Callicarpa tomentosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Callicarpa
Species:
C. tomentosa
Binomial name
Callicarpa tomentosa
(L.) L.
Synonyms[1]
  • Callicarpa arborea Miq. ex C.B.Clarke [Invalid]
  • Callicarpa farinosa Roxb. ex C.B.Clarke [Invalid]
  • Callicarpa lanata L. [Illegitimate]
  • Callicarpa lobata C.B.Clarke
  • Callicarpa tomentosa var. lanata (L.) Bakh.
  • Callicarpa tomex Poir. [Illegitimate]
  • Callicarpa villosa Vahl
  • Callicarpa wallichiana Walp.
  • Cornutia corymbosa Lam. [Illegitimate]
  • Hedyotis arborescens Noronha [Invalid]
  • Tomex tomentosa L.

Callicarpa tomentosa is a species of beautyberry plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is found in Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. It is a small tree with about 5m tall. Leaves simple, opposite; elliptic to broadly elliptic; apex acute or acuminate. Purplish flowers show branched axillary cymes. Fruit is 3-4 seeded globose drupe.[2] Fruits provide food for wildlife. They are sometimes used to make herbal medicine. The leaves are also food for wildlife.[3]

The leaf is known being used as a wick to light an oil lamp.[4]

In Hinduism, it is said in the legends that when the pandavas went to exile, they lit the tree by applying oil to the leaves and burning them.[5]

Common Names

  • Sanskrit - Priyangu
  • Marathi - Jhijhak
  • Tamil - kattu-ke-kumil
  • Telugu - bodiga chettu
  • Kannada - Pandavara Batti

References

  1. ↑ "Callicarpa tomentosa (L.) L. — the Plant List". Archived from the original on 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  2. ↑ "Callicarpa tomentosa - VERBENACEAE".
  3. ↑ Pharmcographia indica
  4. ↑ "The leaf that lit the pandavas' path through the forest". Deccan Chronicle. Deccan Chronicle. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "The secret of Pandavara Batti used as torch by Pandava during exile". www.plantsinformation.com. Retrieved 2022-10-23.


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