Botanical name:Barleria cristata
Family:Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)
Synonyms: Barleria alba, Barleria indica, Barleria napalensis
Philippine Violet is native to India and southeast Asia. It grows as a shrub 60-100 cm tall. The leaves are dark green on the upper surface and pale green on the lower surface. They are elliptic to narrowly ovate. The flowers are about 5 cm long, funnel-shaped in violet or pink color. The fruits are about 1.5 cm long ellipsoid capsules. Thy become hairless and glossy at maturity. In Tamil Nadu it is known as December Poo or December Flower as it blooms in December and is normally strung into garlands of flowers for women to wear in their hair.
Medicinal uses: This plant is used in Thailand as a traditional herbal remedy. It allegedly acts as a tonic, diuretic and blood purifier.
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