Details of some important contributors;  

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A. Lalithamba


Aarti S Khale

2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of September’2022: Smt. Aarti S Khale
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Smt. Aarti S Khale- 1st runner up Most Interactive Person of 2021
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of Nov.’2021: Smt. Aarti S Khale
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Oct.’2021: Smt. Aarti S Khale
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Sept.’2021: Smt. Aarti S Khale
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of August’2021: Smt. Aarti S Khale
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of July’2021: Smt. Aarti S Khale
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of April’2021: Smt. Aarti S Khale
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of March.’2021: Smt. Aarti S Khale
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Feb.’2021: Smt. Aarti S Khale
Smt. Aarti S Khale- Top Most Interactive Persons of 2020
Most Interactive Person of Sept.’2020: Smt. Aarti S Khale

Alka Khare


Anand Kumar Bhatt

Anand Kumar Bhatt was our valued moderator, who got relieved recently on personal grounds. He has been very active on the group since he joined in April’09, except for past few months. He still stands at no. six on the list of posters with 589 messages. He was more interested in issues other than botanical names etc. like Some Beautiful Trees for Central India with GWALIO… , Jasmine in India, Significance of Trees in Vedas and Puranas, Nakshatra Vana Trees, Poison Arrows and Vishkanyas, Some Poisonous Plants of India along with moderators work. Lot of it can be seen on his blog at: http://anandkbhatt.blogspot.com/. Some brief about him is given below: Joined IAS in 1969. Worked till 2003. Worked as Administrative Member, Central Administrative Tribunal from 2003 to 2006. Done a few challenging assignments like Chairman Forward Markets Commission where a lot of changes happened during my time; and Director Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management where I built up the Institute from the foundation laying stage to the level of a fully functional Institute imparting specialised education. in a new field.  Has been interested in plants and flowers for a long time. I am in the process of developing a mini-forest in a small area in my colony. Indiantreepix will always remember & recall his wonderful contributions. (J.M.Garg- 8.11.09)


Andrew Henderson Dr.
Thanks, Dr. Henderson- Arecaceae Month on efloraofindia


Anil Kumar (Dr.)

He had done his graduation and post graduation in botany from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. He did his M.Phil and Phd. with Prof. SR Yadav from University of Delhi on the taxonomic studies on grasses. Now he is teaching as Assistant professor in Swami Shraddhanand college, University of Delhi, Alipur, Delhi-36. He is helping Efloraofindia in a very difficult subject on grasses.Grasses has not been same for us since Dr. Anil Kumar joined us in Nov.’08. He is our expert on grasses on Indiantreepix & helping us in a very difficult subject. Dr Anil Kumar has done his graduation and post graduation  in botany from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. Then he did his M.Phil and Phd. with Prof. SR Yadav from University of Delhi on the taxonomic studies on grasses. Now he is teaching as Assistant professor in Swami Shraddhanand college, University of Delhi, Alipur, Delhi-36. (J.M.Garg- 11.11.09)
In spite of the fact that Poaceae, the 4th largest plant family with over 10,000 species, is the single most important source of food globally, it is often ignored by the botanists (perhaps owing to its complex floral characters and too many number of species). But with the arrival of grass experts like Dr. Anil and others in our group, the interest in studying grasses will sure to increase among members. We also need their expert tips to identify/distinguish major groups/genera of grasses. (D. Vijayadas- 11.11.09)

Anil Thakur


Ankush Dave


Ashutosh Sharma


Ashwini Bhatia


Bala Subramaniam


Balkar Arya (Dr.)

He seems to show a lot of good promise as pointed out by Singh ji earlier & as per details below (135 messages in this month till now): efi thread (J.M.Garg- 23.4.10)
He is a real asset for the group. (Dr. Gurcharan Singh- 23.4.10)

Bhagyashri Ranade


Bharathi Raja


Bhaskar Veeralinga
Dr V. Bhaskara – Obituary


Bubai Bera


Chitra Shankar (Dr.) 

Sh. Chris Chadwell is the Expert contributor from UK about Ladakh plants. I checked up my mail box and I found 83 mails with his address. In most of the mails, he has tried to give his honest opinion, resulting in Ids of unidentified plants.
His web-site (http://www.shpa.org.uk/) introduces some of his activities including a serious interest in Ladakh flora over a period of 36 years.
Indeed it is fair to say he have devoted his life to the study of Himalayan flora, particularly in what I would describe as the borderlands of Western Tibet.
Certainly I feel that he could make a worthwhile contribution to our site for species from Ladakh, the Western Himalaya in general and the other parts of the Himalaya to a lesser extent – which will compliment the existing expertise of those who post and make suggestions identification-wise.  His familiarity with the flora lies primarily in mountain plants, as one reaches lower/ sub-tropical elevations.
I thank & welcome Sh. Chris Chadwell to efloraofindia.

Chris Fraser-Jenkins (Dr.)


D. Vijayadas (Dr.)

He is from Trivandrum, Kerala. Now He is working as Horticulturalist Estates Supervisor Deputy, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia since 11/2008. But in the last year he has finished a research work  entitled as “Taxonomy and spore morphology of Ferns of South Kerala” identified nearly 200 sps. excluding fern allies. He wishes to complete identification after going back to home. I think with Vijaydas ji on board we have a very good expert on Ferns. (J.M.Garg- 9.10.09)


D.S.Rawat (Dr.)


