Maworld

Bells of Ireland

2010-03-01T11:11:00.001+05:30

Botanical name: Molucca laevis Family: Acanthaceae (ruellia family)
The common name, Bells of Ireland, make people mistakenly think the plant originates in Ireland. The plant is named after the Molucca Islands in Indonesia and thought to be from the islands, too. M. laevis is native to Western Asia, Turkey, Syria, and the Caucasus. Syria is where the plant is most often found. The flowers of Moluccella laevis are a symbol of good luck. Cut flowers will last 7 to 10 days in a vase. What is often mistaken for a green flower is actually the calyx or cup-shaped leaves around the base of the flowers. The actual flower is a small white fragrant flower inside the "bell." When dried, the leaves turn pale beige and will last for years.

Common name: Polka Dot Plant, Freckle Face, Flamingo-plant, Measles plant

2010-03-01T10:32:00.001+05:30

Botanical name: Hypoestes phyllostachya Family: Acanthaceae (Ruellia family)
Synonyms: Hypoestes sanguinolenta
Polka dot plant is a delicate tropical foliage plant, which has become popular as a novelty house-plant. It is a perennial herb native to Africa, growing 1-2 ft tall. It is grown for its pink, red or white mottled, dark-green leaves. Leaves are ovate in shape and are generally 3-4 cm long. The pink-purple flowers occur in leafy spikes during the summer season. However, the flowers are negligible in comparison to the brightly spotted foliage. In NE India, Polka Dot Plant seems to have escaped cultivation, and is frequently seen growing wild.

Common name: Dragon's Breath, Narrow Leaf Hemigraphis, Waffle Plant, Dragon's Tongue

2010-03-01T10:31:00.001+05:30

Botanical name: Hemigraphis repanda Family: Acanthaceae (Ruellia family)
Synonyms: Ruellia repanda
Dragon’s Breath is a small plant, never rising more than 6 inches in height. What makes the plant attractive is the colorful purple leaves and the lovely white to pink flowers. The leaves are thin and elongated with a crinkled texture and toothed margins. They are deep shades of almost black burgundy, maroon and olive green. Beginning in late spring it is covered nearly every day by tiny Baby's Breath like white flowers that contrast nicely with the dark foliage. The stems are fine and delicate and the growth habit is dense and tight, making it an excellent choice for ground cover, borders, hanging baskets, window boxes and especially mixed color container gardens. Dragon’s Breath is native to Malaysia, but grown as an ornamental in parts of India.

Common name: Crossandra, Firecracker Flower

2010-03-01T10:27:00.001+05:30

Botanical name: Crossandra infundibuliformis Family: Acanthaceae (Ruellia family)
In South India, Kanakambaram is the favourite flowers of ladies to put in their hair. It competes strongly with jasmine to adorn the south-Indian hair-do's. The crossandra is in the family with Mexican petunias, or ruellias, and the Mississippi Medallion award-winning yellow shrimp plant. This tropical from India and Sri Lanka offers a welcome orange, salmon or yellow to the filtered-light area. In addition to the flowers that are practically non-stop for the entire season, the foliage also offers added interest. The leaves are glossy and most striking. Choose a site with well-drained, fertile soil with perhaps a little morning sun. If you have tight, heavy clay soil, the crossandra will reward you for incorporating 3 to 4 inches of organic matter. As the plant grows, keep it deadheaded and pinched back; it will maintain a bushy shape and keep blooming with each new flush of growth.

Scarlet Clock Vine, Chonga lota (Assamese)

2010-03-01T10:23:00.003+05:30

Botanical name: Thunbergia coccinea Family: Acanthaceae (ruellia family)
This is gorgeous tropical climbing vine, which is extremely rare in cultivation. The bright red flowers of unusual shape are hanging from the vine in clusters, and look stunning. The intensity of the color seems to depend upon the temperature in which it is blooming. It appears that the orange coloring is more likely in warmer temperatures, and some fading from full sun, while the more intense redish coloring when blooming in cooler conditions. Thunbergia coccinea is best displayed on structures where the racemes can hang down. They begin to bloom in Late Fall, and continue to Spring. The blooms cease with increased hot temperatures of summer. Thunbergia coccinea does not seem to be fussy with soil requirements, and seems happy in average soil. Propagation is most predictable with stiff green cuttings, on stems with active growth, while seed is more difficult. Origin: India, Burma, Malaya

Swan's neck agave

2010-03-01T10:19:00.003+05:30

common name: Swan's neck agave, Foxtail Agave, Dragon-Tree Agave, Spineless Agave
Botanical name: Agave attenuata Family: Agavaceae (agave family)
Swan's neck agave is a species of agave sometimes known as the "lion's tail", "foxtail",

