Cyanotis cristata (L.) D.Don

Family: Commelinaceae

Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Liliopsida > Commelinales > Commelinaceae > Cyanotis > C. cristata

Common name [English]: Dayflower

Vernacular name [Malayalam]: കുടുമനീലി

Nativity: NE Tropical Africa, Indian Subcontinent to S. China and Peninsular Malaysia

Habitat: Grasslands, degraded forest areas and wastelands

Description: Fleshy, robust herbs. Leaves ovate-oblong, base rounded or cordate, apex obtuse or acute, sparsely ciliate on margins; sheath loose, to 8 mm long, hispid. Cymes mostly terminal, recurved, solitary, peduncle 2-6 cm long; bracts 2.5-5 x 1-2.2 cm, leaf-like; bracteoles 0.7-1 cm long, falcately ovate, sparsely ciliate on margins. Flowers 6-7 mm across. Calyx tube c. 2 mm long; lobes 2-2.5 mm long, hirsute. Corolla pale blue to purple, 6 mm long. Staminal filaments bearded, violet. Ovary globose, hairy at apex. Capsule 2-3 mm long, sub globose; seeds c. 1 mm , trigonous, with 2 large pits on either side.

Flowering and Fruiting: July - October

Uses: The root is used as a medicine for the relief of swelling and snakebite.

Cultivation: Wild

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org