While growing up in the South, I was mesmerised by these flowers which heralded December
They are called December Poovu ( flowers)- usually a pure purple, sometimes white and sometimes a mix of both. Very fragile and soft, with hardly any fragrance, they are usually worn in the hair.
I just admired them in the shrubs that we had in our back yard. After moving to Mumbai, I did not see them at all.
And a couple of days ago the flower vendor lady brought these home and I had to buy them and share the thrill with Anushka
Maybe I can try growing the plant. . .
13 comments:
Oh I love December poovu. When I was young, I had this childish notion that it was MY flower since I was born in December, and would wear only that and no other...this post and the picture, reminded me of this part of myself, long left behind.
they look really pretty. never seen them before.
what did anush say when you told her the name?!
such a pleasant sight.. so soothing to look at them...
They're beautiful! And u r a good photographer.
I remember these flowers. We used to have big bushes of these in our home and it was always a big deal to pluck them tie them and wear them.
Beyond white, purple and striped the other colors I have seen are yellow, pale pink. I especially loved the pale pink. They are so easy to grow and at some point of time threatened to take over our garden. So off they went.
They are the common man's jasmine
I have heard so so much about this flower but having been brought up outside of Chennai, and Decemeber generally being peak exam time, never had a chance to see it.
Good to see a snap of it atleast! And yes, grow them please :)
In Karnataka, these are called "Spatika". I keep kidding my TamilNadu/Chennai friends that they do not even know how to name flowers and resort to naming them after months!
Beena
This reminds me of good olds days as well. My grandparents had a big garden and had heaps of december poo and kanagambram(the orange one-which I really dont like) and malli!!
tharini-
long time since u have been here
all- good to trigger some memories or to intoduce you to a new flower to you and ye si will try to grow them
chox- she was more interested in wearing it like a tiara for a while in her hair
Beena-
Spatika it is and in Karnataka you nameit after crystals!!
VJ
I like kanakambram too - in some shades
They are called Barleria flowers
Made me nostalgic. We had these flowers in our house when I was a child. Strangely I didn't even realise I miss it until I read your post.:)
There is another thing abt the december poovu, u pick a tiny petal and blow it like a whistle..i used to buy this poovu only to blow whistles..
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