Page 4 - common trees of flowers of Uttarakhand

04 | COMMON TREES AND FLOWERS OF UTTARAKHAND WILD FLOWER OF TERAI BHABHAR

Acanthaceae Malabar Nut Justicia adhatoda
Alternate English name: Local name: Adusa, Adulsa, Vasaka

Plant type and size Native woody herb, up to
1.5m tall (can grow taller when cultivated).
Flower size 3cm.
Flowering February-April
Description This is a very common and
medicinally important plant that grows on the
margins of forests and fallow lands, on well
drained soils, up to 1000m elevation. It is
originally from the outer Himalaya, but has
spread and is cultivated widely. The plant is easily
recognised by it’s elongated, light-green, 10-15cm
long, oppositely-arranged, drooping leaves. The
yellowish-brown, woody stem spreads upwards
and white flowers are borne at the top in dense
clusters. The attractive white flowers appear like
two lips, with the lower lip having fine purplish-
mauve lines. The plant has a mildly unpleasant
odour, but the flowers have a sweet aroma. Fruits Suniti Bhushan Datta
are 2cm long, club-shaped with a broad base, and
have longitudinal channels.

Anchal Sondhi

Medicinal and other uses
This plant is used extensively and
famously in Ayurvedic and folk medicine
to heal bronchial ailments, clear phlegm
from the airway, and in alleviating
asthma. Extracts of the plant are also used
to treat piles, urine retention and diseases
of the mouth. There is evidence that
extracts of the plant alleviate the
symptoms of mild Covid-19.
Anchal Sondhi Nature notes
The flowers are visited by Chocolate Pansy
Junonia iphita butterflies for nectar.

TERAI MID-ALTITUDE
LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE
COMMON TREES AND FLOWERS OF UTTARAKHAND
E H E H