Scutellaria discolor Wallich ex Bentham

Herbs perennial, rhizomatous. Stems ascending to erect, 5.5-38 cm tall, densely puberulent, reddish, unbranched, apically leafless. Stem leaves in 2-4(-7) pairs; petiole 0.5-2.2(-4.8) cm; leaf blade elliptic-ovate to broadly elliptic, 1.5-7.4 × 1-4.8 cm, papery, pubescent or hirsute especially on veins, adaxially densely puberulent to hirsute, abaxially green or purplish, base cordate to shallowly cordate, margin undulate-crenate, apex rounded to obtuse. Racemes secund, 5-24 cm; peduncle 2.5-4 cm, densely puberulent; floral leaves sessile to short petiolate, ovate to elliptic, 0.7-2.5 × 0.5-1.5 cm, base rounded-truncate, apex obtuse; bracts ovate, 1.5-3 × ca. 1 mm, pubescent, margin entire. Flowers alternate or opposite. Pedicel purplish, 2.5-3 mm, densely pubescent. Calyx ca. 2 mm, pubescent outside, glandular pubescent; scutellum spreading, semicircular, 0.5-0.8 mm, reflexed, almost as long as calyx in fruit. Corolla purple, glandular pubescent outside, 0.9-1.2 cm; tube 7-10 mm, base bent, gradually dilated to 3 mm wide at throat; limb ca. 3 mm, puberulent or pubescent inside; middle lobe of lower lip ovate-orbicular; lateral lobes ovate to oblong-ovate. Nutlets brown, ovoid-ellipsoid, ca. 1 mm in diam., with acuminate tubercles tipped by a whorl of hooks. Fl. Jun-Nov, fr. Jul-Dec.

Distribution: The native range of this species is S. China to Tropical Asia. It is an annual or perennial and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand (India),

Rimjhim

With a passion for conservation especially in regards to plant taxonomy, systematics and ethnobotany, I want to engage in research that contributes to protecting the environment and to know the importance of plants, sustainably. My original interest in plant systematics was captured during my graduation time in BSc Botany at PG college Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India. I strive to continue expanding my skills and learning new techniques whilst applying those I have gained throughout my academic and professional journey, to contribute to a sustainable future.

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