Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small to medium-sized herbaceous plant, able to grow up to 30 - 45 cm tall and 45 - 60 cm wide. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Ovate to lanceolate leaves, alternate, margins serrate, measuring about 12 - 15 cm long and 3 - 10 cm wide, petiole measuring about 2 - 3 cm long, upper surface of leaf has patterns of white blots, underneath side of leaf is purple in colour. |
| Flowers | Blue flowers borne in either axillary or terminal panicles, spike measuring about 2 - 7.5 cm long. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a capsule, oblong in shape, pubescent, measuring about 0.6 - 0.8 cm long, 4 seeded. Seeds are orbicular in shape and contain hairs. |
| Etymology | Genus Strobilanthes refers to the cone-flower or dense inflorescence of the plant. Species maculatus means that the plant is bearing spots or blotches, which in this case is referring to the white spots on the upper surface of the leaf. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Groundcover |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) Remarks | Purple underneath |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32229 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6637 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
