Peristrophe bicalyculata

• Botanical Name : Peristrophe bicalyculata (Retz) Nees
• Synonyms : Dicliptera bicalyculata (Retz.) Kostel.
• Common Name : Kali Anghedi, Adhedi, Lisi Adhedi, Panicled Foldwing
• Plant Family : Acanthaceae
• Plant Form : Herb
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 1, 5, 15, 17, 22, 27-29
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Indroda Park, Van Chetana Kendra, Basan, Aranya Van

About Peristrophe bicalyculata Plant :

• Habit : A laxy paniculate spreading hispid herb, thinly patently hairy, stems and branches 6-angled, scabrous along the angles.
• Leaves : Ovate, acuminate, rounded at base, sometims narrowed, more or less hairy on both sides.
• Inflorescence : Flowers in trichotomous cymes forming large divaricate pubescent.
• Flowers :
  • Bracteate, bracts 2, unequal, opposite, linear or linear-spathulate, acute, mucronate, bracteoles 4, similar to the bracts but shorter.
  • Calyx segments lanceolate-subulate with ciliolate margins.
  • Corolla pink, elliptic, obtuse, entire.Filaments hairy, anther cells ovoid, remote, short, muticose.
  • Ovary hairy at the tip.
  • Styles almost glabrous.
• Fruits :
  • Capsules pubescent, pointed, 4-seeded.
  • Seeds 2-3 minutely glandular papillose.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : September - January
• Significance :
  • The plant is said to be given as fodder for horses.
  • A yellowish brown essential oil obtained by steam-distillation of the plant.
  • It is used on fever, dyspepsia, swellings and bronchitis, juice of the leaves is applied on glandular swelling.