Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Myrtales > Melastomataceae > Osbeckia > O. virgata

Description: Much-branched subshrubs, up to 1 m tall; young stem bluish, stiff appressed hairy. Leaves: elliptic to linear-lanceolate,base attenuate, apex acute, hairy below on nerves, prominently 3-ribbed; petiole up to 5 mm long. Flowers in terminal few-flowered clusters, pentamerous, c. 2 cm across. Calyx tube 3-4 mm long, subglobose with stalked stellate and simple bristles; lobes 5, lanceolate, acute. Petals pink, 6-7 x 3-4 mm, obovate. Stamens: 10; anthers 4-5 mm long. Ovary 5-locular, with tufted stiff hairs. Capsules 6-7 x 4-5 mm, subglobose. Seeds minute, curved and minutely tubercled.

Flowering and fruiting: August-March

Uses: Ayurveda, Folk medicine, Siddha

Cultivation: Cultivated , Wild

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org