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Vanaspati: Plants and Plant-Life as in Indian Treatises and Traditions c5.s3: Section III. The General Description of Plants

Vanaspati: Plants and Plant-Life as in Indian Treatises and Traditions c5.s3

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Section III. The General Description of Plants

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The rudiments of morphology may be traced as early as in a hymn of the Atharva Veda¹ where we get a rough description of the external features of plants :

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¹ Atharva Veda VIII, 7. Whitney Ed.

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“The spreading, the bushy, the one-spathed, the extending herbs do I address, those rich in shoots, jointed, that have spreading branches ; I call for thee the plants that belong to all the gods, formidable, giving life to men.” (1.)

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“Rich in sweets the root, rich in sweets the tip of them, rich in sweets was the middle of the plants, rich in sweets the leaf, rich in sweets the flowers of them, etc.” (12.)

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“Rich in flowers, rich in shoots, rich in fruits, also those lacking fruits—like joint mothers, etc.” (27.)

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A more systematic statement in brief occurs in the Vrihat Āraṇyaka Upanishad² where we get an accurate description of the life history of a plant. Thus :

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² V. A. Upanishad, 4.6.1.

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“ * * * * the essence of water is embodied in plants such as grasses, creepers and the rest, flowers represent the essence of plants, and the

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essence of flowers are fruits, such as paddy, wheat and the rest.”

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We again read in the *Viṣṇupurāṇa*¹ a description of the parts of a complete plant. The type given is that of paddy. Thus:

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¹ 7th Chapter, Ślokas 37-39, Bangabāsī Edition, p. 121.

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“O the greatest of sages, just as there are embryo (*aṅkur*), root (*mūla*), stem (*nāla*), leaf (*patra*), flower (*pushpa*), milky sap (*kshīra*), husks (glumes—*tusha*), seed-vessel (*kosha*, *vīja kosha*), seed (*taṇḍula*, rice) and endosperm in seeds (*kaṇā*) in the paddy, and they become manifest only under suitable conditions such as soil, water, etc.”

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The quoted passages contain terms and expressions covering the whole of the external feature of plants which we now call External Morphology. The points that are to be noted, according to these passages, comprise root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, seed, etc.

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All plants are divided broadly into two parts:—A subterranean called the Root (*Mūla*, *Pāda*), and a sub-aerial called the Shoot (*Vis-tāro*). Let us now consider what the Ancient Botanical Science has got to teach us on all these points taken one by one.

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1. Root.—The Sanskrit equivalent of this organ is significantly expressive at once of its function and location. It is called *mūla*, *i.e.*, by its means the plant is fixed to the soil. The plant is called *pādapa*, i.e., by its *pādas* (*mūlas*), the plant drinks (absorbs) water (*rasa*—watery solution) from the soil. Adventitious roots are called *śākhā śiphā* (fibrous roots springing from the branches). Fibrous roots are called—*śiphā*, *jaṭā*. Adventitious roots hanging from spreading branches (prop roots of Ficus indica, also of Tinospora cordifolia) are called *abaróha*, i.e., that which goes down, hangs. We also learn from *Arthaśāstra*,¹ Charaka, Upanishads, etc., that people used to take it as food and in this connection we find mention of ‘bulbous roots’ as distinguished from typical ones.

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¹ Arthaśāstra, Section 24, p. 138, Shama Shastri's Edition, 1932.

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2. Shoot.—The shoot is divided into stem and leaves. The main stem (trunk) is called *prakāṇḍa*, i.e., it is that part which is between the main root and the place from which branches originate. It is also called *skandha* as it bears the head or crown. The stem may be weak or strong and so are the plants having them. Strong stemmed plants are called *vanaspati*, *vānaspatya*, etc., they stand erect. The weak stemmed plants cannot support themselves, and according to their habit they are distinguished into—a creeper and a trailer. A creeper is called *vallī*, *vratatī*, or *latā*. The creeper includes both a twiner and a climber. *Latā* means that which embraces, twines. It also means a weak plant that goes from the root to the top of a tree (mulāchchhāgra gatān latā). By the term latā is meant the whole range of lianes. (वल्ली वेष्टयते वृक्षं--Śānti Parva).

