Lovely pictures, Debasish ji. Here are some extracts from Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinia_grandis
*Coccinia grandis*, also called *tindora' (tindori, tindoori),* *ghiloda,kundri , kundru, kowai, kovai,* *kovakkai,kovakka*(കോവയ്ക്ക), *dondakaya*, *manoli*, *tindla*, *gentleman's toes* (compare lady's fingers<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady%27s_finger>), *tendli*, *thendli*, *thainli* , *ivy gourd* or *little gourd*, is a tropical vine <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vine> grown for its small edible fruits <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit>. They may be eaten immature and green, or mature and deep red. The young shoots<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoot>and leaves <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf> may also be eaten as greens<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_vegetable> . Older botanical sources may call this plant *C. cordifolia*. The fruit is commonly eaten in Indian cuisine<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cuisine>. Natives of Thailand <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand>, Indonesia<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia>, and other southeast Asian <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia> countries also consume the fruit and leaves. Cultivation of ivy gourd in home gardens has been encouraged in Thailand due to its being a good source of several micronutrients <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronutrients>, including vitamins A and C. In Karnataka, Kannada speakers refer to it as "*Tondekayi*". In Andhra Pradesh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_Pradesh>, south India<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India>, Telugu speakers refer to this vegetable as *dondakaya*. In Tamil Nadu<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Nadu>, south India, Tamil <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_language> speakers refer to it as *kovakkai*. In Kerala <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala>it is known as *kovakka*(കോവയ്ക്ക). In Assam <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam> it is known as *kunduli*. It is eaten as a curry, by deep-frying it; stuffing it with masala and sauteing it ; or boiling it first in a cooker and then frying it. It is also used in sambaar<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sambaar&action=edit&redlink=1>, a vegetable- and lentil-based soup. In India, ivy gourd is often recommended to diabetics due to its low glycemic index <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycemic_index> and its possible ability to help regular blood glucose <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_glucose>. In Hawai'i <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawai%27i> and the southern United States <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States>, among other regions, ivy gourd is considered an invasive plant. Ivy gourd is rich in beta-carotene<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-carotene> .[1] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinia_grandis#cite_note-simopoulos-0> Other good links with details & pictures: http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/coccinia_grandis.htm, http://www.hear.org/starr/plants/images/species/?q=coccinia+grandis (pictures only) On Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 8:58 PM, Debasish Joardar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > Hi, > > Blue-Throated Barbet & Fruit of Coccinia grandis. > > Should we save only "trees" or take a little bit care for those herbs? > > At Bhadreshwar, Hooghly, West Bengal. > > Date : 23rd October, 2008. > > Regards, > > Debasish Joardar. > > > ------------------------------ > Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! > Invite them now. > > > <http://in.rd.yahoo.com/tagline_messenger_6/*http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/> -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
