Wild Nongmangkha is a large branched shrub, up to 3-4 m tall. Oppositely
arranged leaves are 8-10 inches long. They are elliptic, pointed at both
ends, sometimes somewhat toothed. Flowers are borne in upright spikes at
the end of branches. Flowers are long, tube-like, reddish. The end of the
tube is 2-lipped. Stamens are 2, slightly protruding out. Wild Nongmangkha
is found in NE India, Yunnan, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam,
at altitudes of 400-1600 m.
Medicinal uses: In Manipur, boiled leaf juice is used as a
tea-like drink to cure cough and fever. Flowers are eaten raw or fried as
tonic. In Arunachal Pradesh, pounded flowers are used as condiment.