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The other kind (trailer) is called protānino, spreading one,—that which spreads on the ground. This includes both the procumbent and the decumbent.

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3. Stem :—The stem may be plain or jointed (śata parva). Each joint or node is called a parva or granthi. Leaves spring from the joint (स्तम्बे गुल्मे तृणादीनां काण्डद्रुमगुच्छयोः). Plants may be with stems or stemless. Stemmed plants are called sakāṇḍa, and stemless plants are distinguished as aprakāṇḍa, stamba. Plants having short or stunted roots and branches are called kshupa (क्षुपः--ह्रस्वशाखा शिफः). The primary branches are called skandaśākhā, and secondary and tertiary ones are known as praśākhā (प्रशाखाः); pratiśākhā and anuśākhā (प्रतिशाखाः and अनुशाखाः) are also used.¹ The branches generally are known as śākhā, as the plant (śākhina) spreads by them. Branchless stems are called sthānu or śaṅku. Apex of the tree, i.e., the tree-top is called शिरस्, agra, śikhara, i.e., where one cannot climb, or which cannot be reached.

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¹ Viṣṇupurāṇa, 3rd part, 4th Chap, Śloka 25.

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Trees, shrubs and herbs used to be distinguished by the long or short, hard and strong or less strong and succulent stems. Plants growing on other plants (वृक्षोपरि वृक्षे) are known as pargāchhā (परगाछा इति ख्याते). These include both Parasites and Epiphytes. Parasites are called vrikshādanī (cascuta—वृक्षादनो वृक्षमति युः), that which (guest) eats (अदन—sucks food from) another tree (host). Epiphytes are called vriksha-rūhā (वृक्षरुहा—वृक्षे रोहति इति), i.e., that which simply lives on another tree without drawing nourishment from the latter. One of the examples given is Guḷuchi (Tinospora cordifolia)—it is called chhinnarūhā (छिन्नरुहा—छित्रापि रोहति जायते कः)—“it grows and lives even when torn.” Another example Vanda Roxburghii Br., i.e., Orchid (Rasna) is known (Colebrook), but its habitat is not described. (See infra, classification). Lower plants such as Mosses and green Algae are noticed but not described (such as जलनीली तु शैवालम्—Amara). Saprophytic plants, such as Mush-rooms (plants with no fruits and flowers), are correctly described with their habitats, but not separately classified. Mush-room is thus described:—it is called Chhatrā (छत्रा)¹ as its shape is exactly like that of an umbrella. “It is generally found to grow on stalks of straw (palāla), or is seen vegetating on the stems of bamboo (veṇu) or sugarcane, or as sprouting up from beneath the surface of the ground (udbhida), or growing on a heap of decomposed cowdung (karisha).”¹

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¹ Mushroom, Colebrook, p. 125 (Amarkosha).

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¹ Śuśruta, Sutrasthāna, Chap. XLVI., p. 522, English Trans. K. L. Vishagratna.

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Underground stems and such roots as Radish (hypocotyl modified) are called kanda. These are described as ‘like roots, but not roots, serve as a means of propagation’ (यन्मूलमेव बीजं स कन्दः). As examples are mentioned:

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Ol (Corm), 6 kinds of Potato (Tuber), Mūlaka (Radish), Gājar (Carrot), Plantain (Rhizome), Mānkachu (Arum-Rhizome), Palāṇdu (Onion-Bulb) and Mahā kanda (Garlic).

