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Sanjeevani Booti at Lucknow flower show
by Kamna Mathur

          Lucknow: Sanjeevani booti, a life saving shrub, is fasinating visitors to a flower show at the National Botanical Research Institue here. The Sanjeevani Booti or Selaqinells Bryopteris, finds a mention in the mythological epic Ramayana, and is said to have saved Lakshman, Lord Rama' younger brother being poisoned to death. The special herb is found in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal. "I found the Sanjeevani Booti the most attractive plant of all. We had always heard about how Lord Hanuman searched and brought the life-saving shrub for a wounded Lakshmana in the Ramayana. So, I felt great to see this rare plant for the first time," said Vaibhav Dube, a visitor. "Many a time we have read about the Sanjeevani Booti in various books. But, after getting a chance to watch it, I am delighted," said Kamla, another visitor. Of the many commercial varieties of Gladiolus displayed, there were a number of them with catchy titles like `The Taste of India', `Save Environment Save Us', 'Waves of Tranquility', 'The Midas Touch', ' Rang Lal Hai Lal Bahadur ka', etc. Apart from the Sanjivini Booti, 10 other rare species of plants were also exhibited. They included a pteridophytic (pronounced tuh-rid-uh-fahyt, ter-i-doh) plant, which is known for its remarkable resurrective capabilities. It has been in use in the country since ancient times.

        It has many medicinal uses, and acts as a curative to burning sensation during urination and to ward off effects of a heat wave. It also cures jaundice, dysentery and venereal diseases. Also on view was Kamraj (Helminthostachys), which is used as a tonic by the Tharu tribe. It helps in improving memory, relieves blisters on the tongue and is used to cure skin diseases. The flower show also displayed a carnivorous 'pitcher' plant, which is an endangered species and is only found in the Garo, Jaintia and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. This plant is of botanical curiosity for its beautiful pitchers with which it can trap and decompose insects and absorb nutrients from them. It has high medicinal value. Besides all these, there are various rare species from South America, Tropical America, South Africa and Japan. "We have tried to plant rare species of plants in our Green house which were earlier found in mountains and create awareness about them," said Dr. A.K Roy, a scientist at the National Botanical Research Institute.
- January 25, 2007