Plants & Animals of India

323 species — 10 curated with local names, 313 regional · Asia · Hindi, Tamil, Bengali.

Regional highlights

Monsoon forests, rice terraces and spice-growing highlands
Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese and Jamu plant medicine traditions
Tiger, elephant and primate ranges across tropical and temperate zones

Plants

Sahjan / Munaga
Moringa oleifera
Hindi
cookingdiabetes
Neem
Azadirachta indica
Hindi
skin conditionsdental careinsect repellent
Ghritkumari / Gwarpatha
Aloe vera
Hindi
Haldi
Curcuma longa
Hindi
curry spiceanti-inflammatory
Ram tulsi
Ocimum gratissimum
Hindi
Adrak
Zingiber officinale
Hindi
Papita
Carica papaya
Hindi
Pat shak / Nalta jute
Corchorus olitorius
Bengali
Patwa / Lal ambari
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Hindi

Animals

Sher / Singh
Panthera leo
Hindi

Regional species

Chital
Axis axis
Cervidae
forest deer
Sambar deer
Rusa unicolor
Cervidae
forest deer
Bornean orangutan
Pongo pygmaeus
Hominidae
rainforest ape
Sumatran orangutan
Pongo abelii
Hominidae
rainforest ape
Northern plains gray langur
Semnopithecus entellus
Cercopithecidae
temple monkey
Giant panda
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Ursidae
bamboo specialist
Red panda
Ailurus fulgens
Ailuridae
montane forest
Clouded leopard
Neofelis nebulosa
Felidae
arboreal predator
Leopard cat
Prionailurus bengalensis
Felidae
small wild cat
Sunda pangolin
Manis javanica
Manidae
trafficked mammal
Asian water monitor
Varanus salvator
Varanidae
wetland reptile
Burmese python
Python bivittatus
Pythonidae
constrictor
King cobra
Ophiophagus hannah
Elapidae
venomous snake
Saltwater crocodile
Crocodylus porosus
Crocodylidae
estuarine predator
Gharial
Gavialis gangeticus
Gavialidae
river reptile
Red junglefowl
Gallus gallus
Phasianidae
ancestor of chicken
Red-crowned crane
Grus japonensis
Gruidae
wetland birdcultural icon
Indian flying fox
Pteropus giganteus
Pteropodidae
seed disperser
Silkworm
Bombyx mori
Bombycidae
silk
Asiatic honey bee
Apis cerana
Apidae
honeypollination
Rohu
Labeo rohita
Cyprinidae
aquaculturefood
Hilsa
Tenualosa ilisha
Clupeidae
fisheriescuisine
Snakehead murrel
Channa striata
Channidae
food fishwound recovery
Long-tailed macaque
Macaca fascicularis
Cercopithecidae
coastal primate
Japanese maple
Acer palmatum
Sapindaceae
ornamental
Bael
Aegle marmelos
Rutaceae
fruitdigestive
Galangal
Alpinia galanga
Zingiberaceae
spicedigestive
Konjac
Amorphophallus konjac
Araceae
foodfibre
Celery
Apium graveolens
Apiaceae
vegetablediuretic
Sweet wormwood
Artemisia annua
Asteraceae
artemisininmalaria
Starfruit
Averrhoa carambola
Oxalidaceae
fruit
Neem
Azadirachta indica
Meliaceae
antimalarialinsecticide
Female bamboo
Bambusa balcooa
Poaceae
construction
Fingerroot
Boesenbergia rotunda
Zingiberaceae
spicedigestive
Mustard greens
Brassica juncea
Brassicaceae
vegetableoil
Sappanwood
Caesalpinia sappan
Fabaceae
red dye
Habanero
Capsicum chinense
Solanaceae
spice
Hairy bittercress
Cardamine hirsuta
Brassicaceae
salad herb
Golden shower tree
Cassia fistula
Fabaceae
laxativeornamental
Deodar cedar
Cedrus deodara
Pinaceae
timberincense
Camphor tree
Cinnamomum camphora
Lauraceae
camphortimber
Cassia cinnamon
Cinnamomum cassia
Lauraceae
spice
