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Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl
Synonym
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Abena jamaicensis
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Family
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Verbenaceae
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Local name
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English- Jamaica vervain
Malayalam- Narivalan
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Flowering and fruiting period
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June-December
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Distribution
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Pantropical
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Distribution in Kerala
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All Districts
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Habitat
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Dry and moist deciduous forests, also in the
plains
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Endemic/Exotic
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Exotic
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Uses
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It is used to treat issues of circulation (high blood pressure),
the gastrointestinal tract (worms, constipation), the respiratory system,
blisters/boils, chills, and fevers. In the Lesser Antilles it is boiled to
treat colds and fevers.
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Key botanical characters:
Subshrubs; branches subtertragonous. Leaves 3.5-7 x 2-4 cm, obovate,
base cuneate and decurrent on petiole, margin coarsely crenate-serrate, apex
obtuse or rounded; petiole to 2 cm long. Spikes terminal, 10-25 cm long, c. 4
mm across. Bracts c. 7 mm long. Calyx c. 6 mm long, 4-toothed, puberulous.
Corolla hypocrateriform, bluish-pink; tube 8-10 mm long, slightly curved;
limb c. 8 mm across. Style included. Fruit c. 5 mm long, oblong.
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