| Callicarpa tomentosa | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific 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 | |
| |
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. Fruits provide food for wildlife. They are sometimes used to make herbal medicine. The leaves are also food for wildlife.
The leaf is known being used as a wick to light an oil lamp.
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.
Common Names
- Sanskrit - Priyangu
- Marathi - Jhijhak
- Tamil - kattu-ke-kumil
- Telugu - bodiga chettu
- Kannada - Pandavara Batti ಪಾಂಡವರಬತ್ತಿ, Aarati gida ಆರತಿಗಿಡ
References
- "Callicarpa tomentosa (L.) L. — the Plant List". Archived from the original on 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
- "Callicarpa tomentosa - VERBENACEAE".
- Pharmcographia indica
- "The leaf that lit the pandavas' path through the forest". Deccan Chronicle. Deccan Chronicle. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- "The secret of Pandavara Batti used as torch by Pandava during exile". www.plantsinformation.com. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Callicarpa tomentosa | |
| Tomex tomentosa | |
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