“elephant’s trunk”, for its development of a curved stem, unusual among agaves. Native to

the plateau of central Mexico, as one of the unarmed agaves, it is popular as an ornamental

plant in gardens. The stems typically range from 50-150 cm in length, and eventually old

leaves fall off, leaving them naked and visible. The plants have a large rosette of thick

fleshy leaves generally ending in a sharp point. It may take up to 10 years to bloom. Swan’s

neck agave's flower spike is a thing of wonder, and will either produce greenish-yellow

flowers or thousands of small plantlets, on its' entire length. Each plant stalk blooms only

once. Unlike other members of it's family this plant doesn't die after flowering. Agave

attenuata are best propagated by digging pups produced at the base of older plants and seeds

germinate readily when they are fresh.
Photographed in Pune, Maharshtra

Ganges Primrose

2010-03-01T10:15:00.001+05:30

Common name: Ganges Primrose, Chinese violet, Creeping foxglove • Kannada: Meddhe soppu,

Lavan-valli, Maithaala kaddi • Malayalam: Valli-upu-dali • Marathi: लवण वल्ली Lavana valli •

Tamil: Parchorri, Chorri, Mekampokki • Telugu: Mukka mungera, Poda beera
Botanical name: Asystasia gangetica Family: Acanthaceae (Ruellia family)
Asystasia means inconsistency and relates to the fact that the corolla is more or less

regular which is unusual in the family Acanthaceae. The word gangetica is derived from the

Ganga river in India where it is presumed the species occurs. The Marathi name Lavana valli

means salt resistant creeper. Ganges primrose is an attractive, fast-growing, spreading,

herbaceous groundcover that grows from 30 cm to 60 cm in height. The stems root easily at

the nodes. Leaves are simple and dark green. It produces a cream-coloured flower with

tessellated purple markings on the palate (lower petal of the corolla) in spring and summer.

Flowers are produced over a long period and are followed by capsules with brown seeds. It is

semi-hardy, and young plants require protection in areas of heavy frost. In tropical areas

it can grow rampantly.

Bear breeches

2010-03-01T10:06:00.005+05:30

Bear's Breeches

Tell a friend about this flower!

Common name: Bear's Breeches, Spiny Acanthus
Botanical name: Acanthus spinosus Family: Acanthaceae (Ruellia family)
Bear's Breeches is an evergreen perennial plant, growing to 1.5-2 ft tall. It is about 2-3 ft in spread. It has showy large, deeply lobed, glossy green leaves with spiny tips. Pink or purple flowers are borne in erect spikes at the end of branches. Long lasting white-lipped flowers are anchored by a green-gray bract and nearly hidden by a decorative, hood-like purple calyx. Bear's Breeches is native to the eastern Mediterranean region.

2009-10-20T20:33:00.000+05:30

www.songs.pk/

Flower Trends - Rose Hip

2009-10-18T17:25:00.002+05:30

Texture drives design style in these close colors. Some flowers that support the look and feel are ‘Moreno’ and ‘Gypsy Curiosa’ Roses, Orange Lilies, ‘Choco’ and Red Anthuriums, Leucadendrons, Leucospermums, Kangaroo Paws, Celosia, Hypericum and Epidendron Orchids. Experience the return of earth tones with a sense of luxury. This rich, analogous color harmony ranges from deep mahogany hues to terra-cotta, clay, carnelian red and rose tones with a copper accent. Warm and sensuous spice tones simmer to top notes of pink, while deep cocoa, caramel and coffee tones cooked to gooey perfection, tempting the senses. It is about organic elements—glazed ceramic, worn leather, stitching on leather, textured metals, worn and suede surfaces.

Ruff the bird

2009-10-18T17:19:00.003+05:30

he Ruff is a medium-sized wader that breeds on marshes and wet meadows across northern Eurasia. This highly gregarious sandpiper is migratory, and sometimes forms huge flocks in its winter grounds, which include southern and western Europe, Africa, southern Asia and Australia. It is usually considered to be the only member of its genus, and the Broad-billed and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are its closest relatives. The Ruff is a long-necked, pot-bellied bird. This species shows marked sexual dimorphism; the male is much larger than the female, and has a breeding plumage that includes brightly coloured head tufts, bare orange facial skin, extensive black on the breast, and the large collar of ornamental feathers that inspired this bird's English name. The female has one brood per year and lays four eggs in a well-hidden ground nest, incubating the eggs and rearing the chicks, which are mobile soon after hatching, on her own. The Ruff forages in wet grassland and soft mud, probing or searching by sight for edible items. It primarily feeds on insects, especially in the breeding season, but it will consume plant material, including rice and maize, on migration and in winter. Classified as "least concern" on the IUCN Red List criteria, the global conservation concerns are relatively low because of the large numbers that breed in Scandinavia and the Arctic.

