There are coconut groves on the Malabar west coast, palmyra palms on the Coromandel east, and in between, a more barren landscape of rugged mountains and dramatic rocky outcroppings, relieved here and there by a patch of Flame of the Forest trees, hibiscus, or deep green jungle, as well as plentiful trickling streams, lotus ponds, and lakes covered with scarlet lilies.
On Malabar's west coast lies coconut trees in groves.