Dalia Seth 

He is a member of Rajasthan Forest Service. He has written a booked called “Prayavaran Prashnotari”. He has also published two books on Flora in Hindi namely “Kitne Sundar Vriksh Hamare” & “Parn Adharit Abhigyan- Van Viriksha”. He has also established a Biodiversity Forest in Jaipur City called Smiriti Van. He has contributed a lot on Efloraofindia. 


Digpati Roy


Dinesh Valke

Sh. Dinesh Valke: 1st Runner up Star Expert of Dec.’ 2023
Sh. Dinesh Valke: 1st Runner up Star Expert of Nov.’ 2023
Congratulations Dinesh ji for contributing 15000 posts
Sh. Dinesh Valke: 2nd Runner up Star Expert of Oct.’ 2023
Sh. Dinesh Valke: 1st Runner up Star Expert of Sept.’ 2023
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Sh. Dinesh Valke: 1st Runner up Star Expert of Jan.’ 2023
Sh. Dinesh Valke: 2nd Runner up Star Expert of 2022
Sh. Dinesh Valke: 2nd Runner-up Star Expert of Nov.’ 2022
Sh. Dinesh Valke: 2nd Runner-up Star Expert of September’ 2022
Sh. Dinesh Valke: 1st Runner-up Star Expert of August’ 2022

Sh. Dinesh Valke: 1st Runner up Star Expert of June’ 2022
Sh. Dinesh Valke: 1st Runner up Star Expert of April’ 2022
Sh. Dinesh Valke: 1st Runner up Star Expert of Feb.’ 2022
Sh. Dinesh Valke: 2nd Runner up Star Expert of July’ 2020

E.S. Santhosh Kumar (Dr.)

He has been helping us with Ids with his expertise since joining. Pl. see details about him as: Described 11 species and 4 varieties of plants as new to science. Published 58 research papers in various national and international journals. Developed a conservatory of over 300 lesser known or totally unknown wild ornamental plants of the Western Ghats. Established a field gene bank of 100 rare endangered and threatened medicinal plants of South India. Developed an Ethno Herbal Forest of over 650 species of medicinal plants used in the classical, folk and tribal systems of medicines. Set up a Raw Drug museum of medicinal plants with their scientific identities. Prepared a check list on the flora of Peppara and Neyyar Wild Life Sancturies of Kerala . Rediscovered 15 endangered or possibly extinct species of angiosperms from the Western Ghats. Floristic study on the Sacred Groves in the Nedumangadu Taluk of Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala. (MSc. Thesis. Submitted to the University of Mumbai). Floristic Study on the Sacred Groves of Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala. (Ph. D. Thesis submitted to the University of Mumbai). Floristic study on Kalakkadu-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), Tamil Nadu, India. Collected and identified over 7500 accessions of herbarium specimens from the Western Ghats. Developed a gene pool of all Indian species of the genera like Biophytum, Thottea, Adhatoda, Plumbago, Rauvolfia etc at TBGRI. Conducted a pioneer field survey, mapping the vegetation, location of RET species etc for proposing Gene Pool Conservation Areas (GPCAs) as the in-situ conservation plots for the endangered species of the Western Ghats of Kerala, India. Completed the Taxonomic studies on the Indian species of genus Thottea Rottboel (Aristolochiaceae). Developed a Systematic Garden at TBGRI with over 88 angiosperm families. Conducted capacity building trainings in Taxonomy to University students. Worked as a consultant for taxonomic identification of plants coming to TBGRI for naming from colleges, universities etc. Worked as a research guide for M.SC and B. Sc students. (J.M.Garg- 3.9.09)
Welcome to the group formally, although we have already benefitted a lot from your expertise.   With more professional taxonomists joining the group, many of us will have to remain awake for longer time. (Gurcharan Singh- 3.9.09)
It is a pleasure  and sheer luck hearing and experiencing Taxonomy from very dedicated experts like you, who never hesitate to help others in need. (Devipriya- 4.9.09)
Dr. Santhosh Kumar has expertise in Western Ghats Flora, while Dr. Pankaj Kumar is an expert on Orchids.  Both of them have been helping us in Identification & are quite involved with the group activities. This should help ‘Indiantreepix’ provide better service to all our members in their quest of capturing, identifying & knowing all about Indian Flora. (J.M.Garg- 14.9.09)  

Giby Kuriakose Dr.


Gurcharan Singh Dr.

2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of Feb.’2024: Sh. Gurcharan Singh
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Sh. Gurcharan Singh: 2nd Runner-up Star Expert of Sept.’ 2023
Most Interactive Person of August’2023: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of July’23: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Sh. Gurcharan Singh: 1st Runner-up Star Expert of June’ 2023
Sh. Gurcharan Singh: 1st Runner-up Star Expert of May’ 2023
Most Interactive Person of April’2023: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of March’2023: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of Feb.’2023: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Sh. Gurcharan Singh: 2nd Runner-up Star Expert of Jan.’ 2022
Sh. Gurcharan Singh- 1st Runner up Star Expert of 2022

