It quickly dies in waterlogged soils. A. indica requires large amounts of light, but it
tolerates fairly heavy shade during the 1st few years.
BIOPHYSICAL LIMITS
Altitude: 0-1500 m, Mean annual temperature: Up to 40 deg. C, Mean annual rainfall: 400-1200 mm
Soil type: It grows on a wide variety of neutral to alkaline soils but performs better than most species on shallow, stony,
sandy soils, or in places where there is a hard calcareous or clay pan not far below the surface. It grows best on soils
PRODUCTS
Food: Fruits are eaten fresh or cooked, or prepared as a dessert or lemonade-type drink. The young twigs and flowers
are occasionally consumed as vegetables.
Fodder: The leaves, though very bitter, are used as a dry season fodder. A. indica fruit is an important source of food
for some wildlife, especially birds and bats, although they digest only the pulp, not the seed.
Fuel: Charcoal made from A. indica wood is of excellent quality and the wood has long been used as firewood. Its oil is
burned in lamps throughout India.
Timber: A. indica is a species of the mahogany family, and although it has some of the characteristics of a cabinetry
wood, its grain is rough and does not polish well. The wood is, nevertheless, used to make wardrobes, bookcases and
closets, as well as packing cases because its insect repellent quality helps to protect the contents from insect damage.
The main stem of the tree is also widely used to make posts for construction or fencing because the wood is termite
resistant. The density of the wood is 720-930 kg/cubic m at 12% mc.
Gum or resin: An exudate can be tapped from the trunk by wounding the bark. This high-protein material has potential
as a food additive and is widely used in Southeast Asia as ‘neem glue’.
Tannin or dyestuff: Tree bark contains 12-14% tannins. This compares favourably with conventional tannin chemicals.
Lipids: A. indica oil has long been produced in Asia on an industrial scale for soaps, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other non-edible products. The seed oil yield is sometimes as high as 50% of the weight of the kernel. Neem oil is
valued at about USD 700/t (1990).
Poison: Azadirachtin has been identified as A. indica’s principal active compound. Extracts can be made from leaves
and other tissues, but the seeds contain the highest concentrations of the compound. In India, some Neem-based
pesticides include Azadi, Fortune Azadi, Godrej Achook, Margocide, Neemarin, Repelin and Nimbecidine. It acts as an
insect repellant, inhibiting feeding, and disrupting insect growth, metamorphosis and reproduction. Formulations based
on A. indica do not usually kill insects directly but alter their behaviour in significant ways to reduce pest damage to
crops, and reduce their reproductive potential. Azadirachtin affects insect physiology by mimicking a natural hormone. It
has been shown to affect egg production and hatching rates. Azadirachtin can inhibit moulting, preventing larvae from
developing into pupae. Many foliage-feeding species avoid plants treated with neem compounds or cease eating after
ingesting the neem. Its has proven effective as an antifeedant on about 100 insect species. Thus the extracts work
especially well to protect plants from defoliation without affecting beneficial pollinating insects like honeybees.
Overall tests of neem extracts have shown results on about 300 insect species, mostly in orders Coleoptera (beetles
and weevils); Dictyoptera (cockroaches and mantids); Diptera (flies); Heteroptera (true bugs); Homoptera (aphids, leaf
hoppers wasps and ants); Isoptera (termites); Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies); Orthoptera (grasshoppers, katydids);
Siphonaptera (fleas); and Thysanoptera (thrips). Crudely produced neem extracts can also provide excellent control on
caterpillars and beetle larvae.
A traditional agricultural practice involves the production of ‘neem tea’. The seeds are dried, crushed and soaked in
water overnight to produce a liquid pesticide that can be applied directly to crops. Crushed seed kernels are also used
as a dry pesticide application, especially to control stem borers on young plants. These homemade remedies are often
very effective in repelling pests or acting on insects as a feeding deterrent. The strength of homemade preparations can
vary due to the concentration of azadirachtin and other compounds in the seed, which can in turn depends on the
genetic source of the seeds. It can also be affected by the process of handling and drying the seeds, contaminants in
the water, and exposure to high temperatures or sunlight. The active compounds break down quickly, so an application
of neem tea generally provides protection for only about 1 week.
Neem extracts may have toxic effects on fish and other aquatic wildlife and on some beneficial insects. Therefore, care
should be taken that any unused extracts are disposed of by exposing them to heat or sunlight to break down the active
compounds.
Medicine: Neem has proved effective against certain fungi that infect humans. In a laboratory study, neem preparations
showed toxicity to cultures of 14 common fungi. The tree has suppressed several species of pathogenic bacteria,
including Salmonella typhosa and Staphylococus aureus. Various parts of A. indica have anthelmintic, antiperiodic,
antiseptic, diuretic and purgative actions, and are also used to treat boils, pimples, eye diseases, hepatitis, leprosy,
rheumatism, scrofula, ringworm and ulcers. Leaf teas are used to treat malaria. People use the twigs as toothbrushes,
and dentists find twigs effective in preventing periodontal disease. Neem oil is a powerful spermicide and can therefore
be used as an inexpensive birth control method. A neem oil-based product, Sensal, is being marketed in India as an
intravaginal contraceptive. Neem oil has been used traditionally as a topical treatment for skin symptoms in both
humans and livestock, but it should not be ingested orally.
SERVICES
Erosion control: Being drought resistant with a well-developed root system capable of extracting nutrient from the lower
soil levels, it is a suitable tree for dune-fixation
Shade or shelter: The large crown of A. indica makes it an effective shade tree, planted widely as an avenue tree in
towns and villages and along roads in many tropical countries. Because of its low branching, it is a valuable asset for
use as a windbreak.
Soil improver: Farmers in India use neem cake (the residue left after extracting oil from the seeds) as an organic
manure and soil amendment. It is believed to enhance the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers by reducing the rate of
nitrification and inhibiting soil pests including nematodes, fungi, and insects. A. indica leaves and small twigs are used
as mulch and green manure.
Intercropping: Intercropping A. indica with pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum, has given good results in India.
Palash (botanical name - Butea monosperma and frondosa ) is also sometimes called as ‘The Flame of the Forest’ - when large group of such trees are in flower it seems that the forest is on fire hence the name. The flowers, are scentless and consists of five petals comprising one standard, two smaller wings and a very curved beak-shaped keel. The Palash here is also associated with Holi as flowering happens near holi. For ones who wish to play herbal holi its flowers are boiled and the colour obtained is used to play Holi. Medically dried flowers are used as a diuretic. The gum obtained from the tree is called Bengal Kino. It contains tannin and is used in the treatment of diarrhoea. The seeds have anti-helminthic properties and are used in the treatment of worms. The flower is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
It is used for timber, resin, fodder, medicine, and dye. The gum from the tree, called kamarkas in Hindi, is used in certain food dishes. The gum is also known as Bengal Kino and is considered valuable by druggists because of its astringent qualities and by leather workers because of its tannin.[3] The wood is dirty white and soft and, being durable under water, is used for well-curbs and water scoops. Good charcoal can be made from it. The leaves are usually very leathery and not eaten by cattle.
