1154

 Gymnostachyum febrifugum var. febrifugum Benth .

 

Synonym	:	Cryptophragmium febrifugum Kuntze
Family	:	Acanthaceae
Local name	:	Malayalam-Nilamuchaala
Flowering and fruiting period	:	September-December
Distribution	:	Southern Western Ghats
Distribution in kerala	:	Kottayam, Kasaragode, Idukki, Kannur, Thrissur, Wayanad,
Habitat	:	Evergreen forests
IUCN Status	:	Endemic to southern Western Ghats
Uses	:	A decoction of the root helps bringing down fever.
Key Botanical Characters: Scapigerous herbs; stems very short. Leaves to 7 x 4 cm, ovate, obtuse at apex, obtuse and decurrent at base; nerves 3-4 pairs, hirsute below; petiole 3-9 cm long. Scape to 30 cm long, solitary or few, simple or branched . Flowers solitary or 2-4 together; bracts and bracteoles minute; sepals 3 mm long, glabrous; corolla pink, 2.5 cm long, yellow at mouth; anthers pubescent. Capsule 25 x 2 mm, glabrous; seeds 16-20, orbicular, golden brown.