Goa, May 25 -- ANISHA FRANCIS

anisha@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: When Serena Dias unzips her suitcase after a trip, it's rarely clothes that tumble out - it's leaves, stems, and the scent of soil. On holiday, she's a woman on a

mission - to find and

bring back as many exotic plants as she can fit in

her luggage.

"Most of my travel plans are made based on what new kinds of native plants I may find at my destination," says Serena, a retired school principal, unapologetic about her obsession with

gardening.

"Yes, I'm a crazy plant lady. I've been this way for as long as I can remember, but only now do I have the time to let it grow wild," she quips, as she deftly removes a dead leaf from her spider orchid (Brassia gireoudiana), currently ...