Sh. Gurcharan Singh: 2nd Runner-up Star Expert of Dec.’ 2022
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1st runner up Most Interactive Person of July’2022: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of June’2022: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of May’2022: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of April’2022: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of March’2022: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of Feb.’2022: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Gurcharan Singh ji completes 35,000 messages
Most Interactive Person of Jan.’2022: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Sh. Gurcharan Singh- Top Most Interactive Persons of 2021
Most Interactive Person of Nov.’2021: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of Oct.’2021: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of Sept.’2021: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of August’2021: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of July2021: Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Gurcharan Singh ji completes 30,000 message.
Most Interactive Person of May’2021: Sh. Gurcharan Singh
Most Interactive Person of April’2021: Sh. Gurcharan Singh
Sh. Gurcharan Singh- Star Expert of March’2021

Sh. Gurcharan Singh- Star Expert of Feb.’2020
Gurcharan Singh ji achieves 25,000 messages landmark

Sh. Gurcharan Singh- 2nd Runner up Star Expert of 2020
Listing of Brassicaceae

Gurinder Goraya:


I K Sethi (Dr.)

My Mycologist colleague Dr I K Sethi has joined the group and started interacting. We joined together in teaching profession in 1975. Besides dedicated teacher, she is an active researcher. Her book on Fungi is schedule for release shortly. She has also authored several other books. With her joining the group, I think your fungal photographs won’t go unidentified. (Gurcharan Singh- 26.8.09)

I welcome Dr. I K Sethi on the group, which hardly have any knowledgeable individuals on Fungis/ Mushrooms.
It should fulfill the long-filled need of Fungi lovers on the group. Lot of us will be looking forward for picking a copy of her book on Fungis. (J.M.Garg- 26.8.09)
There was a great demand of a Mycologyst in this group. I hope now it is fufilled. Special thanks to Gurcharan Singh ji for bringing her in this group. (N.S.Dungriyal IFS- 26.8.09)
I have interest in fungi and have been into photographing them in field and then studying them in the laboratory. But I find it is not that easy to identify them just on the basis of its morphology. You need to look at its underside, the spore print, its anatomical features and other characters. I don’t consider myself a great mycologist but I definitely will learn with the group.  I will try my level best to identify them as far as possible under the given conditions. (Dr. I K Sethi- 26.8.09)
Yesterday, I chanced upon an interesting book on “Complete encyclopedia of Mushrooms by Gerritt J Keizer” in a book store. Today, it was indeed a delight to know a book on Indian  fungi is on its way. Hope we go mushrooming with a hand book.  (raghu Ananth- 26.8.09)
A book on Indian fungi is most welcome. I sincerely hope the publishers of Dr. Sethi’s fungi book take more than adequate care in printing photographs of top quality. Quite some time ago I was in touch with Clive Shirley in New Zealand for want of Indian experts on fungi but New Zealand fungi are different from Indian fungi so that was not much help. However, its worth cheking his site: http://www.hiddenforest.co.nz/fungi/index.htm. It gives an idea of the potential our forests hold for discovering mushrooms and moulds. Dr. Sethi’s forthcoming book is the beginning of a journey to the world of fungi. (Kiran Srivastava- 27.8.09)
I am happy to announce the release of the first edition (2011) of our Book “Text Book of Fungi & Their Allies” Published by Macmillan Publishers India. The present textbook is intended for students pursuing graduation and post graduation in Botany, students of the faculty of Life sciences, Agriculture, Forestry, Microbiology, Environmental Sciences and Biotechnology. The main purpose of this book is to introduce inquisitive students with a blend of traditional and modern concepts about fungi. This book has 754 pages, 416 figures and about 121 colour photographs of fungi and the diseases caused by them. The coloured plate section is given at the end of the book. There are several Interesting Readings boxes given at specific places in the text. These readings deal with controversies and new developments in the fungal world in order to expand the scope of the field of mycology. The book also includes Mini Glossary at the end of each chapter and a comprehensive Glossary in the appendix. We earnestly hope that the book will certainly prove to be useful in furnishing comprehensive up-to-date information in quite interesting manner for our esteemed readers. We will be only too happy to receive comments, suggestions and criticism from our colleagues, because it will be their views that will go a long way to improve the text at the time of revision. This book being a text book has been kept at price of Rs. 395/. Happy Reading! (Dr. I K Sethi- 4.9.10)
Even without reading it, I can declare with confidence that the book will be very valuable and useful for both students and teachers, as years of hard work and dedication have gone into the preparations for this book. (Gurcharan Singh- 6.9.10)


