List of Flowers name in Malayalam and English together
In Kerala, flowers are not simply ornamental; they have an important place in social and religious functions. The festive season in this beautiful state is marked by plenty of flowers which serve the purpose of beautifying the occasion, providing an aura of richness, and bringing the people together. From the elaborate Pookalam made of flowers during Onam to the flowers used to decorate houses during Vishu and Christmas, every flower has a purpose.
This appropriate use of flowers complements the cultural perception of nature in Kerala and is instrumental in any celebration.
Here’s a list of flowers name in Malayalam and English with labelled pictures for easy identification:
| Flowers Name in English | Flowers Name in Malayalam |
|---|---|
| Rose | റോസ് (Rōs) |
| Jasmine | മല്ലി (Malli) |
| Hibiscus | ചെമ്പരത്തി (Chemparathi) |
| Marigold | ചെണ്ടുമല്ലി (Chendumalli) |
| Lotus | താമര (Thamara) |
| Sunflower | സൂര്യകാന്തി (Sooryakanthi) |
| Daisy | ഡെയ്സി (Daisy) |
| Lily | ലിലി (Lili) |
| Tulip | ടുലിപ്പ് (Tulip) |
| Orchid | ഓർക്കിഡ് (Orchid) |
| Bougainvillea | ബോഗൻവില്ല (Bougainvilla) |
| Chrysanthemum | ചാമന്തി (Chamanthi) |
| Oleander | അരളി (Arali) |
| Daffodil | ഡാഫൊഡിൽ (Daffodil) |
| Poppy | പപ്പാവ് (Pappavu) |
| Dahlia | ഡാലിയ (Dahlia) |
| Zinnia | സിന്നിയ (Zinnia) |
| Carnation | കാർണേഷൻ (Carnation) |
| Peony | പിഒനി (Peony) |
| Geranium | ജെറാനിയം (Geranium) |
| Lavender | കര്പ്പൂരവള്ളി (Karppooravalli) |
| Golden Shower | കണിക്കൊന്ന (Kanikkonna) |
| Plumeria | പുഷ്പമാലിക (Pushpamalaika) |
| Periwinkle | നിത്യകല്യാണി (Nithyakalyani) |
| Crape Jasmine | നന്ത്യാർവട്ടം (Nandyarvattam) |
| Night-blooming Cestrum | നിശാറാണി (Nisharani) |
| Royal Poinciana | ഗുൽമോഹർ (Gulmohar) |
| Bluebell | ബ്ലൂബെൽ (Bluebell) |
| Snowdrop | വെളുത്ത പുഷ്പം (Velutha Pushpam) |
| Amaranth | അമ്പലത്തിരു (Ambalathiru) |
| Balsam | ബൽസം (Balsam) |
| Calendula | കാൽക്കണ്ട (Kalkkanda) |
| Crossandra | ക്രോസാന്ദ്ര (Krosandra) |
| Water Lily | അംപാൽ (Ampal) |
| Arabian Jasmine | അറബിക്കുല്ലു (Arabikkullu) |
| Night Jasmine | പാരിജാതം (Parijatham) |
| Peacock Flower | മയിൽ പൂവ് (Mayil Poov) |
| Golden Frangipani | ചമ്പകം (Champakam) |
| Spanish Cherry | ഇലഞ്ഞി (Ilanchi) |
| Malabar Nut | ആടലോടകം (Aadalodakam) |
| Datura | പൂശുന്നവരോടു (Pooshunnavareatu) |
| Kewda | കെവാഡ (Kewda) |
| Indian Arrowroot | കൂവാ (Koova) |
| Glory Lily | കിത്തോന്നി (Kiththonni) |
| Crape Ginger | ആനക്കൂവ (Aanakoo) |
| Gazania | ഗസേനിയ (Gazania) |
| Four O’clock | നാലുമണിച്ചെടി (Nalumanichedi) |
| Coral Jasmine | പവിഴമല്ലി (Pavizhamalli) |
| Edible Passion Flower | പാഷൻ ഫ്രൂട്ട് (Passion Fruit) |
| Rangoon Creeper | യശോദപ്പൂ (Yashodappu) |
| Pomegranate | മാതളനാരകം (Madhalanarakam) |
| Black Turmeric | കരിമഞ്ഞൾ (Karimanjal) |
| Ceylon Boxwood | നന്യുല് (Nanyul) |
| Ironwood Tree | കാശാവ് (Kaashav) |
In the social life of Kerala, the role of flowers is very special since they are used for women’s adornment, flowers are also important in festivals, rituals, and in the day to day life of people. Flowers are not just ornaments but are in use for generations imbued with significance. For example, in Onam festival, flowers such as Thumba (Ceylon slitwort) and Mukkutti (little tree plant) are important in Pookalam, which is a floral decoration for the harvest and to honor the mythological King, Mahabali.
Such flowers also remind people of the past and the culture of the state of Kerala, uniting people across time and patterns of activities. However, with the entrance of modernization, not only the flowers but also the knowledge of the ways of using flowers might vanish, as opposed to herbalists who focus on the diseases cured by the plants looking for therapeutic plants.
Furthermore, flowers are also factors in fertility and diversity in life in Kerala temples as they are present in people’s everyday life and tradition adequately. The Tulsi or popularly known as holy wood, is a potent medicinal herb which is prominently present in almost every puja activity performed by the Indians. Similarly, the Malyalees regard flowers such as Chemparathi (hibiscus) and Konna (golden shower) not only because of their beautiful features, but also the flowers are used in celebrating important events such as Vishu, a festival that signifies the beginning of the New Year for many Malayalees.
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Some lesser-known flowers used in Kerala rituals
In Kerala, a number of lesser-known flowers are used in their traditional rituals and celebrations, especially in the Onam festival. One such flower is Thumba (Leucas aspera), small white flower which was found almost in every household’s backyard. Odakkali, the capital of the traditional amalgamation of the Pookalam, was surrounded by nary a gently swaying thicket of Thumba many years ago, when the people of Kerala stood up to greet Mahabali during the Onam festival. Being an aromatic and antipyretic herb, its bitterness did not dull the luster of the occasion.
Today however, urban growth has nearly wiped it out from the younger generations’ consciousness. Mukkutti (Small Plant Coptis Teeta), whose greenery and tiny flowers are equally significant for adorning various rituals, on the other hand, is used to cure multiple ailments such as chest complaints, cramp and is another flower of cultural relevance.
Sankupushpam (Butterfly Pea) is another flower with beautiful blue petals which not only beautifies the floral decoration but is also good for medicinal purposes such as treating skin and urinary disorders. Krishnakireedam (Hanuman Kireedam) is also a flower used in the Pookalam and can be distinguished from the others by its shape and reddish coloration, which is crownlike. Also, with its large white flowers, Mandaram (Mandara) blooms have been quite popular for their nice scent as well as the blossoms, but its popularity has diminished with time as more ornamental flowers were preferred.
This flowers not only beautifies the rituals but also has sculptural importance as it is related to the history of the community. The gradual interaction with these native flowers also emphasizes the need to time and again conserve these flowers that have long been an important part of the floral diversity of Kentucky.