“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”

2009-10-18T10:50:00.002+05:30

* Global Warming Introduction
* What is Global Warming?
* Evidence for Global Warming
* Building a Climate Model
* Predicting Future Warming
* Potential Effects of Global Warming
* References

Satellite image of the collapse of the Larsen-B ice shelf, Antarctica.

Far from being some future fear, global warming is happening now, and scientists have evidence that humans are to blame. For decades, cars and factories have spewed billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and these gases caused temperatures to rise between 0.6°C and 0.9°C (1.08°F to 1.62°F) over the past century. The rate of warming in the last 50 years was double the rate observed over the last 100 years. Temperatures are certain to go up further.

The effects of global warming are already being felt worldwide. The Larsen-B Ice Shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula collapsed over 35 days in early 2002, prompted by 3°C of warming since the 1940s. (NASA image by Jesse Allen, based on MODIS data.)
Photograph of the Navajo power plant, Page, Arizona
Graphs of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and global average temperature since 1880

But why should we worry about a seemingly small increase in temperature? It turns out that the global average temperature is quite stable over long periods of time, and small changes in that temperature correspond to enormous changes in the environment. For example, during the last ice age, when ice sheets a mile thick covered North America all the way down to the northern states, the world was only 9 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit colder than today. Much of modern human civilization owes its existence to the stability in the average global temperature since the end of the last ice age—a stability that allowed human cultures to transition from roaming, hunter-gatherer societies into more permanent, agriculture-supported communities. Even the temperature change of a degree or two that has occurred over the last century is capable of producing significant changes in our environment and way of life.

Cars, factories, and power plants pump billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. Since 1750, carbon dioxide levels have increased 35 percent, while temperatures have gone up between 0.6°C and 0.9°C. Scientists have very high confidence that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases are causing the planet to warm. (Photograph ©2002 Travel Geographer. NASA graphs by Robert Simmon, based on carbon dioxide data from Dr. Pieter Tans, NOAA/ESRL and temperature data from NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.)
Photograph of beach erosion in Massachusetts, 2007

In the future, it is very likely that rising temperatures will lead to more frequent heat waves, and virtually certain that the seas will rise, which could leave low-lying nations awash in seawater. Warmer temperatures will alter weather patterns, making it likely that there will be more intense droughts and more intense rain events. Moreover, global warming will last thousands of years. To gain an understanding of how global warming might impact humanity, it is necessary to understand what global warming is, how scientists measure it, and how forecasts for the future are made.

next What is Global Warming?

One inevitable consequence of global warming is sea-level rise. In the face of higher sea levels and more intense storms, coastal communities face greater risk of rapid beach erosion and damage from destructive storms like the intense nor’easter of April 2007. (Photograph ©2007 metimbers2000.)

2009-10-18T10:34:00.004+05:30

Over the last five years, 600 scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sifted through thousands of studies about global warming published in forums ranging from scientific journals to industry publications and distilled the world’s accumulated knowledge into this conclusion: “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”

* Global Warming Introduction
* What is Global Warming?
* Evidence for Global Warming
* Building a Climate Model
* Predicting Future Warming
* Potential Effects of Global Warming
* References

Satellite image of the collapse of the Larsen-B ice shelf, Antarctica.

Far from being some future fear, global warming is happening now, and scientists have evidence that humans are to blame. For decades, cars and factories have spewed billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and these gases caused temperatures to rise between 0.6°C and 0.9°C (1.08°F to 1.62°F) over the past century. The rate of warming in the last 50 years was double the rate observed over the last 100 years. Temperatures are certain to go up further.

The effects of global warming are already being felt worldwide. The Larsen-B Ice Shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula collapsed over 35 days in early 2002, prompted by 3°C of warming since the 1940s. (NASA image by Jesse Allen, based on MODIS data.)
Photograph of the Navajo power plant, Page, Arizona
Graphs of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and global average temperature since 1880

But why should we worry about a seemingly small increase in temperature? It turns out that the global average temperature is quite stable over long periods of time, and small changes in that temperature correspond to enormous changes in the environment. For example, during the last ice age, when ice sheets a mile thick covered North America all the way down to the northern states, the world was only 9 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit colder than today. Much of modern human civilization owes its existence to the stability in the average global temperature since the end of the last ice age—a stability that allowed human cultures to transition from roaming, hunter-gatherer societies into more permanent, agriculture-supported communities. Even the temperature change of a degree or two that has occurred over the last century is capable of producing significant changes in our environment and way of life.