John Parrotta
Dr. John Parrotta- Star Expert of Jan.’2024

photo contributions…


J.M.Garg


Kenneth Greby

“A storehouse of great knowldge”. Ken as we all love to call him, has been a great source of inspiration to all of us at ‘Efloraofindia’. He has been continuously helping us with Ids sine long. His brief particulars are given as: “I’m 47, single, reside in Florida, USA, but spend considerable time in California, USA. I have a BS In Ornamental Horticulture, with a minor in Botany, from California State Polythechnic University, Pomona (CA, USA). I have worked chiefly for various companies that do municipal GPS street tree inventories and write urban forestry management plans based on collected data. I’ve spent most of my life in California, but about the last five years in Florida; both areas have wide varieties of subtropical (and tropical for the latter) plants. I have traveled the USA fairly extensively, so I know a fair number of temperate conifers, hardwoods and some herbaceous plants. I have run small nurseries, chiefly of rarer species and unusual cultivars both in CA and FL, though I am currently without a growing grounds. I volunteered extensively and donated a significant number of rare plants to Fullerton Arboretum (Fullerton, CA, USA). ISA Certified Arborist #WC-0550. Co-author of  Street Trees Recommended for Southern California (published by Street Tree Seminar, 1999).” My hat off for his great services on ‘Efloraofindia’ (J.M.Garg- 14.3.10)
I whole heartedly appreciate his hard work and dedication in terms of identification of flora as well as sharing available information about plant life with all of us which to a great extent helps in acceleration of mind which has always been a major aim of efloraofindia group. I personally convey my affection and thanks for his contribution and will kindly request him to continue his effort as far as possible and help all of us. (Tanay- 14.3.10)
Kenneth for me is special. On my first visit to California in 2008, nearly 30-40 per cent of my plants were unidentified. In my second visit to California in 2009, when I came back to India, I had no pending identifications. Not only all plants of 2009 but all pending 2008 identifications were made by Kenneth while I was still in California. I have great appreciation for his knowledge of plants, especially the cultivated ones. We are extremely lucky to have him on our group. (Gurcharan Singh- 14.3.10)
You won’t find a more knowledgeable person to ID plants and trees than Ken Greby. He’s not only a walking encyclopedia, he’s a nice guy too! (Barry Stock- 15.3.10)

Khyanjeet Gagoi
Sh. Khyanjeet Gagoi- our Valued member
Sh. Khyanjeet Gagoi- our Valued member 


M. Sawmliana


M.V.Krishnaraj

Thanks to Krishnaraj ji, Shantanu ji, Lalithamba ji, Kunhikannan ji, Vijayasankar ji, D S Rawat ji, Samir ji, Shrikant ji among others- Fabaceae (Faboideae) Fortnight Oct’ 2015


Mahadeswara Swamy
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of Nov.’2023: Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Oct.’2023: Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of Sept.’2023: Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy
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2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of May’2023: Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy
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1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Jan.’2023: Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy’
Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy- 1st runner up Most Interactive Person of 2022
Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy- 1st Runner up Star Expert of Dec.’22
Mahadeswara Swamy completes 5000 posts
Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy- 1st Runner up Star Expert of Nov.’22
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Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy- 1st Runner up Star Expert of September’22
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of August’2022: Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy

2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of July’2022: Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy
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2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of April’2022: Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy
Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy- 2nd Runner up Star Expert of Feb.’22
Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy- 1st Runner up Star Expert of Jan.’22
Joint 2nd Runner up Star Expert of 2021: Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy and Sh. Surajit Koley
Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy- 2nd Runner up Star Expert of August’21
1st Runner up Most Interactive Person of July’21- Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy
1st Runner up Most Interactive Person of May’21- Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy
2nd Runner up Most Interactive Person of April’21- Sh. Mahadeswara Swamy


Mani Nair
He is a nature lover interested in plants mostly flowering type and butterflies and rearing them, growing fruiting trees in pots. He collects seeds of trees from nearby localities and nurseries, sow them and plant the saplings in our Society Compound, Roadside and Schools. He loves visiting national parks, photographing trees, flowers, birds and butterflies, trekking and reading books on nature.


Manudev Madhavan 


Mayur Nandikar Dr.


N. Muthu Karthick

He seems to be deeply involved & associated with Indiantreepix now. He has already sent 115 messages in Nov.’09 & seems to have good knowldge of Flora of Eastern Ghats. His profile is available at: http://myprofile.cos.com/Habenaria & given as: Expertise and Research Interests: Field biologist; have experience in working in hard field conditions and also in laboratory. Other Expertise: Computer software and OS handling. Future Research: Vegetation ecology. Industrial Relevance: Botany; Ecology.
Publications: 1. Utpal Smart, Muthu Karthick, N (2009) Urbanization selectively eliminates native biodiversity: the case of Chennai, India, YETI – 2009, Young Ecologists Talk and Interact, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Young Ecologists Talk and Interact, 2 pages
2. Nehru, P, Muthu Karthick, N, Gnasekaran, G (2008) Transformation of Habitat leads to local extinction native plants in Chennai, International seminar on Multidisciplinary Approaches in Angiosperm Systematics, Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy, Kalyani University, Kalyani, West Bengal, Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy, 1 pages
3. Ranjit Daniels, RJ, Muthu Karthick, N (2008) 150 Animals of IIT – Madras, 1 Edition, Chennai, TN, India, Indian Institute of Science – Madras, Chennai and Care Earth, Chennai, 126 pages, ISBN=9788190423557

4. Ranjit Daniels, RJ, Muthu Karthick, N (2008) 200+ Plants of IIT – Madras, 1 Edition, Indian Institute of Science – Madras, Chennai, Care Earth, Chennai and IIT-M, Chennai, 144 pages, ISBN=9788190423540 (J.M.Garg- 28.11.09)


Narendra Joshi
Kas Week: New episode, new Heroes: Hero of the Week, Mr. Narendra Joshi


