Peristrophe bicalyculata

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

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  • 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.