In poorer regions of many parts, for example in Maharashtra, this tree amongst others provides leaves that are used either with many pieced together or singly (only in case of a banana leaf) to make a leaf-plate for serving a meal over, and for example a would-be son-in-law was in older times (until a century ago) was tested on his dexterity in making this plate and bowl (for serving more liquid parts of the meal such as daal or stew) before being declared acceptable by the would be father-in-law.
In West Bengal, it is associated with Spring (season), especially through the poems and songs of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who likened its bright orange flame-like flower to fire. In Santiniketan, where Tagore lived, this flower has become an indispensable part of the celebration of spring. The plant has lent its name to the town of Palashi, famous for the historic Battle of Plassey fought there.
It is said that the tree is a form of Agnidev, God of Fire. It was a punishment given to Him by Goddess Parvati for disturbing Her and Lord Shiva's privacy.
In the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, these flowers are specially used in the worship of Lord Shiva on occasion of Shivratri. In Telugu, this tree is called Modugu chettu.
In Kerala, this is called 'plasu' and 'chamata'. Chamata is the vernacular version of Sanskrit word 'Samidha', small piece of wood that use for 'agnihotra' or fire ritual. In most of the old namboodiri (Kerala Brahmin) houses, one can find this tree because this is widely use for their fire ritual.
This plant kills Mosquitoes. The Mosquitoes are attracted by the smell and color of the flower. They lay eggs in the liquid with in the flower but that eggs will never hatch. The Mosquitoes that touches the fluid can never escape from it.
History
Historically, dhak forests covered much of the doab area between the Ganges and Yamuna, but these were cleared for agriculture in the early 19th century as the English East India Company increased tax demands on the peasants.
Scientific classification
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B. monosperma
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Tamarind
The tamarind is a long-lived, medium-growth, bushy tree which attains a maximum crown height of 12.1 to 18.3 metres (40 to 60 feet). The crown has an irregular, vase-shaped outline of dense foliage. The tree grows well in full sun in clay, loam, sandy, and acidic soil types, with a high drought and aerosol salt (wind-borne salt as found in coastal area) resistance.
Leaves are evergreen, bright green in colour, elliptical ovular, arrangement is alternate, of the pinnately compound type, with pinnate venation and less than 5 cm (2 inches) in length. The branches droop from a single, central trunk as the tree matures and is often pruned in human agriculture to optimize tree density and ease of fruit harvest. At night, the leaflets close up.
The tamarind does flower, though inconspicuously, with red and yellow elongated flowers. Flowers are 2.5 cm wide (one inch), five-petalled, borne in small racemes, and yellow with orange or red streaks. Buds are pink as the four sepals are pink and are lost when the flower blooms.
The fruit is an indehiscent legume, sometimes called a pod, 12 to 15 cm (3 to 6 inches) in length, with a hard, brown shell.[5][6][7] The fruit has a fleshy, juicy, acidulous pulp. It is mature when the flesh is coloured brown or reddish-brown. The tamarinds of Asia have longer pods containing six to 12 seeds, whereas African and West Indian varieties have short pods containing one to six seeds. The seeds are somewhat flattened, and glossy brown.
The tamarind is best described as sweet and sour in taste, and is high in acid, sugar, B vitamins and, interestingly for a fruit, calcium.
Tamarind flowers
As a tropical species, it is frost sensitive. The pinnate leaves with opposite leaflets give a billowing effect in the wind. Tamarind timber consists of hard, dark red heartwood and softer, yellowish sapwood.
Tamarind is harvested by pulling the pod from its stalk. A mature tree may be capable of producing up to 175 kg (350 lb) of fruit per year. Veneer grafting, shield (T or inverted T) budding, and air layering may be used to propagate desirable selections. Such trees will usually fruit within three to four years if provided optimum growing conditions.
Alternative names
Globally, it is most numerous in South Asia, where it is widely distributed and has a long history of human cultivation. Many South Asian regional languages have their own unique name for the tamarind fruit. In Sanskrit, it is called tintidior "Aamlika". In Assamese, it is called teteli. It is called tetul (তেঁতুল) in Bangla. In Oriya, it is called tentuli, in Hindi it is called imli; in Gujarati the amli, and Marathi and Konkani the chinch; in Kannada it is called hunase (ಹುಣಸೆ), Telugu chintachettu (tree) and chintapandu (fruit extract), In Malayalam it is called vaalanpuli (വാളന്പുളി) and in Rajasthani it is known as Aamli (आम्ली). In Pakistan in Urdu, it is known as imli. In Sri Lanka in Sinhala, it is called siyambala; and northern areas in Tamil also as the puli (புளி). In the Cook Islands in Cook Islands Maori Māori Kūki Āirani or Rarotonganis language Tamarindus is called tamarene. In Thailand it is called má kăam (มะขาม).
Globally, it is most numerous in South Asia, where it is widely distributed and has a long history of human cultivation. Many South Asian regional languages have their own unique name for the tamarind fruit. In Sanskrit, it is called tintidior "Aamlika". In Assamese, it is called teteli. It is called tetul (তেঁতুল) in Bangla. In Oriya, it is called tentuli, in Hindi it is called imli; in Gujarati the amli, and Marathi and Konkani the chinch; in Kannada it is called hunase (ಹುಣಸೆ), Telugu chintachettu (tree) and chintapandu (fruit extract), In Malayalam it is called vaalanpuli (വാളന്പുളി) and in Rajasthani it is known as Aamli (आम्ली). In Pakistan in Urdu, it is known as imli. In Sri Lanka in Sinhala, it is called siyambala; and northern areas in Tamil also as the puli (புளி). In the Cook Islands in Cook Islands Maori Māori Kūki Āirani or Rarotonganis language Tamarindus is called tamarene. In Thailand it is called má kăam (มะขาม).
In Indonesia and Malaysia, tamarind is known as the asam (or asem) Jawa (means Javanese asam), which in the Indonesian and Malay languages, translates as Javanese sour [sic: fruit] (though the literature may also refer to it as sambaya). In the Philippines, tamarind is referred to as sampaloc, which is occasionally rendered as sambalog in Tagalog and sambag in Cebuano. The Vietnamese term is me. In Taiwan, it is called loan-tz. In Myanmar, it is called magee-bin (tree) and magee-thee (fruit). The tamarind is the provincial tree of the Phetchabun province of Thailand (in Thailand it is called ma-kham). In Laos it is called maak-kham. In Malagasy it is called voamadilo and kily.
In Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, it is called tamarindo. In the Caribbean, tamarind is sometimes called tamón.[2] In Trinidad and Tobago, however, it is also called "tambran".
In Ghana, it is called dawadawa. In Malawi, it is called bwemba. In Turkey, it is called "demir hindi". In Hausa ,it is called "Tsamiya"
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) should not be confused with "Manila tamarind" (Pithecellobium dulce), which is a different plant, though also of Fabaceae.
Cultivation
Seeds can be scarified or briefly boiled to enhance germination. They retain germination capability after several months if kept dry.