Cars, factories, and power plants pump billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. Since 1750, carbon dioxide levels have increased 35 percent, while temperatures have gone up between 0.6°C and 0.9°C. Scientists have very high confidence that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases are causing the planet to warm. (Photograph ©2002 Travel Geographer. NASA graphs by Robert Simmon, based on carbon dioxide data from Dr. Pieter Tans, NOAA/ESRL and temperature data from NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.)
Photograph of beach erosion in Massachusetts, 2007

In the future, it is very likely that rising temperatures will lead to more frequent heat waves, and virtually certain that the seas will rise, which could leave low-lying nations awash in seawater. Warmer temperatures will alter weather patterns, making it likely that there will be more intense droughts and more intense rain events. Moreover, global warming will last thousands of years. To gain an understanding of how global warming might impact humanity, it is necessary to understand what global warming is, how scientists measure it, and how forecasts for the future are made.

next What is Global Warming?

One inevitable consequence of global warming is sea-level rise. In the face of higher sea levels and more intense storms, coastal communities face greater risk of rapid beach erosion and damage from destructive storms like the intense nor’easter of April 2007. (Photograph ©2007 metimbers2000.)

importance of education

2009-10-17T10:18:00.001+05:30

Education should lead us to Humility. In turn, it will equip us with all the eligibility. Eligibility provides us with necessary material Wealth and enables us to do some Charitable Deeds. Charity makes us Happy and reveal to us the truth that Education does not mean only giving meaning to the Words.

Our Education is not measured by how many degrees or diplomas we hold or how many exams we passed. It has to be valued not as a means of earning one's livelihood, but as the essential requisite for a Happy, Peaceful and Progressive Life.

Abraham Lincoln is an excellent example for us to know how Education could make a person humble and great, bright like a polished Gem. A very nice story about Abraham Lincoln to share with you my friends .

Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States when the country was facing one of the most crucial civil wars. The situation was so serious that the President himself proceeded to personally direct the stalled Peninsular Campaign.

George Pickett, who had known Lincoln in Illinois, years before, joined the Southern army, and by his conspicuous bravery and ability had become one of the great Generals of the Confederacy. Toward the close of the war, when a large part of Virginia had fallen into the possession of the Union army, the President lost his temper and became so angry with General Pickett. One day Lincoln himself called at General Pickett's Virginia home.

The General's wife, with her baby on her arm, met him at the door.

'Is this George Pickett's home?'; Asked the President.

The General's Wife could not believe herself that Abraham Lincoln was standing in front of her. She had never seen him, but she knew the ! intense love and reverence with which her husband always spoke of Lincoln.

With all the courage and dignity she could muster, she replied in a shivering voice;

'Yes, and I am his wife, and this is his baby.'

He replied; 'I am Abraham Lincoln.'

'The President!' she gasped.

Lincoln shook his head and replied; 'No, Abraham Lincoln, George's old friend.'

"The baby pushed away from his Mom and reached out his hands to Lincoln, who took him in his arms. As he did so, an ex-pression of rapt, almost divine tenderness and love lighted up the sad face of Lincoln. It was a look that the General's wife had never seen on any other face of his position. The baby opened his mouth wide and insisted upon giving his Dad's friend a dewy kiss.

Lincoln forgot the fact that he came there to warn the General. While giving the little one back to her, he spoke to the little kid;

'Tell your Dad, the Stupid, that! I forgive him for the sake of your bright eyes."

Whatever we learn through Education and also from our Lives have to be practiced and used for the welfare of the Society. It is so true that the Wealth of one's Education makes his/her Heart Softer and his/her Character more Cute.

Every letter in Education conveys a message for us;

"E" for Enlightment

"D" for Duty and Devotion

"U" for Understanding

"C" for Character

"A" for Action

"T" for Thanking

"I" for Integrity

"O" for Oneness

"N" for Nobility

It is so true that Education without Character, Politics without Principles and Commerce without Morality will not Last Long.

Let us all use the brightness of Knowledge to make our Heart a Lotus, unfolding its petals when the Sun rises in the sky, unaffected by the slush where it is born or even the water which sustains it.

Poem

2009-10-16T12:15:00.000+05:30

I stand on top of my desk, a blunted, fencing sword in my hand, a copy of Hamlet in the other. A student, looking uncannily like Queen Gert..

Educational Articles

2009-10-16T12:09:00.000+05:30

The children’s brain in Primary School is biologically musical. The embryo in the third month can hear and remember musical patterns and can associate them with feelings which they provoke. As infant he or she has developed to a certain extent musical skills. Studies have shown that what makes the difference is the way in which musicality can be developed in the environment in which a child grows up. For example, the parents’ musical preferences, as well as if the child is involved in Music from earliest years and with a teacher suitable for this, influence decisively the musical education the child will receive. Studies show that the earliest contact with music studies improves significantly the development of an already musical mind. Indeed this influence does not relate only to the development of musical skills but also to different skills related to sciences and arts. This proposal aims at the description and analysis of views of neuromusical researchers about the extent to which a child’s musical abilities constitute an innate imperative but also can be developed by the teaching itself.