FoI
Fever Gymnostachyum
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Fever Gymnostachyum
ative Photo: A. Ajit
Common name: Fever Gymnostachyum • Kannada: ನೆಲಮುಚ್ಚಳ Nelamucchala, ನಾರುಂಬೇಳೆ Naarumbele
Botanical name: Gymnostachyum febrifugum    Family: Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)
Synonyms: Cryptophragmium febrifugum, Gymnostachyum febrifugum var. bracteatum

Fever Gymnostachyum is an almost stemless herb bearing only scapes (leafless flowering stems). Leaves are up to 7 x 4 cm, ovate, obtuse at apex, blunt and narrowing into stalk at base. Nerves are 3-4 pairs, hairy below; leaf-stalks 3-9 cm long. Flowering stems are up to a foot tall, solitary or few, simple or branched . Flowers are solitary or 2-4 together; bracts and bracteoles minute; sepals 3 mm long, hairless. Flowers are pink, 2.5 cm long, yellow at mouth; anthers velvety. Capsule are 2.5 cm x 2 mm, hairless, seeds 16-20, circular, golden brown. Fever Gymnostachyum is found in peninsular India.
Medicinal uses: A decoction of the root helps bringing down fever.

Identification credit: A. Ajit Photographed in South India.

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