Dr. Janaki Ammal: The First Indian Woman Botanist. About Dr. Janaki Ammal: Janaki Ammal Edathil Kakkat was an Indian botanist who researched cytogenetics and phytogeography. Her most significant works are those on sugarcane and eggplant. She gathered a variety of useful medicinal and commercial plants from Kerala's rain forests. Janaki Ammal was born in 1897 in Tellicherry, Kerala. Her father was Dewan Bahadur Edavalath Kakkat Krishnan, a sub-judge in the Madras Presidency. Devi (1864-1941) was the illegitimate daughter of John Child Hannyngton and Kunchi Kurumbi. She has six brothers and five sisters. Education and Major Contributions: Ammal's family encouraged females to pursue academic interests and the beautiful arts, but she decided to study botany. After attending school in Tellichery, she proceeded to Madras, where she earned a bachelor's degree from Queen Mary's College and an honours degree in botany from Presidency College in 1921. Janaki Ammal developed an...
Explore the fascinating world of botany! Learn about the different plants and flowers and how they can be used to benefit our lives.