Barleria cristata L.
Vernacular name: Philippine Violet, Crested Philippine Violet (Hindi: वज्रदन्ती, नीली बारलेरिया)
Species Name: Barleria cristata L.
Family: Acanthaceae
Habit: Evergreen shrub
Stem: Erect, much-branched, 1–2 m tall; young branches pubescent, becoming glabrescent with age.
Leaf: Opposite, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, 5–15 × 2–6 cm, entire, shortly petiolate, glabrous to sparsely pubescent.
Flowering: Rainy season to winter.
Flowers: Large, axillary or terminal; corolla funnel-shaped, blue, violet, purple, pink or white, 4–6 cm long, 5-lobed; stamens 4 (didynamous), ovary superior, bicarpellary.
Fruit: Oblong-clavate capsule 1.5–2.5 cm long, beaked, explosively dehiscent; seeds 2–4, flattened.
Uses:
- Leaves and roots are used in traditional medicine for cough, inflammation, wounds, and skin ailments.
- In folk medicines, people uses plant to treat bee and snake bites.
- Plant has antimicrobial, anti-inflammation and antioxidant properties.
- Plant is used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
