Christisonia calcarata Wight

Another poorly known plant from our area. Differs from Christisonia lawii Wight from S. India, by its taller habit, bluish-white flowers, one of the anther cells sterile and spurred. Probably parasitic on Acanthaceous plants (Strobilanthes sp. ?).

Herb with a simple glabrous stem, c. 10 cm or more tall with a corymbose, terminal raceme. Scales broadly ovate, obtuse; bracteoles absent; pedicels 5 cm or more long. Flowers (3-)4-6 (-6.5) cm long, whitish below with pale bluish limb. Calyx 1-2 cm long, including 3-4 mm long segments. Corolla about twice as long as the calyx, tubular, slightly dilated above, pubescent. Stamen filaments pubescent; anther cells often dimorphic, sterile cells conically spurred. Capsules 6-9 mm long and about as broad, with persistent calyx segments; seeds c. 2.5 mm in diameter, reticulate or striate.

Distribution: India and Pakistan.

Fl.Per.: July-Aug.