Navendu Pagé

Here is some details I could find about him from flowersofindia site: “Navendu Pagé (pronounced paagay) is student of botany in Bangalore. His skill in his field can be guaged from the fact that he identified flowers lying in our unidentified list, 15 at first go, 21 at second go and 6 at third go! He made a trip to Sikkim and took a large number of really nice photographs of Himalayan flowers, and contributed them here.” He has been helping us with difficult Ids since April’09. I envy his talent at this age. (J. M.Garg- 7.10.09)
I am privileged to know Navendu through Ecological Society of India course on Environment Conservation and Natural resource Management. During our courses’ Forest Eco system study camp, we all had fabulous time identifying flora in sacred groves of Mulshi region .There, we had glimpse at his tremendously accurate  taxonomical skills.He is also a major contributor of Flowers of Sahyadri Book Series by Shrikant Ingalhallikar and accompanied him in his various trips in search or rarest of flora…Navendu has done his postgraduation from WII.. and his thesis topic was related to  Sacred Groves of Coorg region. His mother, Mrs. Ushaprabha Page  is one of the first and senior women trekkers of Maharashtra and shares his passion for environment and encourages him . (Dr. Pankaj Kumar- 7.10.09)
“Pugey” as i call him, this punite guy has impressed me a lot!!. He was one of the youngest MSc students here at WII, worked under with my boss for his MSc dissertation. So he is like my younger brother and off course a ‘GURUBHAI’. I also envy him for his knowledge, photographic skills and ever kid like attitude which makes him distinct from others. I believe he has done lot of homework during his preliminary studies which makes him perfect for being a good taxonomist today!!! But unfortunately, he is now a days more into ecology, THE SCIENCE WHICH DEALS WITH ERRORS, AND CALL THEM STANDARD !!. Take my word, his identifications are very much reliable. Apart from plants, he is good in frogs and birds too…. (Dr. Pankaj Kumar- 7.10.09)
He is pursuing his PhD at IISC these days, more into ecology, but I dont want him to loose his taxonomic skills His mom is not just confined to Maharastra but she has been trekking to various peaks in the Himalaya too, India and Nepal I know. Recently through Pugay she sent me Epipogium aphyllum pics, which is a very rare orchid found at around 4000 m asl. She took the pic somewhere near Roopkund (The Lake of Skeletons)……When I met her for the first time, while she was looking at my orchid pics, she said, “O I REMEMBER THIS, THIS IS HABENARIA COMMELINIFOLIA”, I was so much delighted by her enthusiasm!!! She is really a great lady to talk to. (Dr. Pankaj Kumar- 7.10.09)
I often say about him, ‘Munda Kamal Hai!  – Tabish (7.10.09)
I came to know Navendu thru “Flowers of India” site. His observation and understanding of the subject is amazing. (Prashant Awale- 7.10.09)

Nayan Dungriyal

His has been regularly contributing in identification on the group with his vast knowledge. However, his some details are given: “N.S.Dungriyal IFS Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director Satpura Tiger Reserve Hoshangabad M.P. 09424792100” (J.M.Garg- 28.8.09)
You are already making great contributions to Indiantreeepix (Dr Satish Phadke- 28.8.09)


Neil Soares (Dr.)

Dr. Neil has been with us since Sept.’07- almost a founding member. And he has been keeping a low profile, but very consistent in extending help to ‘Indiantreepix’ like our ‘Mr. Consistant’ Dr. Satish Phadke. A close friend of Dr. Almeida, who visits his farm in Sahapur regularly, where he has a great collection of innumerable wild species. He is quite knowledgeable about Flora in & around Mumbai, though being a busy practicing Doctor in Mumbai. I don’t know much about him (which possibly other members can highlight), but his contribution to the group is immense, particularly in its infancy when there were hardly many experts on the group except him. (J.M.Garg- 21.9.09)
Dr. (this part I have known today) Neil has been a very active member, playing role in critical decisions about identifications. We are proud of such persons on the group who like Dr. Satish Phadke work silently but efficiently. (Gurcharan Singh- 21.9.09)
Yes, I have known Neil Soares for many, many years. He is the man who fearlessly handles the large black Heterometrus scorpions sending shivers down many a damsel’s spine venturing out with him on nature outings. He has quite a formidable knowledge of Mumbai flora, and I must add, quite disconcerting when he points to to a tree, or shrub and casually asks me, ‘tell me what is this species?’ Apart from flora Neil is also interested in other facets of nature and ever ready to share his knowledge. Quite a popular guy on nature camps and I understand, very handy at spotting forest denizens on night walks. Someone, at some point of time referred to him once as ‘golden heart’ but I am quite sure he was not entirely comfortable with that cognomen. Dr Neil Soares is a practicing dermatologist but I can assure you his interest in nature is definitely more than skin-deep! (Kiran Srivastava- 21.9.09)
Dr. Neil Soares is a practicing dermatologist in Mumbai. He is not only knowledgeable about Indian Flora but Indian fauna too ( Birds, reptiles, amphibians & insects in particular). Thanks for taking out time for this group from your busy schedule. Your contribution to the group is a great advantage to the laymen like us. (Shubhada Nikharge- 21.9.09)
Dr. Neil Soares- eFl man for the month of November, 2012 (among Non-moderators) 

Nidhan Singh Dr.



P.Santhan Dr.


Pankaj Kumar Dr.


