Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Lamiales > Linderniaceae > Torenia > T. crustacea

Description: Erect or ascending, 2-3 inProstrate, diffusely branched herbs, rooting at nodes; stem 4-angled, slightly winged on angles. Leaves 0.8-1.5 x 0.7-1.2 cm, ovate, base truncate, margin serrate, apex subacute, penninerved; petiole c. 5 mm long. Flowers axillary, solitary or 2-per node on terminal racemes; pedicel 1-1.2 cm long. Calyx c. 4 mm long, divided to 1/3, 5-ribbed, lobes elliptic-lanceolate, ciliate on margins. Corolla rose to purple, tube c. 5 mm long. Stamens 4, didynamous; lower pair of stamens with a subulate appendage at the middle of filament. Ovary globose. Capsule c. 5 mm long, 2-3 mm across, ovoid. Seeds minute, many.

Flowering and Fruiting: August - November

Uses: The plant is considered to have emetic and cathartic properties .It has given good results in treating bilious disorders, dysentery, amenorrhoea, and hepatitis. The powdered herb, mixed with rice water, is drunk to relieve diarrhoea, vomiting and cholera. A decoction of the leaves is given as a medicine after childbirth . An infusion is used to diminish leakage of albuminuria and to treat leprosy

Cultivation: Wild

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org