Flora of Bihar

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1. Flora of Bihar Welcome By Manomay Shubham, Class 8B, Delhi Public School, Patna

2. India is a vast and diverse nation.  Each state boasts of its unique features. As soon as we cross over to one state from another, we will notice a distinct change in all possible aspects. One Indian state that has attracted tourists from all directions is Bihar. Apart from the rich culture, heritage and the history of the area, flora and fauna will also mesmerize both national and international tourists. Bihar plain is divided by the River Ganges into North and South Bihar, and it lies completely in the Subtropical region of the Temperate Zone, and has a subtropical climate. This climatic condition impacts the diverse and manifold flora of the region directly.

3. There is no scarcity of fertile land, due to the deposition of silt which makes this part ideal for agricultural and natural growth of plants, which are indigenous to this area. Different parts of Bihar have different vegetations.  Bihar contains sub-Himalayan foothills and mountains with moist deciduous forest, mixed shrubs, grass and reeds. Discovering the diverse flora of Bihar...

4. The western part of Bihar shares the damp climate of West Bengal. The concentration of the mahua trees is high in this area. The population of these trees fades as you travel towards central Bihar. The vegetation in the central area mainly comprises of shrubs and bushes.  Let's take a tour of the manifold and assorted flora of Bihar ….

5. Peepal  : is the state tree of Bihar;  It's a species of fig;  The sacred fig is considered to have a religious significance in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.  Hindu and Jain ascetics consider the tree to be sacred and often meditate under them. Hindus do  pradakshina  (circumambulation, or meditative pacing) around the sacred fig tree as a mark of worship.  Peepal is used in traditional medicine for about fifty types of disorders including asthma, diabetes, diarrhea, epilepsy, gastric problems.  Kachnar : has garnered the honor of the state flower of Bihar;  It's a species of flowering shrub;   It is widely cultivated throughout the tropics as an ornamental plant. The white flowers of kachnar are used to worship Lakshmi , the goddess of wealth and Saraswati , the goddess of knowledge. 

6. TULSI Tulsi  : It’s an aromatic perennial plant; Tulsi is cultivated for religious and traditional medicine purposes, and also for its essential oil. It is widely used as a herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda. And has a place in Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving holy basil plants or leaves. Tulsi, Tulasi or Vrinda (Holy Basil) is a sacred plant in Hindu belief. Hindus regard it as an earthly manifestation of the goddess Tulsi; she is regarded as the avatar of Lakshmi, and thus the consort of the god Vishnu. In other legends, she is called Vrinda and distinct from Lakshmi. Many Hindus have tulsi plants growing in front of or near their home, often in special pots or a special masonry structure known as Tulsi Vrindavan as this is related to their culture.  While tree worship is not uncommon in Hinduism, the Tulsi plant is regarded as the holiest of all plants.

7. Mahua : It's an Indian tropical tree;   In many parts of Bihar, such as villages in the district of Siwan, the flowers of mahua tree are sun-dried and these sun-dried flowers are ground to flour and used to make various kinds of breads.  The fat (solid at ambient temperature) is used for the care of the skin, to manufacture soap or detergents, and as a vegetable butter. The seed cakes obtained after extraction of oil constitute very good fertilizer.  Several parts of the tree, including the bark, are used for their medicinal properties.  The leaves of Mahua are fed on by the moth  Antheraea paphia , which produces  tassar silk. Sal : It's evergreen in drier areas, and in drier areas it is dry-season deciduous;  In Hindu tradition, the sal tree is said to be favoured by Vishnu.  Sal is one of the most important sources of hardwood timber in India.  Sal seeds and fruit are a source of lamp oil and vegetable fat.  The seed oil is extracted from the seeds and used as cooking oil after refining.  It is used as an astringent in Ayurvedic medicine, burned as incense in Hindu ceremonies, and used to caulk boats and ships. The sal tree is  also known as " sakhua ".

8. Tendu/Kendu : It's a flowering tree;  Locally it is known by its Hindi name  tendu .   The olive-green fruit of the tree is edible.  The leaves can be wrapped around tobacco to create the Indian  beedi .  Bahera : It's a large deciduous tree;   The seeds are called  bedda nuts . Its fruit is used in the popular Indian herbal  rasayana  treatment  triphala .  In the Charaka Samhita, the ancient Ayurvedic text, Bibhitaki fruits are mentioned as having qualities to alleviate disease, and bestow longevity, intellectual prowess and strength.   This kernels are eaten by the Lodha people  for their mind-altering qualities. Sugarcane   : It's a tall perennial grass Raw sugarcane is chewed to extract the juice, sugarcane juice and jaggery are also obtained from it. Many gods and goddesses are depicted through mythology as holding sugarcane, which  symbolises  firmness, straightforwardness with a core of sweetness within.  

