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Blepharis maderaspatensis
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Family:
ACANTHACEAE
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Citation: Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. 320. 1821; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 478. 1884; Babu, Fl. Malappuram Dist. 573(a); Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 346. 1990; M. Mohanan & Henry, Fl. Thiruvanthapuram 345. 1994; Sasidh., Fl. Chinnar WLS 232. 1999; Sasidh., Fl. Parambikulam WLS 227. 2002; Mohanan & Sivad., Fl. Agasthyamala 507. 2002.
Acanthus maderaspatensis L., Sp. Pl. 639. 1753.
Blepharis boerhaviifolia Pers., Syn. Pl. 2: 180. 1806; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 478. 1884; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 1013(712). 1924.
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Malayalam Name(s):
Elumbotti, Hemakandi, Murikootipacha
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Tamil name(s):
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English name(s):
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Description:
Prostrate herbs. Leaves ternate, unequal, 3-5 x 2 cm, obovate, apex apiculate, puberulus, margins distantly serrate; petiole to 3 cm. Flowers axillary; bracts 4 pairs, obovate, margins dentate with stiff elongated hairs, bracteoles 1.5 cm, spathulate; outer calyx lobes 1.3 cm and 1.8 cm, oblong, 2 and 3 veined, inner 8 mm; corolla tube urceolate, 5 mm, lower lip reduced, upper lip 3 lobed, 18 x 12 mm, white with pink nerves; filaments 4 and 5 mm, anthers 1-celled, apiculate, bearded; ovary 2.5 mm, oblong, style 1 cm, with a basal ring.
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Habit:
Herb
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Flowering & Fruiting:
November-February
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District(s):
Palakkad, Idukki, Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram, Thrissur
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Medicinal:
Yes
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Habitat:
Dry deciduous forests, also in the plains
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Distribution:
Tropical Africa to India
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Aquatic:
No
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Epiphyte(s):
No
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Saprophyte:
No
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Stem parasite:
No
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Root parasite:
No
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Flower colour(s):
Pink, White
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Weed:
No
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Monocot/Dicot:
Dicotyledonous Plants
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Exotic:
No
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Garden:
No
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Edible:
No
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Vegetable:
No
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Endemic to:
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IUCN status:
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Altitude:
500-800
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Localities:
Chinnar, Keerapady, Attapady block-Mukkali, Olavakkot, Attayar
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