Paradesi Anjaneyulu

Sh. Paradesi Anjineyulu- 2nd Runner up Star Expert of April’2023
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Sh. Paradesi Anjineyulu- 1st Runner up Star Expert of 2021
Sh. Paradesi Anjaneyulu- 2nd runner up Star Expert of Nov.’21
Congrats, Paradesi ji, for getting his Ph.D.
Sh. Paradesi Anjaneyulu- 1st runner up Star Expert of Sept.’21
Manager/ Moderator for Efloraofindia
Sh. Paradesi Anjaneyulu- 1st runner up Star Expert of August’21
Sh. Paradesi Anjaneyulu- 1st runner up Star Expert of July’21
Sh. Paradesi Anjaneyulu- 2nd runner up Star Expert of June’21
Sh. Paradesi Anjaneyulu- ‘The Pillar’ of efloraofindia
Sh. Paradesi Anjaneyulu- 1st runner up Star Expert of May’21
Sh. Paradesi Anjaneyulu- 1st runner up Star Expert of April’21
Sh. Paradesi Anjaneyulu- 2nd runner up Star Expert of March’21

Pascal Bruggeman Dr.
Thanks to Dr. Pascal Bruggeman


Prashant Awale


Radha Veach:


Rajdeo Singh
He is a Project fellow from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. He has started contributing a lot to Efloraofindia.
His professors used to call him J.D.Hooker at his college at Xavier’s Mumbai. He is just too good and has great knowledge as per my sources and of course he is a good friend of mine too. (Dr. Pankaj Kumar- 29.11.10)


Rajesh Sachdev

He has been one of the old hand with ‘Indiantreepix’ & guiding us in our endeavour. About him: An average built, slim and yet stylish guy in his 20s. Young, energetic and enthusiastic mindset, with go-getter attitude. Simple, outspoken and yes, diplomatic as well. Travel freak, net savvy and occasional night lifer. Stays somewhere in distant suburbs of Mumbai – literary beyond Kalyan. Spends most of time in front of computer screen and on books. A graduate in commerce and interested in WILD WORLD. Photography, trekking and advocating the wildlife conservation is his passion. His bread & butter and sauce and chicken and wine come from his job, which is no-where related to wildlife, forest and its conservation. He write blogs and do lot of nature photographing and is a part of India’s network of wildlife conservation. For further information, click his web links: www.rajesh-sachdev.blogpsot.com,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leoparguy/.
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/wild_mumbai/


Dr. Rakesh Singh


Raman Arunachalam

Dr. Ritesh Choudhary


Robi Jose Dr.
Thanks to Robi Jose ji – Co-ordinat​or for the Lauraceae Fortnight
Piperaceae, Lauraceae and Thymelaeacea Fortnight: September 11 to 24, 2014: Coordinators Dr. Raj Gajurel (Piperaceae) and Dr. Robi Jose (Lauraceae)


S.Taffazull Hussain
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Dec.’2022: Sh. S.Taffazull Hussain


Sam Kuzhalanattu
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Feb.’24: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Jan.’24: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu

Most Interactive Person of Dec.’2023: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Most Interactive Person of Nov.’2023: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Most Interactive Person of Oct.’2023: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Most Interactive Person of Sept.’2023: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of August’23: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Most Interactive Person of July’2023: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of June’23: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of May’23: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of April’23: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of March’23: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu- ‘The Pillar’ of efloraofindia
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Feb.’23: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Most Interactive Person of Jan.’2023: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Top Most Interactive Persons of 2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanttu
Most Interactive Person of Dec.’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Nov.’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of Oct.’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Most Interactive Person of September’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Most Interactive Person of August’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu

Most Interactive Person of July’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of June’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Sam Kuzhalanattu: Manager/ Moderator for Efloraofindia
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of May’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of April’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of March’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of Feb.’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu completes more than 250 uploads
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of Jan.’2022: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu- 2nd Runner up Top Most Interactive Persons of 2021
1st runner up Most Interactive Person of Nov.’2021: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of Oct.’2021: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of Sept.’2021: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
2nd runner up Most Interactive Person of August’2021: Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu
Sh. Sam Kuzhalanattu- our valuable member- completes a century of wild plant postings


Samir Mehta
Thanks to Krishnaraj ji, Shantanu ji, Lalithamba ji, Kunhikannan ji, Vijayasankar ji, D S Rawat ji, Samir ji, Shrikant ji among others- Fabaceae (Faboideae) Fortnight Oct’ 2015


Saroj Kumar Kasaju
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Feb.’2024
Most Interactive Person of Jan.’2024: Sh. Saroj Kumar

Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Dec.’2023
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Nov.’2023
Congratulations Saroj Kasaju ji for contributing 45,000 posts
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Oct.’2023
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Sept.’2023
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of August’2023
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of July’2023
Most Interactive Person of June’2023: Sh. Saroj Kumar
Most Interactive Person of May’2023: Sh. Saroj Kumar
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of April’2023
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of March’2023
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Feb.’2023
Congratulations Saroj Kumar Kasaju ji for completing 40,000 posts
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Jan.’2023
Sh. Saroj Kumar Kasaju- Star Expert of 2022

Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Dec.’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Nov.’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Oct.’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of September’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of August’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of July’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of June’2022
Posting 100 images.
Congratulate Saroj Kasaju ji crossing 35000 posts
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of May’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of April’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of March’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Feb.’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Jan.’2022
Sh. Saroj Kumar Kasaju- Star Expert of 2021
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Nov.’2021
Saroj Kasaju ji achieves 30,000 messages landmark
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Oct.’2021
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of Sept.’2021
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of August’2021
Superman of efloraofindia
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of July’2021

Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of June’2021
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of May’2021
Sh. Saroj Kumar- Star Expert of April’2021
Most Interactive Person of March’2021: Sh. Saroj Kumar Kasaju

Most Interactive Person of Feb.’2020: Sh. Saroj Kumar Kasaju
‘अजेय’ ‘Ajey‘- Title for Saroj Kasaju

Saroj Kasaju ji achieves 25,000 messages landmark

Satish Chile

We seem to have got a new expert on the group. .. And now we seem to have got a new expert in the form of Satish Chile. (Gurcharan Singh- 9.4.10)
Well, I am officiating as Principal in Govt. P.G.College Seoni (M.P.) so getting little time for botany because of heavy workload of the(data) exchange of the official information as required by high placed officials. Any way my interest in the subject is still live. I will try to contribute as much as I can. (Satish Chile- 9.4.10)
I really appreciate your knowledge and the enthusiasm and eager to share the knowledge with all the member of the group. People like you increase the fellow feeling of the group to a great extent. I think time is not always important but the interest is much much important which has been proved by many members of this group who regularly identify and post plant photos they don’t even have/had any involvement with botany academically but their knowledge is simply great!! (Tanay- 9.4.10) 

Satish Phadke Dr.

Shahina Shanavas :

Fwd: [efloraofindia:191509] Campanulaceae and Gentianaceae Fortnight: July 1 to 14, 2014- Coordinators- Dr. V. K. Haridasan (Campanulaceae) & Mrs. Shahina Shanavas (Gentianaceae)



Shobha Halwe-Chavda


Shrikant Ingalhalikar

I think Shrikant ji need no introduction. His passion for wild flowers is unparalleled. He has changed the way future books are written on ‘Flowers’ & on Indian Flora. I think he was among the firsts, who realised how to use photography can be used for the benefit of masses. He has done to ‘Flower watching’ what Pradip Krishen has done to Trees (‘Trees of Delhi’ (rather trees of India)). He has set many like us- on a course of knowing & documenting our wild flowers. I myself realised the beauty of of our wild flowers & started photographing them, after getting a copy of his book ‘Flowers of Sahyadris’ (in two volumes) from him. My initial review about his books is available at: efi thread. He has been our member since Feb.’08 & always helping us with Ids. We expect to see more documentation on wild flowers of India from him. (J.M.Garg- 7.11.09)
His (by Sharvari Barve & Shrikant Ingahalikar) new book ‘Trees of Pune’ on which he was working for last 3 years was launched in Pune on 19 th September. Brief information on the contents of the book was posted earlier but can also be seen on a page at www.idsahyadri.com. The interactive map on this site provides viewing of locations for 250 species of rare, heritage and avenues trees of Pune on Google map. I would like to know if every tree species in any city has been documented before. The navigation for identification is based on features of leaves. A sample page image is also provided. I am sure that ITP members will enjoy navigating through this field guide. The book though titled as ‘Trees of Pune’ is useful for every city because most of the 482 trees would be found in every city. The book is priced at Rs. 600 and as indicated earlier a discount of Rs. 100 is the privilege of ITP members.
Thanks, Shrikant for this wonderful effort. People of India will remain indebted to you. We require more such visionaries to take our Flora to the masses. Pune remains at the forefront in this regard. (J.M.Garg- 29.9.10)
Congratulations Shrikant for this manumental work “Trees of Pune”, which will be of great help to the members of this group and especially for the researchers from the Western India. I will use this book a lot when I have the occasion to stay in Pune for a longer time. My son has an apartment in Undri area, but is presently on assignment to USA from Zensar Technologies. (Gurcharan Singh- 26.8.10).
Finding your book very useful (as expected). There are lot of reasons for appreciating, first of them is your efforts. For people like me who find it difficult to go through textual description alone, find this guide with photographs easier. Thank you very much for inspiring many of us to know flora around us. (Dinesh Valke- 22.10.10)
I have gone through all the three books. Very nice sir. My Kids also like to see the varieties of beautiful photoes of the flowers ( FOS). Trees of Pune is very-very useful, I like you have given the destination of the plant, it is very imp. Overall we are using your books daily for the refferences. (Dr. Kadus Arvind- 22.10.10).
Trees of Delhi and Trees of Pune are milestone publications.  One cannot but compare the two. This will go down as a classic. (Anand Kumar Bhatt- 22.10.10)

Sourav Mahmud


Subhasish Panda  


Suhaib Firdous Yatoo

Sukla Saha Dr. 


Surajit Koley


Sushant More

Dr. Swapna Prabhu has been consistently helping us in difficult Ids since she joined in July’08. I thank her for all the help she is extending on Indiantreepix. She is working as Systematic Botanist at Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai. That itself tells a lot about her. She has started a Course in Field Botany, along with bnhsfieldbotany e-group, as per details:
http://www.bnhs.org/article.php?cid=Njg%3D&sid=NDcz&aid=NDcw&t=Mg%3D%3D. She had her education from North-Eastern Hill University & University of Mumbai. (J.M.Garg- 15.11.09)
I know of only two TALLEST taxonomist in the world. One is Dr. Armen Takhtajan from Russia and second is Dr. Swapna Prabhu from India. Apart from being a good professional taxonomist she is also a great ecologist and one of the bestest friend I have on earth. (Dr. Pankaj Kumar- 15.11.09)
Dr. Swpana Prabhu a very mild mannered Botanist who started the very interesting one year course at BNHS. I have been one of her students in a group that ranged from 70 years to 18 years old from various professions and backgrounds. We had a very field oriented course with her and our passion and interest has increased during the course of the one year course. We all want to continue for the second year, does’nt that speak volumes about her ! (Rashida Atthar- 15.11.09)
Like Rashida I too have been her student of field Botany. She is really a lovely person to be with & of course a good teacher. It  was really a wonderful experience to learn plant morphology from her during all our field trips. (Geeta Samant- 15.11.09)

