Cresentia cujete

                                   
                                         CRESENTIA CUJETE

Calabash Tree (Crescentia cujete)

Rare endemic plant bear fruit in the Loyola Botanical garden

The Calabash tree (Crescentia cujete) is a plant native to Central and South America.It belongs to the family Bignoniaceae. It is a small tree of multiple uses, originating from tropical America, now widely distributed in the tropics. The calabash tree grows to 30 feet often with multiple trunks. The rangy twisting branches have simple elliptical leaves clustered at the nodes.

The greenish-yellow flowers are marked with purple veins. The flowers arise from the trunk or main branches and appear from May through January. The woody fruit, botanically a capsule, is elliptic, ovate, or spherical and may grow to 10 inches in diameter. The fruit takes up to seven months to ripen. Fibres from the calabash tree were twisted into twine and ropes. 

Endemic plant bear fruit in the Loyola Botanical garden

The hard wood made tools and tool handles. The split wood was woven for sturdy baskets. But it was the calabash’s gourd-like fruit that made the plant truly useful. Large calabashes were used as bowls and, peculiarly, to disguise the heads of hunters.

STUDENTS WATCHING THE FRUIT

In Suriname’s traditional medicine, the fruit pulp is used for respiratory problems such as asthma. A fruit decoction is taken orally to treat diarrhoea, stomach ache, colds, bronchitis, cough, asthma, and urethritis.

CONGRATULATIONS

                                                     
                                  CONGRATULATIONS  - 22-09-2012

The IIIrd B.Sc Botany  Students Mr. Leela Prasad,  Jacob Samuel Raj and Ms. Anupama participated in the Inter Departmental Quiz Competitions organized by the Dept of BBA,  Andhra Loyola College on 22-09-2012. The students bagged the first prize in the Competitions. 

Congratulations to all  students on behalf of the Department.

VINAYAKA PATRI DISPLAY AND CLAY IDOLS DISTRIBUTION 18-09-2012

  
  DISPLAY OF PATRI  IN FRONT OF  THE COLLEGE

     The Department of the Botany has displayed the 21 verities of Vinayaka patri which were used in the Pooja. All these plants are medicinally important. The main aim of displaying these plants was to bring Awareness and to explain the  importance the plants.These plants kill the microbes and purify the water resources during the rainy season.

21 varieties of plants displayed by the Botany dept

The students  distributed the pamphlets  representing the details and the importance of patri, pamphlets were also given to students to educate them about the Eco -Friendly Vinayaka celebrations.
             
                  

STAFF AND STUDENTS

   ECO-FRIENDLY VINAYAKA CELEBRATIONS- 18-09-2012

    The day of free ideal distribution had added the hand for saving the Nature. On 18^th Sep-2012 the  Students and Dr. B. Siva Kumari, Head, Department of Botany  in collaboration with A.P. Pollution Control Board  distributed MATTI VINAYAKA STATUES’ to the public in the evening at 3.30 p.m to 6.00 p.m at N.T.R circle, Patamata.

The A.P. Pollution Control Board Zonal officer, Vijayawada, Mr. A. Vijay Kumar  has  distributed the idols along with the students and his Colleagues. This distribution grabbed the attention of all the people who were passing through the streets. The students had not only distributed them but majorly focused on the saving of the Nature and protested and educated the Citizens not to opt for the plaster of paris and enamel paints which lead to the extension of the living beings in the water also caused  the death of  organisms.

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CLAY IDOLS DISTRIBUTION 
Mr. A. Vijaya Kumar garu Zonal Officer, APPCB
The APPCB Officer Mr. A. Vijaya Kumar has inaugurated the programme by distrubuting Clay idols to the public. All the members of APPCB were present in this programme.  

SASTRY GARU, APPCB, REGIONAL OFFICER

 

                         

500 Idols  distributed . It has sensitized the people to think and feel for the Mother earth. It had a strong effect on the people from the small age to elders. people had joined the students in support to the option for the Matti Vinayakas in reducing the pollutants.

                          

KRISHNA GARU -ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER- APPCB

It has been unfolding since couple of years the importance of ensuring Vinayaka Chavithi with eco friendly idols. And it is the senior citizens responsibility to make the generations purse the importance of the traditions and rituals which has been passed on to us, it is with these concerns  of these two issues that the A.P Pollution Control Board has put forth the proposal of ensuring the people of Vijayawada the meaning of using 21 patris being used in Vinayaka puja and also distributed clay idols of vinayaka to the public to expand the realm of knowledge of Environmental pollution due to chemicals used in making Ganapthis.

The students of III B.Sc and Botany Department staff were actively participated in this programme. The programme ended with the Awareness talk by the Zonal Officer, APPCB. 

ONE DAY SEMINAR ON ENVIRON-2012 ON THE EVE OF WORLD OZONE DAY

         
          WORLD NATURE CONSERVATION DAY- 28-7-2014 
                           NATIONAL GREEN CORPS 

NATIONAL GREEN CORPS  and P.G depts of Botany and Biotechnology organized 

POSTER PRESENTATION COMPETITIONS and a guest lecture on Conservation of Biodiversity. ON THE EVE OF WORLD NATURE CONSERVATION  DAY  -28-07-2014. 