Key lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
Rutaceae
fruitvitamin C
Pomelo
Citrus maxima
Rutaceae
fruit
Kaffir lime
Citrus hystrix
Rutaceae
spicefragrance
Crepe ginger
Costus speciosus
Costaceae
ornamentaldiabetes
Saffron crocus
Crocus sativus
Iridaceae
spicemood
Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
Cucurbitaceae
vegetable
Cumin
Cuminum cyminum
Apiaceae
spice
Citronella grass
Cymbopogon nardus
Poaceae
insect repellent
Longan
Dimocarpus longan
Sapindaceae
fruit
Dragon tree
Dracaena draco
Asparagaceae
dragon's blood resin
Durian
Durio zibethinus
Malvaceae
fruit
Finger millet
Eleusine coracana
Poaceae
grainporridge
Amla
Emblica officinalis
Phyllanthaceae
vitamin Chair
Enset
Ensete ventricosum
Musaceae
staple (kocho)
Loquat
Eriobotrya japonica
Rosaceae
fruitcough
River red gum
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Myrtaceae
timberoil
Surinam cherry
Eugenia uniflora
Myrtaceae
fruit
Buckwheat
Fagopyrum esculentum
Polygonaceae
grainrutin
Rubber fig
Ficus elastica
Moraceae
ornamentallatex
Mangosteen
Garcinia mangostana
Clusiaceae
fruit
Malabar tamarind
Garcinia cambogia
Clusiaceae
weight loss (claimed)
Cape jasmine
Gardenia jasminoides
Rubiaceae
fragrancedye
Tree cotton
Gossypium arboreum
Malvaceae
fibre
Gurmar
Gymnema sylvestre
Apocynaceae
blood sugar
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Asteraceae
seedsoil
China rose
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Malvaceae
hairornamental
Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangeaceae
ornamental
Star anise
Illicium verum
Schisandraceae
spiceshikimic acid
True indigo
Indigofera tinctoria
Fabaceae
blue dye
Arabian jasmine
Jasminum sambac
Oleaceae
fragrancetea
Common jasmine
Jasminum officinale
Oleaceae
perfume
Malabar nut
Justicia adhatoda
Acanthaceae
coughbronchitis
Aromatic ginger
Kaempferia galanga
Zingiberaceae
spicecough
Henna
Lawsonia inermis
Lythraceae
dyecooling
Langsat
Lansium domesticum
Meliaceae
fruit
May chang
Litsea cubeba
Lauraceae
essential oil
Sponge gourd
Luffa aegyptiaca
Cucurbitaceae
spongefood
Macadamia
Macadamia integrifolia
Proteaceae
nuts
Southern magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
Magnoliaceae
ornamental
Kamala tree
Mallotus philippensis
Euphorbiaceae
dyeanthelmintic
Sapodilla
Manilkara zapota
Sapotaceae
fruitchicle
Water clover
Marsilea minuta
Marsileaceae
vegetablesleep
Chinaberry
Melia azedarach
Meliaceae
shadeinsecticidetoxic fruit
Sensitive plant
Mimosa pudica
Fabaceae
curiosity plantsleep
Kratom
Mitragyna speciosa
Rubiaceae
stimulantpain (controversial)
Noni
Morinda citrifolia
Rubiaceae
juiceimmune
White mulberry
Morus alba
Moraceae
silkworm foodfruit
Curry leaf
Murraya koenigii
Rutaceae
spicedigestive
Black seed
Nigella sativa
Ranunculaceae
immunespice
Indian trumpet tree
Oroxylum indicum
Bignoniaceae
medicinefood
African rice
Oryza glaberrima
Poaceae
staple food
Pandan
Pandanus amaryllifolius
Pandanaceae
flavouring
Date palm
Phoenix dactylifera
Arecaceae
fruitfibre
Stone breaker
Phyllanthus amarus
Phyllanthaceae
liverkidney stones
Moso bamboo
Phyllostachys edulis
Poaceae
constructionshoots
Chir pine
Pinus roxburghii
Pinaceae
resintimber
Betel leaf
Piper betle
Piperaceae
chewingdigestive
Long pepper
Piper longum
Piperaceae