Although native to Sudan and tropical Africa, Mexico and Asia are the largest consumers and commercial producers of tamarind.
he tamarind has also long been naturalized in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the Pacific Islands. Thailand has the largest plantations of the ASEAN nations, followed by Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines. In India, extensive tamarind orchards produce 275,500 tons (250,000 MT) annually. The pulp is marketed in northern Malaya. It is cultivated all over India, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
In the United States, it is a large-scale commercial crop common (second in net production quantity to India) in the mainly Southern states due to tropical and semitropical climes, notably South Florida, and as a shade and fruit tree, along roadsides and in dooryards and parks. There are large commercial plantations in Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico.[8]
Usage
Culinary uses
Tamarind balls from Trinidad and Tobago
The fruit pulp is edible. The hard green pulp of a young fruit is considered by many to be too sour and acidic, but is often used as a component of savory dishes, as a pickling agent or as a means of making certain poisonous yams in Ghana safe for human consumption.
The ripened fruit is considered the more palatable, as it becomes sweeter and less sour (acidic) as it matures. It is used in desserts as a jam, blended into juices or sweetened drinks, sorbets, ice creams and all manner of snacks.
In Karnataka, India, the tamarind is called "Hunasae Hannu" and is used in saaru (lentil soup), sambhar or sambar (Vegetable Soup),Gojju(Sauce),Majjigae Huli (Yogurt based soup) and several types of chutnies. Imli chutney and pulusu use it. Along with tamarind, sugar and spices are added to (regional) taste for chutneys or a multitude of condiments for a bitter-sweet flavor. The immature pods and flowers are also pickled and used as a side dish. In regional cuisines, such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu (where it is called "Puli") and Andhra Pradesh, use it to make rasam, sambhar, vatha kuzhambu, and puliyogare. In Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, tender leaves of tamarind called chintha chiguru (ఛింత ఛిగురు) and puliyankozhunthu (புளியங்கொழுந்து) respectively, are used with lentils to make raw chutney. It is also dried and used in place of ripe tamarind for mild flavour. In southern parts of Kerala, mostly along the coastal belt, it is added to fish curry masalas, with ground coconut for flavouring.
Tamarind tree
In Trinidad and Tobago, tamarind is rolled into balls (5 cm in diameter) with white granulated sugar and a blend of spices to create tambran balls.
In Mexico, it is sold in various snack forms: dried and salted; or candied (see for example pulparindo or chamoy snacks).
Agua fresca beverage, iced fruit bars and raspados all use it as the main ingredient. In the United States, Mexican immigrants have fashioned the agua de tamarindo drink, the Jarritos tamarind drink (the first introduced and second most popular flavour of the brand) and many other treats. Tamarind snacks, such as Mexico's Pelon Pelo Rico candies are available in specialty food stores worldwide.
A traditional food plant in Africa, tamarind has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[10]
In southern Kenya, the Swahili people use it to garnish legumes and also make juices. In Somalia it is used to give rice some sour flavour. In Madagascar, its fruits and leaves are a well-known favorite of the ring-tailed lemurs, providing as much as 50% of their food resources during the year if available. In northern Nigeria, it is used with millet powder to prepare kunun tsamiya, a traditional pap mostly used as breakfast, and usually eaten with bean cake.[citation needed]
In Turkey, it is called "Demirhindi" and is consumed as a sweetened cold drink. It is also available as a fruit but is not well known by the general population since it is not grown locally and is imported.
The Javanese dish gurame and more so ikan asem, also known as ikan asam (sweet and sour fish, commonly a carp or river fish) is served throughout Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore; Some dishes in Manado, Sulawesi and Maluku cuisines use Tamarind.
In Myanmar, young and tender leaves and flower buds are eaten as a vegetable. A salad dish of tamarind leaves, boiled beans, and crushed peanuts topped with crispy fried onions is served in rural Myanmar.[citation needed]
In the Philippines, tamarind is used in foods like sinigang soup, and also made into candies. The leaves are also used in sinampalukan soup.
In Thailand, a cultivar has been bred specifically to be eaten as a fresh fruit: it is particularly sweet and minimally sour. It is also sometimes eaten preserved in sugar with chili as a sweet-and-spicy candy.[11] Pad Thai often includes tamarind for its tart/sweet taste (with lime juice added for sourness and fish sauce added for saltiness and umami). A tamarind-based sweet-and-sour sauce is served over deep-fried fish in central Thailand.
Medicinal uses
Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, sesquiterpenes, alkaloids and phlobatamins and other extracts active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, at temperatures of 4–30 °C (39–86 °F). Studies on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts on the test organisms showed the lowest MIC and the MBC were demonstrated against Salmonella paratyphi, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi and the highest MIC and MBC were exhibited against Staphylococcus aureus.[5]
In northern Nigeria, fresh stem bark and fresh leaves are used as decoction mixed with potash for the treatment of stomach disorders, general body pain, jaundice, yellow fever and as blood tonic and skin cleanser. In Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines and Javanese traditional medicine, asem leaves are used as a herbal infusion for malarial fever, the fruit juice as an antiseptic, and for scurvy and even cough cure. Throughout Southeast Asia fruit of the tamarind as used a poultice applied to foreheads of fever sufferers.[5]
Tamarind is used as in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for gastric and/or digestion problems, and in cardioprotective activity.
In animal studies, tamarind has been found to lower serum cholesterol and blood sugar levels.[12] Due to a lack of available human clinical trials, there is insufficient evidence to recommend tamarind for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia or diabetes.[13]
Based on human study, tamarind intake may delay the progression of skeletal fluorosis by enhancing excretion of fluoride. However, additional research is needed to confirm these results.[13]
Other medicinal uses include: Anthelminthic (expels worms), antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, asthma, astringent, bacterial skin infections (erysipelas), boils, chest pain, cholesterol metabolism disorders, colds, colic, conjunctivitis (pink eye), constipation (chronic or acute), diabetes, diarrhea (chronic), dry eyes, dysentery (severe diarrhea), eye inflammation, fever, food preservative, food uses (coloring), gallbladder disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, gingivitis, hemorrhoids, indigestion, insecticide, jaundice, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), leprosy, liver disorders, nausea and vomiting (pregnancy-related), paralysis, poisoning (Datura plant), rash, rheumatism, saliva production, skin disinfectant/sterilization, sore throat, sores, sprains, sunscreen, sunstroke, swelling (joints), urinary stones, wound healing (corneal epithelium).[13]
Carpentry uses
In temples, especially in Buddhist Asian countries, the fruit pulp is used to polish brass shrine furniture, removing dulling and the greenish patina that forms.[2]
The wood is a bold red color. Due to its density and durability, tamarind heartwood can be used in making furniture and wood flooring. A tamarind switch is sometimes used as an implement for corporal punishment.[citation needed]
Horticultural uses
Tamarind on a place of the foundation of city Santa Clara, Cuba
Throughout Asia and the tropical world, Tamarind trees are used as ornamental, garden and cash crop plantings. Commonly used as a Bonsai species in many Asian countries, it is also grown as an indoor bonsai in temperate parts of the world
Banyan Tree
The national tree of India, banyan is a very huge structure, long and deep roots and branches symbolize the country's unity. One can find banyan trees in throughout the nation. The huge sized tree acts as a shield, protects from hot sun. This is the reason why the tree is planted near homes, temples, villages and roadsides. In the rural parts of the country, banyan tree is considered as the focal point of the Panchayats and the gathering place for village councils and meetings. The tree is also considered sacred by the Hindus of India. With high medicinal value, banyan is often used as a herb to treat and cure many diseases. Given below is the description of banyan, the national tree of India.