THEMES: .
1 Save Nature
2. Make Vijayawada City -Green Hat of the State
3. Conservation of Biodiversity
Total 65 students participated in this event,  Ms. V. Kavitha, Mr. P. Srinivasa Rao and Mr. K.Balachandra  acted as judges to select best three posters. 

GUEST LECTURE: ON THE EVE OF WORLD NATURE CONSERVATION  DAY on  28-07-2014  NGC  Organized  a guest lecture on Conservation of Biodiversity.Sri. 
The guest lecture began with the words of welcome by Rev. Fr. P. Anil  Kumar, Vice- Principal of Andhra Loyola College, He explained the importance of the nature  through a story which made students to understand the value of the nature, he welcomed all the Guests, Staff and Students. 
K. Ashok Kumar,  D.F.O, D.F.C, Social Forestry, Krishna Dt was the guest speaker. He emphasized on “Usage” and “Utilization” of natural resources and human responsibility for conservation of Nature.K. Ashok Kumar, emphasized on the -Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is a term we use to describe the variety of life on Earth. It refers to the wide variety of ecosystems and living organisms: animals, plants, their habitats and their genes.

Loss of biodiversity - the variety of animals, plants, their habitats and their genes - on which so much of human life depends, is one of the world’s most pressing crises. It is estimated that the current species extinction rate is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than it would naturally be. The main drivers of this loss are converting natural areas to farming and urban development, introducing invasive alien species, polluting or over-exploiting resources including water and soils and harvesting wild plants and animals at unsustainable levels. 

 IUCN has access to many different kinds of information on species. The Red List of Threatened Species™ provides global assessments of the conservation status of species. The IUCN Species Survival Commission, together with the Species Programme and their partners have developed a number of approaches to build up a comprehensive picture of the status and trends in species and biodiversity at global, regional and national levels.

DRAWING COMPETITIONS 14-09-2012

                             

                             ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS WEEK

                        DRAWING  COMPETITIONS ON ENVIRONMENT 14-09-2012                

The Botany Department organized a Drawing Competition in association with the A.P. Pollution Control Board on 14^th September 2012, on the topics

 ‘SAVE NATURE’

  ‘POLLUTION’

  ‘GLOBAL WARMING 
which is for the Environmental Awareness for all the Departments of Andhra Loyola College.The A.P. Pollution Control Board has given a chance to the students to picturise the world, especially the world of the today. 100 students participated in this competition; the students were triggered and came up with different views for saving the Nature by their artistic ability.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION

 Ms. M. Glory, Lecturer in Microbiology was the judge to this drawing competition, she gave complements and feed back.
The winners were declared by the judge.

Ist prize – G.Balu

IInd prize- S.V. Naga Durga

IIIrd prize- N. Prabakar

The winners were given prizes in the seminar by the Guest of honor Mr. Sastry,  Regional  Officer, APPCB. 

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION

ETHNIC DAY -13-09-2012

ESSAY WRITING COMPETITIONS 12-09-2012

                    

                 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS WEEK

                      
  ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION 12-09-2012

It was the day which has gathered the innovative views of the students on making the Environment a clean place.

Why is environmental awareness so important nowadays?

Environmental awareness is crucial at this point in history, since nature is trying to bring back the earth’s balance by taking back what man has claimed. Therefore, becoming aware of the reality is important and vital to our very survival. In case you do not know the more the environment becomes threatened by what we are all doing, the more we will experience many untoward abnormal weather conditions.

Caring for the environment will not require you to become an environmental activist, but just to know more about your environment. Think about the following first, if you know what is going to happen and the danger that your future grandchild will be faced with, would you not do anything now to prevent it from happening?

1. Global Climate Change, How Important Is It?
2. Help Mother Nature Fight Back by Going Green
3. Are you aware everyone is Going Green?
4. Climate Change affects us all, including you!
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6. 
   
7. The Department of  Botany organized an Essay Writing Competition in association with the A.P.Pollution Control Board on 12^th September 2012, on the following topics:

• GLOBAL WARMING
•  YOUR INSIGHT TO MAKE VIJAYAWADA A CLEAN CITY
•  STRATEGIES THAT YOU WOULD IMPLEMENT IF YOU ARE    GIVEN A CHANCE TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT.

50 students have participated in this program. This competition was an Awareness bringing and also brought out the different views of the students and their plans.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION

The students had mainly focused on the last two topics.

Dr. T. Sri Kumar was the judge to the essay writing competitions, the complements and feed back were also given. He said that most of the students have focused on cleanliness and the thoughts expressed by the students were very practical, creative and thought provoking.

The prize winners were

Ist prize         - Lakshmi Bharath

IInd prize      - Anjali Nair

IIIrd prize     - M. Kalyan

The winners were given prizes in the seminar by the Guest of honor Mr. A. Vijaya Kumar, Zonal Officer, APPCB. He also shared his views on the topics and encouraged the students.