spicerespiratory
Pistachio
Pistacia vera
Anacardiaceae
nuts
Psyllium
Plantago ovata
Plantaginaceae
fibrelaxative
Ceylon leadwort
Plumbago zeylanica
Plumbaginaceae
skin (caution)
Patchouli
Pogostemon cablin
Lamiaceae
perfume
Apricot
Prunus armeniaca
Rosaceae
fruitkernel oil
Almond
Prunus dulcis
Rosaceae
nutsoil
Peach
Prunus persica
Rosaceae
fruit
Strawberry guava
Psidium cattleyanum
Myrtaceae
fruit
Red sandalwood
Pterocarpus santalinus
Fabaceae
dyetimber
Pomegranate
Punica granatum
Lythraceae
fruitantioxidant
Mongolian oak
Quercus mongolica
Fagaceae
timber
Radish
Raphanus sativus
Brassicaceae
vegetable
Indian snakeroot
Rauvolfia serpentina
Apocynaceae
blood pressurereserpine
Chinese rhubarb
Rheum palmatum
Polygonaceae
laxative
Red sage (danshen)
Salvia miltiorrhiza
Lamiaceae
circulation
Katuk
Sauropus androgynus
Phyllanthaceae
leaf vegetable
Senna
Senna alexandrina
Fabaceae
laxative
Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana
Asteraceae
sweetener
Strychnine tree
Strychnos nux-vomica
Loganiaceae
toxichistoric tonic
Benzoin
Styrax benzoin
Styracaceae
resinincense
Chirata
Swertia chirayita
Gentianaceae
bitter tonicfever
Malay apple
Syzygium malaccense
Myrtaceae
fruit
Crape jasmine
Tabernaemontana divaricata
Apocynaceae
ornamentaleye
Wild thyme
Thymus serpyllum
Lamiaceae
teacough
Ajwain
Trachyspermum ammi
Apiaceae
spicedigestion
Puncture vine
Tribulus terrestris
Zygophyllaceae
tonic
Mung bean
Vigna radiata
Fabaceae
pulsesprouts
Wasabi
Wasabia japonica
Brassicaceae
condiment
Pala indigo
Wrightia tinctoria
Apocynaceae
dyepsoriasis
Sansho pepper
Zanthoxylum piperitum
Rutaceae
spice
Shampoo ginger
Zingiber zerumbet
Zingiberaceae
hairornamental
Jujube
Ziziphus jujuba
Rhamnaceae
fruitsleep
Crimson sunbird
Aethopyga siparaja
Nectariniidae
pollinator
Common kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
Alcedinidae
river bird
Bar-headed goose
Anser indicus
Anatidae
highest-flying bird
Blackbuck
Antilope cervicapra
Bovidae
grassland antelope
Asian small-clawed otter
Aonyx cinereus
Mustelidae
smallest otter
Binturong
Arctictis binturong
Viverridae
bearcat
Babirusa
Babyrousa babyrussa
Suidae
curved-tusk pig
Yak
Bos grunniens
Bovidae
high-altitude livestock
Great hornbill
Buceros bicornis
Bucerotidae
forest bird
Bactrian camel
Camelus bactrianus
Camelidae
two-humped camel
Markhor
Capra falconeri
Bovidae
national animal of Pakistan
Domestic goat
Capra aegagrus hircus
Bovidae
milkmeat
Catla
Catla catla
Cyprinidae
aquaculture fish
Sika deer
Cervus nippon
Cervidae
forest deer
Walking catfish
Clarias batrachus
Clariidae
food fish
Dhole
Cuon alpinus
Canidae
pack hunter
Black drongo
Dicrurus macrocercus
Dicruridae
mimic bird
Sun bear
Helarctos malayanus
Ursidae
smallest bear
Western hoolock gibbon
Hoolock hoolock
Hylobatidae
singing ape
Yellow-bellied sea snake
Hydrophis platurus
Elapidae
marine snake
Lar gibbon
Hylobates lar
Hylobatidae
brachiating ape
Indian crested porcupine
Hystrix indica
Hystricidae
nocturnal rodent
Sable
Martes zibellina
Mustelidae
fur animal
Sloth bear
Melursus ursinus
Ursidae
termite eater
Monocled cobra
Naja kaouthia
Elapidae
venomous snake
Proboscis monkey
Nasalis larvatus
Cercopithecidae
long-nosed primate
Domestic sheep
Ovis aries
Bovidae
woolmeat
Chiru