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4. Leaf :—The leaf is called patra, because it falls soon, it is also called parṇa because of its green colour. The stalk of the leaf when present is called brinta, and the petiolate leaf is called sa-brinta. New leaves are called pallava, kishalaya. Branches with undeveloped leaves (pallava) are called vistāro as the plant spreads by it. It is synonymous with modern ‘bud.’ Leaves may be simple when it is called eka-patra—one-leaved. Compound leaves are described by the number of leaflets they contain, e.g., dvi-patra (Bauhinia?), tri-patra (Ægle), sapta-parṇa (Echites scholaris). Leaves are also described by their shapes such as aśwa-parṇaka (Shorea robusta)—as the leaves resemble the ear of a horse; mushika-parṇī (salvinia)—as the leaves resemble the ear of a mice;

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kīśaparṇī (Achyranthes aspera) monkey-ear-shaped leaves, and so on.

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5. Flower :—The flower is called *sumanasa*—that which pleases mind, it is called *pushpa* because it opens; it is called *prasūna* because it is born (from plants). Unopened flower bud is called *kalikā*, *koraka*, i.e., that which produces (fruits, etc.). Opening flower bud is called *kutmala*, *mukula*. Full blown flowers are called *vikacha*, *sphuṭāḥ* (विकसितं सितं ).

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Bunch of flowers, *i.e.*, Inflorescence, is called *stabaka*, *guchchhaka*.

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A compound pedicel is called *vallarī*, *mañjarī*; Helicoid cyme is called *śrihastinī* (resembling the trunk of an elephant). The inflorescence of umbelliferous plants is called *chhatrā*. छत्राकार स्तवकः is umbel. Flower stalks (pedicels) are called *prasava-bandhana*, *i.e.*, that which binds flowers and fruits with the mother plant. Shape of the flowers in some cases is also noticed, *e.g.*, papilionaceous flowers are called *vakra pushpa* (Sesbania). Petals are called *pushpadala*, and sometimes number of petals are counted such as *śatadala*, *sahasradala*. Stamens are known as *keśara*; *kiñjalka* is the hairy part (सूत्रवत् अंश) within flowers; pollen grains are called *keśara-reṇu* (stamen dusts), they are also called *parāga* (पराग), as they go fast (परा) being very light and carried by air. They are also called सुमनोरजस्—dust in flowers. Ear or spike of a corn is called *kiṇasham*, *śasyamañjarī*.

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6. Fruit:—The fruit is known as *phala*, *i.e.*, the result of a previous process. Green fruits are called *śalātu*, dry fruits are called *vāna*, and fleshy fruits, such as gourd and the like, are called *kṣāraka*, *jālaka*. A legume or pod is called *śamī*, *śimba*, and the seeds in it *śamī dhānya*.¹

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¹ Amarakosha, Colebrook's Edition, p 226.

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Classification of fruits:—Was not based on any scientific principle. Their classification was rather governed by etymological consideration, *i.e.*, names used to be given in allusion to trees, their origin *etc.*, *e.g.*,

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*Amra* (आम्र) or mango, fruit of mango tree.

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*Jambu* (जम्बू) or black-berry, fruit of *Eugenia jambolana*.

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*Aingud* (ऐंगुद), fruit of *Ingudi* (*Balanites Roxburghii*).

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*Plāksha* (प्लक्ष), fruit of *Plaksha* (*Ficus infectoria*).

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*Vaiṇaba* (वैणव), fruit of *Veṇu* (Bamboo).

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*Vārhaṭa* (वार्हठ), fruit of *Vṛhatī* (*Solanum indicum*).

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*Naiyagrodha* (नैयाग्रोध), fruit of Banyan, and so on.

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7. Seed:—The seed is called *vījam* (बीजम्), that out of which something grows. Seeds are enclosed in a vessel called *vījakosha* or seed-vessel. Seed-vessels are sometimes identified with integuments (seed coats) and sometimes with pericarp (ovarian wall). The kernel is called *śasya* (endosperm) and the cotyledon is called *vījapatram* (बीजपत्रम्).

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