Importance In The Indian Culture
The tradition of worshipping 'sacred' trees is prevalent among the people following Hinduism, since ages. Rig Veda and Atharva Veda stipulate that trees should be worshipped, for their inevitable role in human life. Banyan is considered one among the sacred trees. In the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is sometimes depicted sitting in silence, under the banyan tree, with the saints sitting at His feet. With its seemingly unending expansion, the banyan tree symbolizes eternal life. In Hindu culture, the tree is often called 'kalpavriksha', a Sanskrit word, which means 'a divine tree that fulfills wishes'. Married Hindu women worship the banyan tree to lead a long and happy married life.
Features
Banyan tree is characterized by a tangle of branches, roots and trunks. The tree is deeply rooted, which may spread across several acres. It is huge in size, thereby giving protection from hot sun. The tree bears fruits that look like figs. The fruits, which appear red in color when matured, are not edible. The dark green leaves of the tree are large and leathery. This is the reason why, the leaves are used as animal fodder. The flowers produced by the tree often attract wasps, for pollination. An old banyan tree can reach more than 656 feet in diameter and can be as tall as 98 feet. The rubber, produced from the sticky milk of banyan tree, is used for gardening.
Trivia
Importance In The Indian Culture
The tradition of worshipping 'sacred' trees is prevalent among the people following Hinduism, since ages. Rig Veda and Atharva Veda stipulate that trees should be worshipped, for their inevitable role in human life. Banyan is considered one among the sacred trees. In the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is sometimes depicted sitting in silence, under the banyan tree, with the saints sitting at His feet. With its seemingly unending expansion, the banyan tree symbolizes eternal life. In Hindu culture, the tree is often called 'kalpavriksha', a Sanskrit word, which means 'a divine tree that fulfills wishes'. Married Hindu women worship the banyan tree to lead a long and happy married life.
Features
Banyan tree is characterized by a tangle of branches, roots and trunks. The tree is deeply rooted, which may spread across several acres. It is huge in size, thereby giving protection from hot sun. The tree bears fruits that look like figs. The fruits, which appear red in color when matured, are not edible. The dark green leaves of the tree are large and leathery. This is the reason why, the leaves are used as animal fodder. The flowers produced by the tree often attract wasps, for pollination. An old banyan tree can reach more than 656 feet in diameter and can be as tall as 98 feet. The rubber, produced from the sticky milk of banyan tree, is used for gardening.
Trivia
- The name 'banyan' is derived from Banias, who rested under the trees to discuss their strategies regarding business.
- The widest tree in the world - the Great Banyan - is located in Kolkata. The tree is about 250 years old.
- Historical records say that Alexander the Great camped under a banyan tree that was large enough to provide shelter to his army of 7000 men.
- In many parts of the world, the wood and bark of the banyan tree are used for making paper.
- People even make use of the roots of the tree to make ropes, in order to secure wood bundles.
- The sap produced by banyan tree is often used to produce shellac, a strong adhesive. It can also be used to make surface-finisher.
- Women in Nepal crush the root of the banyan tree with a paste to make a herbal product, which is used by them as a hair and skin conditioner.
- In India and Pakistan, the twigs of banyan tree are sold as toothpicks in order to promote dental health.
- Banyan tree is well known for its medicinal uses. Its sap is a medicine for treating external skin inflammations and bruising, dysentery, toothaches and ulcers. Its bark and seeds are used to produce a herbal tonic that can cool the body. Diabetic patients are also treated by the tonic made from banyan tree.
Other Species
F. aurea, F. benghalensis, F. citrifolia, F. macrophylla, F. microcarpa, F.pertusa, F. rubiginosa are the other related species of the Banyan tree.
Cultivation methods
Banyan tree is easily propagated by root tip cuttings or the eye cuttings. Cut apiece of the stem about half a inch below and above the leaf. Insert the stem piece and a little of the leaf stalk into the rooting medium. To reduce evaporation from the leaf surface, you can roll the leaf and secure with a rubber band. In a couple weeks roots and a new shoot will start developing. It can grow in any type of soil.
Medicinal uses
The Banyan tree also has several medicinal properties. Its leaf, bark, seeds and fig are used for the variety of disorders like diarrhea, polyuria, dental, diabetes and urine disorders. The wood of the Banyan tree is used in making door panels, boxes and the other items. Its bark is used for making paper and ropes. The milky latex that comes from its leaves and stems is used in many Ayurvedic medicines.
Other uses
In India its edible leaves are used as the plates. It is planted for the soil conservation. Wood is used for well curbs, door panels, boxes, furniture etc. It is suitable for paper pulp. The wood of the aerial roots is stronger and is used for the tent poles and cart yokes.
Cultural importance
Banyan tree is respected and is considered as sacred by the people in India. In the sacred Hindu Book 'Bhagwad Gita' Lord Krishna has sung praises on the Banyan tree. People in India grow Banyan tree closer to the Peepal tree. As Banyan tree is considered as the male plant closely related to the Peepal tree. It symbolize Trimurti with Vishnu as the barl, Shiva as the branches and Brahma as the roots. Indians considered Banyan tree as 'Kalpa Vriksha' the tree that fulfill all your wishes.The mighty Banyan Tree is considered as immortal and has always been the focal point for the village communities in India. It is probably the biggest and friendliest of all trees. Banyan tree is the tree of knowledge and tree of life.
Red Coral Tree
The Coral Trees along Lake Claremont are blooming since a few weeks. The bright red flowers appear before the leaves at this tropical tree which gives stunning views of these beautiful flowers in bare branches against a deep blue sky.
Common name: Indian Coral Tree, Lenten tree, Tiger claw • Hindi: Pangara पंगार • Manipuri: Korou angangba • Tamil: முள்ளு முருக்கு Mullumurukku
Botanical name: Erythrina variegata Family: Fabaceae (pea family)
Synonyms: Erythrina indica
Botanical name: Erythrina variegata Family: Fabaceae (pea family)
Synonyms: Erythrina indica
Indian Coral Tree is a showy, spreading tree legume with brilliant red blossoms. This highly valued ornamental has been described as one of the gems of the floral world. It is a picturesque, broad and spreading, deciduous tree that can get 60-80 ft tall and spread 20-40 ft It has many stout branches that are armed with black tiger's claw spines. There are curved spines (really more like prickles) on the long leaf stalks too. The leaves are compound, with three diamond shaped leaflets, each about 6 in long. Before the leaves come out in late winter or early spring, coral tree puts on a spectacular show with bright crimson flowers 2-3 in long in dense terminal clusters. It may flower a little during the summer, too. The beanlike pods that follow the flowers are cylindrical, about 15 in long, and constricted between the reddish brown seeds. The naturally occurring variety orientalis has the veins of its leaflets highlighted with yellow or pale green. 'Parcellii', with yellow variegated leaves, may be just another name for the same variety. 'Alba' has white flowers.