SLOGAN WRITING ON ENVIRONMENT 11-09-2012

                  ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS WEEK
 
                  SLOGAN WRITING ON ENVIRONMENT- 11-09-2012
               

The Department of Botany  organized a Slogan Writing Competition in association with the A.P. Pollution Control Board on 11^th September 2012, on the topic ‘SAVE NATURE’ to impart Environmental Awareness for all the Departments of Andhra Loyola College.

In this programme 150 students participated and involved enthusiastically. The program went on well and excellent slogans have been given by the students very identically.

Here are some Environment slogans and Sayings for a wide variety of environmental issues and topics.

1. Each and Every one of us can make a difference to help save the environment.
2. We all can learn to reduce, reuse and recycle so Earth’s resources are not depleted, pollution doesn't trash the planet, and harmful CO2 isn't let out in the air causing Global Warming.
3. We need to love and cherish Mother Nature; after all we only have one planet.
4. One tree can make a million matches. One match can destroy a million trees
5. Each one teach one how to plant one .

Dr. T. Sri Kumar judged the slogans.

Ist prize-   K. Priyanka

IInd prize- M. Prameela

IIIrd prize- N. Karthik  

On the day of Seminar the slogans were displayed

These Slogans writing competitions prizes were distributed by the Dr. A. Ravi Kumar, Professor, Siddhartha Medical College. He has delivered his speech on the topic ‘Environmental Awareness’ he explained the causes and remedies of the Pollution.

AYURVEDIC DOCTORS VISITED GARDENS-09-09-2012

                                   AYURVEDA DOCTORS VISITED 
        BOTANICAL AND HERBAL GARDENS (09-09-2012)

Doctors curiously watching red sanders

PHARMACOLOGISTS IN FRONT OF SARACA INDICA

DR. BADIRI. NARAYANA  CURIOUSLY WATCHING EXOTIC PLANT CRECENTIA CUJETE 

INTERACTION AMONG THE PROFESSIONALS

      

LEARN A PLANT A DAY - FOR NON BIOLOGICAL STUDEN

LEARN A PLANT A DAY-FOR NON BIOLOGY STUDENTS
                         HEALTH IS WEALTH

Today studies are more Inter-Disciplinary . No science can be treated in isolation and hence is also Botany. Botany is the study of plants.The flora has imbibed itself in the supporting elements of life.It is with the critical thought of giving life to all other branches of science we would like to bring the importance of flora around us for our existence.  

The Department Botany would like to bring the awareness among our  students belonging  to various Departments regarding the importance of Medicinal plants and their uses.The medicinal value of plants and it's enhancements in drug development  is to be brought into the lime light.

on 07-09-2012 this programme was inaugurated by  Rev.Fr. Corespondent Dr. A. Francis Xavier, S.J and Vice- Principal Rev.Fr. S. Raju, S.J. 

Fr. Correspondent, Fr. Vice- Principal inaugurating the programme. 

Significance of drug: 

The drugs are therapeutic agents for  various types of diseases.The subject of drug is as old as Disease. People often use the crude drugs to cure different types of ailments. Today different types plants are used in the drug extraction, There fore there is a need to learn about the plants and drugs.

Learn a plant a day-  for non-Biology Students

So on behalf of Botany Department we would like to bring awareness among the students of our College. Hence We display one plant daily in the notice board, it consists of Scientific name, common name and its medicinal importance.

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Staff and students explaining the  theme of the programme to Fr. Vice-Principal.

AVERRHOA BILIMBI

                                            Averrhoa bilimbi Linn
        (Tree sorrel, tree cucumber, bilimbi)

This is rare, exotic fruit  it is commonly known as bilimbi or tree sorrel, native of Thailand and Singapore. In India it is usually found in gardens, generally it prefers warmest conditions.

ALC GARDEN- PHOTO -EENADU - 03-09-2012

It is closely allied to the carambola, but quite different in appearance, manner of fruiting, flavor and uses. The bilimbi leaves and taste of fruits are quite similar to goose berry but these plants are not related.

The tree is very attractive, reaches up to 35ft height, purplish yellow flowers born on trunks in clusters. It produces thick green colored bunches of fruits resembling small cucumbers.The fruits are too acid for eating raw, they prepared as a relish which is served with rice, fish and meat.in cooking it is used in the place of tamarind.

The fruit is rich source of vitamin C

It reduces acidity,

The fruit juice is popular for making cooling beverages,

Nutritional value for 100 gm of fruit

• Moisture 94.2-94.7 g
• Protein 0.61 g
• Ash 0.31-0.40 g
• Fiber 0.6g
• Phosphorus 11.1 mg
• Calcium 3.4 mg
• Iron 1.01 mg
• Thiamine 0.010 mg
• Riboflavin 0.026 mg
• Carotene 0.035 mg
• Ascorbic Acid 15.5 mg
• Niacin 0.302 mg

Medicinal importance:

Leaves : Rheumatism,Mumps,Skin eruptions and venereal diseases.

Flower: Thrush, cold and cough.

Fruits: Rich source of vitamin C

This plant has less number of species, research is going on to confirm effectiveness of the plant parts.