Pantholops hodgsonii
Bovidae
Tibetan antelope
Ganges river dolphin
Platanista gangetica
Platanistidae
blind river dolphin
Large flying fox
Pteropus vampyrus
Pteropodidae
largest bat
Golden snub-nosed monkey
Rhinopithecus roxellana
Cercopithecidae
mountain primate
Malayan tapir
Tapirus indicus
Tapiridae
black-and-white tapir
Lesser mouse-deer
Tragulus kanchil
Tragulidae
tiny ungulate
African manatee
Trichechus senegalensis
Trichechidae
vulnerable sea cow
Snow leopard (syn.)
Uncia uncia
Felidae
mountain cat
Asian black bear
Ursus thibetanus
Ursidae
moon bear
Komodo dragon
Varanus komodoensis
Varanidae
largest lizard
Sunbeam snake
Xenopeltis unicolor
Xenopeltidae
iridescent snake
Warbling white-eye
Zosterops japonicus
Zosteropidae
small songbird
Mango
Mangifera indica
Anacardiaceae
Aam (Hindi)
Maambazham (Tamil)
Aam (Bengali)
edible fruitleaf tea
Papaya
Carica papaya
Caricaceae
Papita (Hindi)
edible fruitdigestive
Aloe vera
Aloe vera
Asphodelaceae
Ghrit kumari (Hindi)
burnsskin care
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Zingiberaceae
Adrak (Hindi)
spicecold & flu
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Zingiberaceae
Haldi (Hindi)
Manjal (Tamil)
spiceanti-inflammatory
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Lamiaceae
culinary herbdigestive
Garlic
Allium sativum
Amaryllidaceae
Lahsun (Hindi)
spiceblood pressure
Guava
Psidium guajava
Myrtaceae
Amrud (Hindi)
edible fruitdiarrhoea
Coconut palm
Cocos nucifera
Arecaceae
Nariyal (Hindi)
Thengai (Tamil)
oildrinkfibre
Moringa
Moringa oleifera
Moringaceae
Sahjan (Hindi)
Murungai (Tamil)
nutritionhypertension
House sparrow
Passer domesticus
Passeridae
urban bird
Western honey bee
Apis mellifera
Apidae
Madhumakhi (Hindi)
honeypollination
Rock dove
Columba livia
Columbidae
urban bird
Barn swallow
Hirundo rustica
Hirundinidae
migratory bird
Cattle egret
Bubulcus ibis
Ardeidae
farmland bird
Lemon
Citrus limon
Rutaceae
fruitvitamin C
Sweet orange
Citrus sinensis
Rutaceae
fruitjuice
Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Solanaceae
foodlycopene
Bird's eye chilli
Capsicum frutescens
Solanaceae
spice
Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo
Cucurbitaceae
foodseeds
Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus
Malvaceae
soupfibre
Bitter melon
Momordica charantia
Cucurbitaceae
blood sugarfood
Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
Poaceae
teafever
Castor bean
Ricinus communis
Euphorbiaceae
oilindustrial
Sesame
Sesamum indicum
Pedaliaceae
oilseeds
Groundnut
Arachis hypogaea
Fabaceae
foodoil
Sugarcane
Saccharum officinarum
Poaceae
sugarjuice
Sweet potato
Ipomoea batatas
Convolvulaceae
staple food
Madagascar periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus
Apocynaceae
alkaloidsornamental
Brown rat
Rattus norvegicus
Muridae
commensal mammal
Peregrine falcon
Falco peregrinus
Falconidae
raptor
Monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
Nymphalidae
migratory insect
Green sea turtle
Chelonia mydas
Cheloniidae
marine reptile
Barn owl
Tyto alba
Tytonidae
rodent control
Nile tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus
Cichlidae
aquaculture
Silver fir
Abies alba
Pinaceae
timberessential oil
Century plant
Agave americana
Asparagaceae
fibresyrup
Onion
Allium cepa