Care Level: Expert Only
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Temperament: Peaceful
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Lighting: Low
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Waterflow: Medium to Strong
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Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
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Color Form: Orange, Red
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Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Iodine, Trace Elements
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Origin: Indonesia, Maricultured - Indonesia
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Family: Nephropidae
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The Red/Orange Flower Tree Coral is also referred to as the Scleronephthya Strawberry Coral, or Pink or Orange Cauliflower Coral. It closely resembles members of the Dendronephthya genus, and is somewhat easier to maintain. The stalks, branches, and tips of this coral tend to be various shades of the same color. It is a relatively peaceful coral colony.
It is moderately difficult to maintain in the reef aquarium and should be housed in an established reef aquarium by the experienced marine aquarist. The Flower Tree Coral will require low lighting levels combined with medium to strong indirect water movement. These corals will not usually fully open in direct water current, so water flow provided by a power head directed at the glass or nearby rock is ideal. For continued good health, the addition of strontium, iodine, and other trace elements to the water.
It does not contain symbiotic algae it can rely on for food. Therefore, its diet must include live, baby brine shrimp, micro-plankton, and other small foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates, in order to survive in the reef aquarium.
It is normally shipped attached to a small piece of live rock or rubble.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 5"; Large: 5" to 7"
I am a Gulmohar Tree
Down by the Chapel, across the highway street
I have a quiet home, I am a Gulmohar tree
My hands filled with green, a little yellow here and there
Red flowers on some, hues – pink, orange and pear
I have a quiet home, I am a Gulmohar tree
My hands filled with green, a little yellow here and there
Red flowers on some, hues – pink, orange and pear
My leaves as they turn, into sunny gold
I let them all twirl, and let the others mold
Those leaving the crew twirl down with élan
Petals, of flowers red, emotions you can darn
That’s me here I discuss, find an unspoiled girth
Of wind and water, of muddy ground of earth
I let them all twirl, and let the others mold
Those leaving the crew twirl down with élan
Petals, of flowers red, emotions you can darn
That’s me here I discuss, find an unspoiled girth
Of wind and water, of muddy ground of earth
On a Sunday morning, when I watch families pass
All have calmness written… their faces, not of brass
A boy comes around confessing a little prayer
For a girl so lovely, whom he’d always care
After school, the teacher let’s all children go
Eat, play and be cheery, and make friends and foe
All have calmness written… their faces, not of brass
A boy comes around confessing a little prayer
For a girl so lovely, whom he’d always care
After school, the teacher let’s all children go
Eat, play and be cheery, and make friends and foe
As I watch these scenes, a desperate wish arise
Many years from now, I watch all these things nice
I wish to be here always, watching everybody twirl and mold
I am a Gulmohar tree; do not cut me until I grow old!!
Many years from now, I watch all these things nice
I wish to be here always, watching everybody twirl and mold
I am a Gulmohar tree; do not cut me until I grow old!!
Description
The flowers are large, with four spreading scarlet or orange-red petals up to 8 cm long, and a fifth upright petal called the standard, which is slightly larger and spotted with yellow and white. The naturally occurring variety flavida has yellow flowers.[3] Seed pods are dark brown and can be up to 60 cm long and 5 cm wide; the individual seeds, however, are small, weighing around 0.4 g on average. The compound leaves have a feathery appearance and are a characteristic light, bright green. They are doubly pinnate: Each leaf is 30–50 cm long and has 20 to 40 pairs of primary leaflets or pinnae on it, and each of these is further divided into 10-20 pairs of secondary leaflets or pinnules.The Royal Poinciana requires a tropical or near-tropical climate, but can tolerate drought and salty conditions. It is very widely grown in the Caribbean, Africa, Northern Australia (as far south as South east Queensland, although in sheltered micro climates it can be successfully grown in some areas of Sydney), Hong Kong, the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Thailand, Taiwan and southern China, and is also the city tree of Tainan, Taiwan and Xiamen, Fujian Province, and People's Republic of China. National Cheng Kung University, a university located in Tainan, put Royal Poinciana on its emblem. It also grows throughout southern Brazil, with ornamental trees in Rio Grande do Sul (Canoas and Porto Alegre).[4]
In the United States, it grows only in South Florida, Southwest Florida, the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, ranging from the low deserts of Southern Arizona (to as high as Tucson), Southern California, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, where it is the official tree of the islands. It is much loved in the Caribbean; for example, many Puerto Rican paintings feature Flamboyant Trees, it can also be found in The Bahamas as well. The Poinciana is also the national flower of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Royal Poinciana is regarded as naturalised in many of the locations where it is grown. It is a very popular street plant in a lot of the suburbs of Brisbane, Australia although it is seen by some as an invasive species in some parts of Australia because its dense shade and root system prevent the growth of other species under it. The tree is also found in India and Pakistan, where it is referred to as the Gulmohar, or Gul Mohr.[5] In West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh it is called Krishnachura.
In Puerto Rico, a town located about 12 miles away from Ponce, has been nicknamed "The Valley of the Flames" or "El Valle de los Flamboyanes", known as the town Penuelas. The people from this town are known as "Penolanos". The Flamboyant trees are spread around the surrounding Guyanes, Macana, and Tallaboa Rivers.
In Vietnam, this tree is called "Phượng vỹ", or phoenix's tail, and is a popular urban tree in much of Vietnam. Its flowering season is May - July, which coincides with the end of the school year in Vietnam. Because of this timing, the flower of Poinciana is sometimes called the "flower of pupil", and often generates strong emotions among graduating high school pupils, as the Poinciana bloom when they are about to leave their school and their childhood behind. Hai Phong city has a nickname of "City of red Poinciana" or "Thành phố hoa phượng đỏ".
The seed pods of the Royal Poincianas are used in the Caribbean as a percussion instrument known as the shak-shak or maraca.
Flowering season
· South Florida: May–June
· Vietnam: May–July
· Caribbean: May–September
· India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: April–June
· Australia: December–February
· Northern Mariana Islands: March–June
· United Arab Emirates: April–June
· Philippines: April–June
· Brazil: November–February
· Southern Sudan: March–May
· Thailand: April–May
· Zimbabwe: October–December
Flowers:Its flowers are large in size with four red-orange petals spreading to all four sides. The flowers of the Gulmohar tree are distinctive and highly ornamental, it consists of fern like leaves, and flame red flowers which is why it is also called “flame tree”. This tree has been named “Flamboyant” and “Royal Poinciana” as well because of its spectacular display of flowers. The Gulmohar is literally translated into “Gul” meaning flower and “Mohar” meaning Peacock in India and Pakistan. In Bengal it is called Krishnachura meaning the “Crown of Lord Krishna” and in Vietnam it is called Phượng vĩ which means the “Tail of The Phoenix”.
