Dilip Walse Patil

Scientific Name : Helicteres isora L.

Category : Angiosperms

Status : Alive

Habit : A shrub with young shoots full of stellate hairs. Leaves : Oblong, obovate, cordate, suddenly and shortly acuminate, closely dotted with stellate hairs on both sides irregularly crenate serrate, stipulate, subulate. Inflorescence : Axillary clusters. Flowers : Bilabiate, in axillary clusters of 2-6 together pedicels short, hairy, bracts small, hairy. Calyx tubular, bilipped, hairy, 5 curved, compressed, mouth wide, teeth triangular, unequal, petals, red at first, fading to lead colour, unequal, reflexed on the calyx, separate but with claws closely hooked together. Staminal column fused but with the gynophore, much exerted, suddenly deflexed, anthers 10, in a ring round the ovary. Ovary conical on a curved gynophore, style as long as the ovary, deflexed. Fruits : Capsules twisted like a cork-screw, beaked, with stellate hairs. Seeds many, angular. Flowering and Fruiting Time : July-December Significance : A strong fibre is obtained from bark and the fruits are used medicinally, useful in the griping of bowels and flatulence of children.