Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees
Vernacular name: Firecracker Flower, Kanakambaram (Hindi: कनकाम्बर)
Species Name: Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees
Family: Acanthaceae
Habit: Evergreen perennial herb or subshrub.
Stem: Erect, branched, 30–100 cm tall; green, quadrangular when young, glabrous to sparsely pubescent.
Leaf: Opposite, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, 5–12 × 2–5 cm, entire to slightly undulate, glossy, short-petiolate.
Flowering: Throughout the year, mainly during warm and humid seasons.
Flowers: Showy, orange to salmon-orange, borne in dense terminal spikes with overlapping green bracts; corolla infundibuliform (funnel-shaped), 5-lobed; stamens 4, didynamous; ovary superior, bicarpellary.
Fruit: Oblong capsule, 1–2 cm long, explosively dehiscent; seeds few, flattened.
Uses:
- It ia widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its bright and long-lasting flowers.
- Flowers are extensively used in garlands, floral decorations, and religious offerings in India.
- Poultice of leaf and flower are used traditionally combined with black pepper to dress and heal wounds.
- In folk medicines, flower and leaf extracts are used to treat headaches, fever and generalised aches.
- In tribal practices, plant is used to treat leprosy, ulcers, conjunctivitis and digestive issues.
- Plant has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that helps with oxidative stress and against various bacteria and fungal strains.
- The plant also has minor traditional medicinal uses for skin ailments and fever.
- Saponin rich extracts can be useful in boosting testosterone and improve sexual functions.