Climate and flowering:
This tree is an evergreen, and is cultivated due to the shade that it provides and the flowers that it displays once fully grown. The tree requires a tropical or a semi tropical climate to grow, and does not fare well in wet climates. During a drought the tree may shed its leaves but is a hardy survivor. It usually flowers from late spring to summer and sometimes even autumn depending upon the variety that is grown.
Soil and location:
The tree requires well draining, sandy soil that is not too rich. The seedlings are hardy survivors and don’t require too much care. The most ideal spots to plant the tree are sunny spacious locations that can allow the tree to grow tall and spread its canopy wide, and allow the roots to grow deep within the ground. The tree grows slowly and reaches maturity after a few years, when it is ready to give flowers and seeds.
Watering and feeding:
Once or twice weekly heavy watering is all the tree requires and feeding the tree once every two months is good enough. Keep an eye out for common plant pests and the tree can grow for several years giving a spectacular display of flowers every season.
White Cedar
Description
General - small-sized, averaging 12 m (40 ft) high, evergreen. Crown is conical, dense, layered and compact. Branches arching. Trunk strongly tapered, often gnarled with thin reddy-brown bark. Branchlets yellowish-green, clad in sheathing foliage, forming flat, fan-shaped sprays.
Leaves - opposite; scale-like, closely overlapping, successive pairs at right angles; upper and lower leaves flat, with a protruding resin gland, lateral leaves folded, clasping the flat leaves.
Flowers - monoecious, the male and female flowers of eastern white-cedar are usually borne on separate twigs or branchlets; they are tiny, terminal, cone-like bodies. Male flowers are yellowish and arise from branchlets near the base of the shoot; female flowers are pinkish and appear at the tips of short terminal branchlets.
Fruit - Ripe cones are pale cinnamon brown, oblong, and 8 - 13 mm (0.3 - 0.5 in) long. Woody scales of mature female cones enclose double-winged seeds which are released the year after development.
Habitat
Common throughout Northwestern Ontario, the eastern white cedar is most often associated with cool, moist, nutrient-rich sites, particularly on organic soils near streams or other drainage-ways, or on calcareous mineral soils.
The eastern white-cedar type commonly grows in association with balsam fir and tamarack in the boreal region.
Except when dense, eastern white-cedar stands usually have an undergrowth of shrubs and herbs. Speckled alder is commonly the most important shrub on the better sites. Other characteristic shrubs on the better sites (especially in swamps) include mountain maple, red-osier dogwood and Canada fly honeysuckle. On poorer sites they include Labrador tea, blueberries and wintergreen.
Characteristic herbs on the better sites (especially in swamps) include dwarf raspberry, wild lily-of-the-valley and bunchberry. On poorer sites they include false Solomon's-seal. Ground cover is usually a mosaic of sphagnum and other mosses, liverworts and decaying logs.
Leaves: Scale-like and arranged in a flattend spray growing only 1/8". Flower/Fruits: Cones are bell shaped and are about 1/2" long.
Twigs/Bark: Twigs are also flattened like the leaves and are rough. Trees that grow in the open often have branches that touch the ground, otherwise the trunk is visible; the trunk may be divided into two or more secondary trunks of equal size. Bark is shredded and fiberous with numerous cross-thatched ridges.
Form/Habitat: Usually this tree reaches hieghts of 40'-50' feet and is slow growing. Northern white-cedar develops a widespreading root system which is well adapted to allow survival in several soils and also in the cracks of rocks. This species is threatened or endangered in neighboring states such as Massachuesetts and Connecticut. It has a wide range of locations in both uplands and lowlands. The uplands include old fields and cliffs, and lowland habitats include swamps, streambanks, and lakeshores.
Interesting Fact: Northern White Cedar tree can reach ages of 800 years and the oldest know tree was on the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario dated 1,032 years.
FISHES
Fish culture is practiced in less than 30 percent of the total
areas available. This has a potential to create huge job opportunities,
provided fish cultivation is done on a scientific basis
India is a large producer of
inland fish, ranking next only to Japan.
With an abundance of freshwater
resources, India has still not been able to tap even 30% of the potential area
for inland fish production. Many entrepreneurs have, however, chosen to take
this occupation on commercial scale. This is best manifested in Andhra Pradesh,
which with 10,56,000 tons of inland fish production in 2007-08 ranked next only
to West Bengal, which is far more endowed with water resources. Andhra Pradesh
has emerged among the ranks encouraging farmers to form cooperatives to take up
farming in ponds around Kolleru lake.
Both the central and state
governments have come up with schemes to help the cause of the farmers.
Fish culture in ponds
Out of the total inland fish production of over 3.6 million metric tons, more than 60% is contributed by fish culture in ponds and reservoirs. The average productivity from ponds on the national level is around 2,500 kg/ha/year, though in Andhra Pradesh and Haryana it is more than 5,000 kg/ha/year, while in some other states like Bihar and UP it is anywhere between 1,500 and 2,500 kg/ha/year. Fish culture is adopted by all kinds of farmers – small and marginal ones, relatively larger farmers and those who do it on commercial scale. Sizes of ponds also depend on how affluent the farmers are. Ponds less than 100 square meters in area prove unsustainable, while those above 1 hectare are expensive for small players. Many farmers in Tamil Nadu, for instance, use ponds of sizes 30 feet by 30 feet to make their living. On the other hand, a water spread of anything less than 10 hectares in Andhra Pradesh is treated as a pond.
Out of the total inland fish production of over 3.6 million metric tons, more than 60% is contributed by fish culture in ponds and reservoirs. The average productivity from ponds on the national level is around 2,500 kg/ha/year, though in Andhra Pradesh and Haryana it is more than 5,000 kg/ha/year, while in some other states like Bihar and UP it is anywhere between 1,500 and 2,500 kg/ha/year. Fish culture is adopted by all kinds of farmers – small and marginal ones, relatively larger farmers and those who do it on commercial scale. Sizes of ponds also depend on how affluent the farmers are. Ponds less than 100 square meters in area prove unsustainable, while those above 1 hectare are expensive for small players. Many farmers in Tamil Nadu, for instance, use ponds of sizes 30 feet by 30 feet to make their living. On the other hand, a water spread of anything less than 10 hectares in Andhra Pradesh is treated as a pond.
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Fish Species Bred in
Ponds
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3.6 million metric tons - Annual produce of
inland fish in India, 60 % - come from fish culture in ponds and reservoirs,
60 species - cultivated in different parts of India in ponds or reservoirs,
80% - contribution of carps from fish culture
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Major species cultured in ponds
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Indian major carps – rohu, catla and mrigal
Exotic carps – silver carp, grass carp, common carp Catfish – magur, ari, singhi. Tilapia – also known as kowai. Trout – golden mahseer, silver mahseer, silver grey mahseer and black mahseer. |
Ponds can be perennial or seasonal. While
seasonal ponds can be used for short-term fish culture, provided they retain
water for at least four to five months, perennial ponds are suited for fish
culture on a larger scale. Since water dries up in a few months, seasonal ponds
are easy to harvest fish. Any perennial pond retaining water depth of 2 meters
can be used for fish culture. Dr Gopinath Sai, executive director (technical), National
Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), says a water level of 3 to 4 feet is
preferable, even in summer. Fish farming can be practiced on scientific lines
in perennial ponds only, though seasonal ponds can be used to cultivate fry.