Amaryllidaceae
foodantibacterial
Spring onion
Allium fistulosum
Amaryllidaceae
food
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Amaryllidaceae
culinary herb
Red amaranth
Amaranthus cruentus
Amaranthaceae
grainleaf vegetable
Smooth pigweed
Amaranthus hybridus
Amaranthaceae
leaf vegetable
Cedar of Lebanon
Cedrus libani
Pinaceae
timbernational tree
Jimsonweed
Datura stramonium
Solanaceae
toxicasthma (historic)
Fig
Ficus carica
Moraceae
fruit
Aubergine
Solanum melongena
Solanaceae
vegetable
Eurasian sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
Accipitridae
raptor
Common myna
Acridotheres tristis
Sturnidae
urban bird
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Anatidae
dabbling duck
Common swift
Apus apus
Apodidae
aerial insectivore
Grey heron
Ardea cinerea
Ardeidae
wetland bird
Common buzzard
Buteo buteo
Accipitridae
raptor
Grey wolf
Canis lupus
Canidae
apex predator
Domestic dog
Canis familiaris
Canidae
companionworking animal
Great white shark
Carcharodon carcharias
Lamnidae
apex marine predator
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Cyprinidae
ornamental fish
Seven-spot ladybird
Coccinella septempunctata
Coccinellidae
aphid control
Mute swan
Cygnus olor
Anatidae
ornamental waterfowl
Common carp
Cyprinus carpio
Cyprinidae
food fish
Horse
Equus caballus
Equidae
transportsport
Donkey
Equus asinus
Equidae
pack animal
Common kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Falconidae
hovering raptor
Domestic cat
Felis catus
Felidae
companion animal
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
Fringillidae
songbird
Chicken
Gallus gallus domesticus
Phasianidae
eggsmeat
Herring gull
Larus argentatus
Laridae
coastal bird
House mouse
Mus musculus
Muridae
commensal rodent
Orca
Orcinus orca
Delphinidae
apex marine predator
Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
Hominidae
closest human relative
Great tit
Parus major
Paridae
garden bird
Black redstart
Phoenicurus ochruros
Muscicapidae
urban bird
Sperm whale
Physeter macrocephalus
Physeteridae
deep diver
Common pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Vespertilionidae
insect-eating bat
Black rat
Rattus rattus
Muridae
commensal rodent
Whale shark
Rhincodon typus
Rhincodontidae
largest fish
Atlantic mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Scombridae
food fish
Common starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Sturnidae
murmuration bird
Wild boar
Sus scrofa
Suidae
forest omnivore
Domestic pig
Sus scrofa domesticus
Suidae
meat
Atlantic bluefin tuna
Thunnus thynnus
Scombridae
prized food fish
Common blackbird
Turdus merula
Turdidae
garden songbird
Bottlenose dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
Delphinidae
intelligent cetacean
Northern lapwing
Vanellus vanellus
Charadriidae
farmland wader
Mourning dove
Zenaida macroura
Columbidae
common bird
Viviparous lizard
Zootoca vivipara
Lacertidae
live-bearing lizard
Rice
Oryza sativa
Poaceae
Chawal (Hindi)
staple food
Tea
Camellia sinensis
Theaceae
Chai (Hindi)
beverageantioxidant
Common bamboo
Bambusa vulgaris
Poaceae
constructionshoots
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
Solanaceae
adaptogensleep
Holy basil (tulsi)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Lamiaceae
