Couple of months ago I brought some #Basil for preparing pasta. Some shoots were available hence planted in a small planter in window. Quite surprisingly it survived and bloomed. 

Basil belongs to #Lamiaceae Family or #Mint Family. Although Basil is native of Eastern countries like #India and #Thiland it is very popular in western countries and is mainly associated with Italian cuisine. 

basil exotic flowers Flora flora by GypsyPrincess flowerphotography flowers of India herbs medicinal plants mint mint family tulas tulshi tulsi

This is a type of #cactus. The flowers are huge, bloom only in night and have pleasant and strong smell. 

The plant originates from #SouthAmerica, southern regions of #Mexico to be exact and has naturalized in #SouthEastAsia along with handful of #Folklores and Superstitions. 

Although the local #Maharashtrian / #Marathi name is #Brahmakamal which has nothing to do with the original Brahmakamal flower which blooms only in the #Himalayas at an altitude of 4000 meters and beyond. 

Here's one from my 2012 archives which had bloomed at my home. 

cactus cactus family exotic flowers flora by GypsyPrincess flora of Sahyadri Flora of western ghats flowers of India Indian flora Orchid cactus