Though different pond shapes are being adopted by farmers, rectangular ponds
are easier to work on, Sai points out. He says freshwater fish culture is a
very profitable business provided farmers take up this on scientific lines.
Quality of soil, water, fish seed and fish food needs to be of reasonably good
quality to have better yields. The soil for ponds should be able to retain
water, and hence clayey soil is preferable. The water should not be acidic in
nature, nor should it be highly alkaline. It should be treated with appropriate
quantity of lime. Provision for inlets and outlets should be made in ponds, as
Sai and C Ratnamachari, joint director, Inland Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh, says.
However, Ranjit, a fish farmer from Bihar, now
into fish culture and retail trading in Delhi, says, “We do not know about any
inlets or outlets in our ponds but we manage a good catch despite that.”
Ponds are not the natural habitat of fish; it is
rivers and canals. This makes it imperative for farmers to provide food from
outside and also create a desirable environment. Fish food is provided in the
form of oil cakes and rice bran. But to create conditions suitable for other
organisms to grow inside ponds, fertilizers need to be applied. A combination
of organic and inorganic fertilizers is ideal, Ratnamachari says. Their
application depends on the soil quality to a great extent.
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India has over 100 varieties of freshwater ornamental fish which can be
cultured in ponds.
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85% of the trade in ornamental fish in India is done from the north-eastern
states.
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Rest comes from the south Indian states.
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India's share in global trade less than 1%
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Domestic market for ornamental fish is growing at 20 percent annually.
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Domestic market is currently worth over Rs 500 million.
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Indian ornamental fish species can be classified into live-bearer types (they
do not lay eggs, but reproduce free-swimming offsprings) and egg-layer types.
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Most popular of the live-bearer ornamental fish species are guppies, molly,
sword tail and platy.
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Most important egg-layer types include goldfish, koi carp, zebra danio,
red-line torpedo and angelfish.
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These are exported mainly to Singapore and Hong Kong.
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CATLA:
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Catla
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Species:
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C.
catla
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Taxonomic Issues:
While some sources such as Fishbase and Taxonomicon consider this
species to belong to the genus Catla, ITIS considers it to
belong to the genus Gibelion,
Heckel, 1843.
Aquaculture:
Mrigal:
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C.
cirrhosus
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The Mrigal carp (Cirrhinus cirrhosus or Cirrhinus
mrigala), also known as Indian
Carp, is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Cirrhinus. Native to the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers of the Indian Subcontinent, it is extensively aquafarmed, with
463,520 t harvested in 2008.
Facts & Figures
Common name:
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Mrigal, Mrigal Carp, Indian mrigal carp
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Local Thai Name:
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Pla Nuan Tjan
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Max published weight:
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100cm SL – 13 Kg
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Environment:
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Benthopelagic, potamodromous, freshwater & brackish water
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Status:
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Introduced
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Freshwater Fish Species Of Thailand
The mrigal ( Cirrhinus cirrhosus ) is a freshwater fish species in the carps family (family Cyprinidae) of order Cypriniformes (carps & minnows). The mrigal is an introduced specie and is actually native to large river systems of India.
Natural Food Source
The mrigal in its natural habitat would feed primarily on detritus such as debris found in the bottom layers of the water. Also a keen algae and invertebrates feeder.
Mrigal Identification
The body has perfectly symetrical small silver\grey scales and it's torpedo shaped, elongated body is designed for fast flowing water. In appearance the mrigal looks similar to chub or grass carp.
Mrigal Fishing Thailand
| Fish Thailand venue: | Fishing Bangkok at Shadow Lake |
| Fishing season: | All year |
| Lake record | Approx. 5.0 Kg |
The mrigal can be caught all year round by fishing Bangkok at Shadow Lake with the Fish Thailand Team. It is common to catch many of mrigal in a 1 day session at this venue and although do not grow as big as other carp species they boast tremendous strength and a joy to catch.
Proven techniques to catch the mrigal at Shadow Lake are method fished bread crumb with bread flake on the hook fished hard on the bottom, although can also be caught higher up in the water.
Rohu:
Rohi or Rohu (Labeo rohita, Bihar - रोहू मछली, Bengali: রুই),(Oriya: ରୋହୀ) is a
fish of the carp family Cyprinidae, found
commonly in rivers and freshwater lakes in and around South
Asia and South-East Asia. It is a
herbivore. It is treated as a delicacy in Bangladesh, Nepal and
the Indian states
of Bihar, Orissa, Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh[citation
needed]. TheMaithil Brahmins and
the Kayastha community of
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh treats it as one of their most sacred foods: to be
eaten on all auspicious occasions[citation
needed].
It is called rahu in Nepali.In Hindi it is called rehu (rawas is the Indian Salmon, which is quite
different). It is called rohi in Oriya, rui in Bengali, rou in Assamese and Sylheti, rohu it
self inMalayalam[citation
needed], and is
reared in Kerala. It is popular in Thailand, Bangladesh, northernIndia and Pakistan. It is a
non-oily/white fish.
The roe of rohu is also considered as a delicacy by Bhojpur, Maithili, Oriyas and Bengalis. It is
deep fried and served hot as an appetizer as part of an Bihari, Oriya and
Bengali meal. It is also stuffed inside pointed
gourd to make potoler dolma which is considered a delicacy. Rohu is also served deep fried in mustard
oil, as kalia which is a rich gravy made of
concoction of spices and deeply browned onions and tok, where the fish is cooked
in a tangy sauce made of tamarind and mustard. Rohu is also very popular in Northern India
and Pakistan such as in the province of Punjab. In Lahore it is a specialty of
Lahori cuisine in Lahori fried fish where it is prepared with batter and
spices. It is also a very popular food fish in Iraq
Biology:
During the
early stages of its lifecycle, it eats mainly zooplankton, but as it grows, it
eats more and more phytoplankton, and as a juvenile or adult is a herbivorous
column feeder, eating mainly phytoplankton and submerged vegetation. It has
modified, thin hair-like gill rakers, suggesting that it feeds by sieving the
water[original research?].
It is
diurnal and generally solitary. It reaches sexual maturity between two and five
years. In nature, it spawns in the marginal areas of flooded rivers.
Tilapia:
Tilapia:
( /tɨˈlɑːpiə/ ti-lah-pee-ə), is the common
name for nearly a hundred species of cichlidfish from the tilapiine cichlid tribe. Tilapia inhabit a variety
of fresh water habitats, including shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes.
Historically, they have been of major importance inartisan fishing in Africa and the Levant, and are of increasing importance in aquaculture.
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Tilapia
can become problematic invasive species in new warm-water habitats, whether deliberately or accidentally introduced, but generally not in temperate climates due to their inability to
survive in cool waters, generally below 60
°F (16 °C). (See tilapia as exotic species).