coughritual
Cinnamon
Cinnamomum verum
Lauraceae
spiceblood sugar
Black pepper
Piper nigrum
Piperaceae
spicedigestion
Sacred lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Nelumbonaceae
foodritual
Lychee
Litchi chinensis
Sapindaceae
edible fruit
Sacred fig
Ficus religiosa
Moraceae
shaderitual
Banana
Musa acuminata
Musaceae
Kela (Hindi)
edible fruit
Tiger
Panthera tigris
Felidae
Bagh (Hindi)
Bagh (Bengali)
apex predator
Asian elephant
Elephas maximus
Elephantidae
Hathi (Hindi)
Yaanai (Tamil)
cultural icon
Indian peafowl
Pavo cristatus
Phasianidae
ornamental bird
Rhesus macaque
Macaca mulatta
Cercopithecidae
urban primate
Water buffalo
Bubalus bubalis
Bovidae
draft animalmilk
Indian cobra
Naja naja
Elapidae
venomous snake
Amla / Indian gooseberry
Phyllanthus emblica
Phyllanthaceae
vitamin Chair tonic
Haritaki
Terminalia chebula
Combretaceae
digestivetriphala
Bibhitaki
Terminalia bellirica
Combretaceae
respiratorytriphala
Arjuna
Terminalia arjuna
Combretaceae
heart tonic
Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
Plantaginaceae
memorynerve tonic
Gotu kola
Centella asiatica
Apiaceae
wound healingcognition
King of bitters
Andrographis paniculata
Acanthaceae
feverimmunity
Giloy
Tinospora cordifolia
Menispermaceae
immunityfever
Shatavari
Asparagus racemosus
Asparagaceae
women's health
Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Fabaceae
blood sugarlactation
Green cardamom
Elettaria cardamomum
Zingiberaceae
spicedigestion
Nutmeg
Myristica fragrans
Myristicaceae
spicesleep
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum
Myrtaceae
toothachespice
Java plum (jamun)
Syzygium cumini
Myrtaceae
blood sugarfruit
Jackfruit
Artocarpus heterophyllus
Moraceae
fruitmeat substitute
Betel palm
Areca catechu
Arecaceae
masticatoryritual
Soybean
Glycine max
Fabaceae
proteinoil
Water spinach (kangkong)
Ipomoea aquatica
Convolvulaceae
vegetable
Agati
Sesbania grandiflora
Fabaceae
vegetablefodder
Banyan
Ficus benghalensis
Moraceae
shaderitual
Indian sandalwood
Santalum album
Santalaceae
fragranceritual
Agarwood
Aquilaria malaccensis
Thymelaeaceae
incenseoud
Red mangrove
Rhizophora mucronata
Rhizophoraceae
coastal protection
Nipa palm
Nypa fruticans
Arecaceae
thatchsugar
Asian ginseng
Panax ginseng
Araliaceae
energyadaptogen
Goji berry
Lycium barbarum
Solanaceae
eye healthtonic
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgoaceae
circulationliving fossil
Huang qi
Astragalus membranaceus
Fabaceae
immunityTCM
Dong quai
Angelica sinensis
Apiaceae
women's healthTCM
Five-flavour berry
Schisandra chinensis
Schisandraceae
adaptogen
Chinese licorice
Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Fabaceae
coughTCM
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum morifolium
Asteraceae
teaeye health
Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
Ebenaceae
fruit
Mandarin
Citrus reticulata
Rutaceae
fruitpeel medicine
Perilla / shiso
Perilla frutescens
Lamiaceae
culinary herb
Japanese cedar
Cryptomeria japonica
Cupressaceae
timberforestry
Burans
Rhododendron arboreum
Ericaceae
juicemontane tree
Snow leopard
Panthera uncia
Felidae
high-altitude predator
Indian rhinoceros
Rhinoceros unicornis
Rhinocerotidae
grassland megafauna
Gaur
Bos gaurus
Bovidae
largest wild cattle