Statue of Unity – Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat Rain Forest Ektanagar

Canthium coromandelicum

Syn. Canthium parviflorum

IUCN Red List Not Evaluated (NE)

Local name

  • Coromandel Canthium (English)
  • Kirma (Marathi)

Shrub type

Evergreen Deciduous
Family: Rubiaceae
2m

Indicated uses

Medicinal Edible Ornamental Avenue Other

Flowering & fruiting

Flowering Fruiting

Key characters

Canthium coromandelicum bark

Bark

Stems greyish-brown; branches armed with opposite, supra-axillary spines, generally about 1–3 cm long, sometimes reported up to 5 cm.

Canthium coromandelicum leaves

Leaves

Leaves are ovate to elliptic, 1.8–5 cm long and 1.3–3 cm wide, smooth and glabrous, with prominent midrib, reticulate venation, and opposite arrangement.

Canthium coromandelicum flower

Flower

Flowers are small, yellow with 4 stamens. Flowers are bearded in the throat. Tube is short, with 4-5 spreading petals. Anthers are inserted into the throat, scarcely protruding.

Canthium coromandelicum fruit / seeds

Fruit / Seeds

Fruits are obovate, furrowed on each side.

Canthium coromandelicum

Did you know?

Before modern sterilized needles were available, it’s the stiff, needle-sharp spines were traditionally used by rural communities in southern India as natural tools for ear piercing during traditional ceremonies.

Distribution

World map showing distribution

Indian Subcontinent