Fish farming:
Tilapia is
the fifth most important fish in fish farming, with
production reaching 1,505,804 metric tons in 2000.Because of their large
size, rapid growth, and palatability, tilapiine cichlids are
the focus of major farming efforts, specifically various species of Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, and Tilapia, collectively known
colloquially as tilapia. Like other large fish, they are a good source of protein and popular
among artisanal and commercial fisheries. Most such
fisheries were originally found inAfrica, but outdoor fish farms in tropical countries, such as Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, andIndonesia, are
underway in freshwater lakes.In temperate zone localities,
tilapiine farming operations require energy to warm the water to tropical
temperatures. One method uses waste heat from factories and power stations.
Commercially
grown tilapia are almost exclusively male. Cultivators use hormones, such astestosterone, to reverse
the sex of newly spawned females. Because tilapia are prolific breeders, the
presence of female tilapia results in rapidly increasing populations of small
fish, rather than a stable population of harvest-size animals.
Other
methods of tilapia population control are polyculture, with predators farmed
alongside tilapia or hybridization with other species.
Whole
tilapia fish can be processed into skinless, boneless (PBO) fillets: the yield
is from 30 percent to 37 percent, depending on fillet size and final trim. The use of tilapia in the commercial
food industry has led to the virtual extinction of genetically pure bloodlines.
Most wild tilapia today are hybrids of several species.
A Clear View of Blackwater Fish
By Frank Greco, Senior Aquarist, New York Aquarium
By Frank Greco, Senior Aquarist, New York Aquarium
When we think of aquariums, we picture tanks of crystal clear water inhabited by brightly colored fishes. However, not all tropical fishes live in such waters. There are those who live in water stained dark by the tannins released by the plant material that falls into their rivers, lakes, ponds, and swamps. These are the fishes of the black waters.
Blackwater fishes are not uncommon in the aquarium trade, although we generally fail to recognize them as such. The very popular neon and cardinal tetras and discus from South America can be considered blackwater fishes, as can the Microrasboras from Asia. Species bettas and licorice gouramies, also from Asia, also live in this type of environment.
Setting up a Black Water Tank
Setting up a tank for blackwater fishes requires no special equipment. In fact, it is set up much in the same way you'd set up any aquarium (see my article, "Building Atlantis From the Ground Up" in the Archives of New York Tails for some basic ideas regarding aquarium setups) with a few conditions taken into consideration:"
- Due to the small size of many of the more commonly available blackwater fishes, especially those from Asia, a larger tank is not a necessity (although a large tank would look spectacular!). Nanotanks and mini-aquariums can house a nice community of backwater fishes.
- Blackwater habitats tend to have soft, acidic water, so you'll need to manipulate both the pH and hardness of your tap water to put in this kind of tank. This is a lot easier than it sounds. There are three ways you can go about making blackwater:
a.) buy a commercially available blackwater mix;
b.)boil clean oak leaves (gathered after they have turned brown), and use the resulting liquid (which will be the color of very dark tea), or
c.) place some long-stemmed sphagnum moss (available from your local garden center) in a nylon bag inside your filter. (You want to use plain sphagnum moss--no additives.)
- A pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 is perfect for these fish, and this can be achieved by mixing some of the blackwater to your tank water, and then checking the pH. You will need to do this several times in order to get within the right pH range.
Still Waters
Since these fish come from relatively slow-moving waters, lots of water movement is not essential (as it would be in a river tank, which will be a topic for another column). Nor do you need a lot of light (a standard fluorescent fixture will do the trick). For decorations, a fine sand substrate and lots of driftwood is the way to go. You can also use boiled oak leaves on top of the sand. Using the boiled oak leaves as part of the decor leads to a more natural looking aquascape, but it also adds to the maintenance load. As the leaves decay, you will need to remove the bits and pieces that tend to fall off. All in all I think it's worth the extra bother. Low-light plants, such as Cryptocorenes, may also be added as part of the scenery, or you may use plastic plants.
Blackwater Fish
There are many blackwater species: Neon and Cardinal Tetras; Chili, Phoenix, Dwarf and Galaxy Rasboras, Licorice and Chocolate Gouramies and Wild Bettas are just some of the types of fish you may consider using for this kind of tank. None of these fish are difficult to feed, and all will accept prepared foods. Your local fish shop should be able to help you pick out others.
Scleropages formosus:
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/junglemikey/arowana3-rajang062008.jpg)
| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANIMALIA | CHORDATA | ACTINOPTERYGII | OSTEOGLOSSIFORMES | OSTEOGLOSSIDAE |
| Scientific Name: | Scleropages formosus | |||||||||
| Species Authority: | (Schlegel & Müller, 1844) | |||||||||
Common Name/s:
| ||||||||||
| Taxonomic Notes: | Until 2003, all Scleropages from southeast Asia were considered to belong to the same species; S. formosus. In 2003 Pouyaud et al., considered there to actually be four species, three of which they described as new (S. aureus, S. legendrei, S. macrocephalus). Kottelat and Widjanarti (2005) reviewed the published data and did not reach the same conclusions from the quality of the data presented, and in order for more than one species to be recognised, a professional standard study would need to be presented. | |||||||||
Geographic Range
| Range Description: | This species occurs in the Mekong basin in Viet Nam and Cambodia, southeastern Thailand, Tenassarim (Myanmar), the Malay Peninsula from Sungai Golok southwards, Borneo, Sumatra. This species was also introduced to Singapore (Blanc and D'Aubenton 1965, Kottelat et al. 1993, Kottelat and Lim 1995, Rainboth 1996). |
| Countries: |
Native:
Cambodia; Myanmar; Thailand; Viet Nam
Introduced:
Singapore
|
![[image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/junglemikey/arowana-rajang062008.jpg)
Population
| Population: | The population of this species is at very low density throughout its range following significant declines in the past of well over 50% (M. Kottelat pers. comm. 2011). Populations are currently decreasing. |
| Population Trend: |  Decreasing |
Habitat and Ecology
| Habitat and Ecology: | This is a fairly large mouthbrooding fish which lives in lakes, deep parts of swamps, flooded forests and stretches of deep rivers with slow currents and dense, overhanging vegetation (M. Kottelat pers. comm. 2011). |
| Systems: | Freshwater |
Threats
| Major Threat(s): | This species has been targeted for the aquarium trade since the 1970s, which has impacted populations. Now trade is regulated, but enforcement is not optimal and there is still pressure on some of the wild populations (the most colourful ones). It is also caught incidentally in local fisheries. Habitat degradation throughout the species range caused by a variety of human activities is now its main threat. For example, a number of swamp habitats have been transformed into agricultural land. Areas of forested habitat have been logged and transformed into plantations. Forest fires have impacted most of the species range in Indonesia, especially peat swamp forests (M. Kottelat pers. comm. 2011). |
Conservation Actions
| Conservation Actions: | This species has been listed on Appendix I of CITES since 1975. Parts of the species range is within protected areas. These are mostly swamps and lakes but aquatic biodiversity is not really considered. |
