Monday, June 11, 2012

Vellila - Silver leaves


"Amma karuthum makalu veluthum makalute makaloru sundarivesi "
is a riddle every Keralite knows. It is roughly translated as "Mother black, daughter white and daughter's daughter pretty dame" - and the answer is "Vellila" -  Velli leaf - Silver leaf ( or white leaf )..it is wild flowery plant found abundant in Kerala. It is normally found near ponds household bathing tanks and it's leaves are used as shampoo by ladies. Is the daughter's daughter that pretty orange red flower not easily visible in the bush?. I don't know. Perhaps nature has tricked the butterflies with white leaves because its flower is too small ! :)


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