9. Asna/Asan : It is a prominent part of both dry and moist deciduous forests; The wood is used for furniture. The leaves are used as food by  Antheraea paphia  (silkworms) which produce the tassar silk.  The bark is used medicinally against diarrhoea.  Oxalic acid can be extracted from it.  Water stored in the stem is often tapped and used as a source of potable water in the summer by forest folk.   In  Theravada Buddhism , a tree of this kind is said to have been used as the tree for achieving enlightenment by the twentieth Buddha called “Tissa”      Bael  : It's an important tree in Hinduism, its leaves are much sought after for the worship of the three-eyed Lord Shiva .  Incidentally, here it is suggested that the Goddess Lakshmi resides in the plant.  Bael trees are considered an incarnation of Goddess  Sati .  The fruits can be eaten either fresh from trees or after being dried and produced into candy, toffee. It can be made into  sharbat , also called as  Bael pana . 

10. Arjuna  : The arjuna is one of the species whose - Leaves are fed on by the  Antheraea paphia moth which produces the tassar silk. The arjuna was in Ayurveda as a treatment for heart disease  It is traditionally prepared as a milk decoction.  It is mentioned that Arjuna tree was used in the treatment of wounds, hemorrhages and ulcers, applied topically as a powder.   In  Theravada Buddhism , Arjuna is said to have been used as the tree for achieved enlightenment, by the tenth Buddha called "Anomadassi Buddha".    Kadamba  : It is an evergreen, tropical tree;  The flowers are used in perfumes.  The tree is grown as an ornamental plant and for timber and paper-making.  Kadamba features in Indian religions and mythologies.  This tree is often seen in depictions of Krishna , whether he is playing the flute as a cowherd, surrounded by  gopis  in a  raas  or when he hides up in its branches while they bathe and as seated on a swing with his Radha . Not only temple art and sculpture in Northern India, but also miniature painting styles bring in the tree, which is religiously significant in the Vaishnav tradition.

11. Some of the other types of flora in Bihar are.....

12. Wrightia antidysenterica (Kutaja)     : The  coral swirl  or  tellicherry bark , is a flowering plant;  It has long been known in Indian Ayurvedic tradition. It is known in Sanskrit as  kuṭaja  or  ambikā .  Wrightia antidysenterica may be useful in treating gut motility disorders ;  The juice of this plant is a potent ingredient for a mixture of wall plaster, according to the Samarāṅgaṇa Sūtradhāra , which is a Sanskrit treatise dealing with Śilpaśāstra (Hindu science of art and construction).  Ziziphus xylopyrus (Jujab /Katber)  : A large shrub or small tree; Bark and leaf powder paste are applied externally for chest pain arising from cough.  In stomach ache and indigestion, fruit powder (3-4 g) is administered with a pinch of ginger powder thrice in a day. In different parts of India this plant is also used in the treatment of diarrhoea. Leaf paste is applied on pimples. The bark is used as dental sticks for teeth cleaning. 

13. Flemingia chappar : Deciduous perennial plant; The plant (part not specified) is used in the treatment of epilepsy, hysteria, insomnia and to relieve pain.  The roots are used in the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, acidity and stomach disorders.  The pounded or powdered root is taken internally in the treatment of filariasis.  One to two drops of juice extracted from the pressed seeds is put in the eyes as a remedy in eye troubles and also to remove cataract  The wood is used for toothbrushes. Butea parviflora (Maula)  : A flowering tree;  Because of the tree’s bright reddish orange colored Tesu blooms , it is also referred to as Flame of the Forest. Butea Parviflora is regarded as the “Treasurer of the gods.”  Sacred utensils are made from the tree’s wood.  Flower offerings are made to the goddess, Kali .  Dried stem fragments are burned as sacred fires.  Ayurvedic medicine has long used the bark, flowers, and gum to heal many health ailments.  Today’s scientists are now taking a closer look at Butea Parviflora for prevention of hair loss.

14. If we are interested in spending some quality time with nature, then a trip to Bihar must be on our bucket list.