Well, Dr. Swapna Prabhu alias Swap is the person who can irritate me most : ) Because she is EXTREMELY talented and does not let others know even about 10% of it. We have known each other for all our botanical lives (starting from MSC) and it seems like eternity. We worked together in Mahrashtra and those were the “wild” times we had on field trips and her knowledge of taxonomy and knack of building rapport with the local people are just unparalleled! She travelled widely in Nagaland and Arunachal for work, in the most inaccessible places and in strangest of conditions (often on foot) and fell irreversibly in love with the North East. That’s why she went to Shillong (NEHU) university and worked for her PHD in ecology in Nokrek biosphere reserve in grueling conditions and life threatening diseases. Her thesis is the first major work on the area and a great reference to have. She has so far done field work in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana but her major work has been in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and she has traveled widely in South and Central India (including Bihar!!). This wide experience has led to her deep knowledge of Indian vegetation ecology which very few botanists have. In any area she travels, she can pick up any language with any accent very fast and could speak Konyak (Naga) dialect and Nagamese after her first trip to Nagaland. She also can converse in Khasi language. {However she is a talented actress too, and can fool you by confidently speaking gibberrish and passing it off as a little known Mizo dialect : ) } I will not call her a taxonomist, as it is too restricted a term- she is truly a “BOTANIST” with knowledge of taxonomy, ethno-botany, vegetation ecology and conservation science. Someone called her mild mannered- that is generally true, but she has a very strong mind, which is like steel when the need arises- We were all waiting for very long to have her in role of a teacher- as she is excellent in it too. So am glad that so many people are benefiting from her knowledge (-and she has enthused even someone as lethargic as me in writing.) As for her students, I would say that- if she scolds you for something, you obviously deserved it!! She would never lose her patience unless it is necessary and her criticism is always positive- so take it in that manner and you will learn more about botany that way. (Aparna Watve- 23.11.09)


Tabish Qureshi:

“A stalwart among us”. His introduction on his site (http://www.flowersofindia.net/) only says this much: “Tabish is a physicist by profession and holds a doctorate in physics. He has varied interests which include quantum physics, computers, birds and flowers. He has been doing web-designing for fun. He conceived the idea of the website Flowers of India and implemented it. ” But what he has done is unparalleled in India!!! I think, his website now boasts of more than 3000 species of Indian Flora. It becomes all the more important in the absence of any worthwhile information on Indian Flora available on net from different states of India/ BSI etc. Though always busy adding more & more species on his website (which is equally useful to a layman as it is to an expert), he never forgets to find some time for ‘Indiantreepix’ to help everybody with the Ids. That says a lot about him. He has also not hesitated to allow me to make use of Common names from his site (as has been done by Dinesh ji also) in ‘Indiantreepix Database’ so that information is spread far & wide without any constraints. (J.M.Garg- 17.9.09)
When two enthusiasts share their passion together with the same zeal and bring their knowledge on a common table then there is never a question of ego’s or upmanship, and this is what I have seen between “flowersofindia” and “indiantreepix”. (Kiran Srivastava- 17.9.09)
 I think  “flowersofindia” and “Indiantreepix” are complementing each other. I have always been admiring the layout of Flowers of India website. It is so user friendly. Great work Tabish. Keep it up and accept thanks from botanical community for doing, which we could not. (Gurcharan Singh- 17.9.09)

Please remember that although I created the site, and am maintaining it, the fast addition of new flowers is a community
effort, and  invloves the hard work of many flower-hunters, Dinesh Valke and Prashant Awale being the most active ones. The site owes the wealth of Indian languages names and their rendering in native scripts, mostly to Dinesh Valke. People who identify the flowers for FOI are numerous. Many of them you can find on Indiantreepix too. Love of nature, and willingness to share, brings us together. And it is really great that Indiantreepix gives us a platform to have vibrant discussions on flora. Many of the identifications of Indiantreepix, land up at FOI. Let us continue to enjoy the richness of nature. (Tabish- 17.9.09) 


Tanay Bose

He is currently a Research Assistant & Teaching Assistant, Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver to complete his M.Phil and PhD in “Molecular Evolution of Plant Parasitic Basidiomycetes (Fungi). He has completed his M.Sc in Botany last year from Presidency College, Kolkata under University of Calcutta and secured a Gold Medal. We sometimes wonder at his great knowledge at such a young age. Things have really moved fast since he joined us. At the same time, he is ready to spread and share his knowledge which is not so commonly observed. 


Tapas Chakrbarty (Dr.)


TSP Kumar


Usha Desai Dr.


Vijayasankar Raman


Yazdi Palia
He is a coffee and pepper farmer. He lives at the edge of Wayanad wild life sanctuary. He is a lay person who enjoys nature and is thrilled observing its’ many intricacies. 


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More about some of our members including moderators- Links


 

 

 

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