Giant Osbeckia is a small tree, distinguished by the very shaggy
branchlets, the large shaggy or silky leaves densely net-veined, and the
coarse comb-tufts which completely cover the sepal cup.
The plant is endemic to southern Western Ghats, at altitudes of 1800-2400
m. The plant can grow up to 4 m tall. Branchlets are quadrangular with
ferruginous hairs. Leaves are simple, opposite, decussate, stalk 1 cm
long, planoconvex in cross section, ferruginous hairy, 5-8 x 2.5-4.5 cm,
ovate, tip pointed, base blunt to heart-shaped, leathery, dark green
above, paler beneath. Leaves are densely tawny - bristly on both upper and
lower surfaces. Inflorescences are 4-6 flowered, borne at the end of
branches. Flowers are purple. The part below the sepals is urn-shaped, 1.5
x 1.4 cm, with tufts of wooly bristles.
Identification credit: Santhosh Kumar
Photographed in Munnar, Kerala.
• Is this flower misidentified?
If yes,
Your name: Your email: Your comments
The flower labeled Giant Osbeckia is ...