Bark
Smooth, distinctively dark violet to near-black stems that are round, hairless (glabrous), and visibly swollen or jointed at the nodes.
Justicia gendarussa
Syn. Adhatoda subserrata
IUCN Red List
Vulnerable
(VU)
Local name
- Asian Water-willow (English)
- Kala adulsa (Hindi)
- Indrani (Sanskrit)
Shrub type
Evergreen
Deciduous
Family: Acanthaceae
1.5m
Indicated uses
Medicinal
Edible
Ornamental
Avenue
Other
Flowering & fruiting
Flowering
Fruiting
Key characters
Leaves
Lance-shaped, willow-like leaves (7–14 cm long) that are deep violet-green above with prominent purple veins beneath, completely hairless and glossy.
Flower
Small, tubular white flowers (~1.5–2 cm long) heavily streaked or spotted with purple, arranged in narrow terminal spikes.
Fruit / Seeds
Smooth, club-shaped capsules (~1.2 cm long) that dry out and split to release four small, flat seeds.
Did you know?
In Malayalam the plant is called Vathamkolli or Vathakodi reflecting its traditional use in South India for joint inflammation and rheumatic complaints. Its potential anti-inflammatory effects are being investigated scientifically.
Distribution
Tropical Asia, Andaman Is., Taiwan, Kenya, Nepal