Strobilanthes wallichii Nees

This species has been reported by stewart (l.c.) citing the following specimens which belong, according to him, to Strobilanthes wallichii var. microphylla Nees in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 86. 1832. it differs from the type variety in its very thin lanceolate leaves, lanceolate or subovate ecordate bracts and much broader fruiting calyx lobes. The authors have not seen these specimens.

A gregarious, basally woody, up to 60 cm, undershrub with 4-angled, pubescent or glabrous twigs. Petiole up to 5 cm long, winged or the upper most leaves sessile; lamina membranous, elliptic-oblong to lanceolate, 3-12 x 0.8-5 cm. almost glabrous on both sides, basally attenuate or upper ones cordate, crenate-serrate, long acuminate; Flowers pale-blue, 2.5-3.5 cm long, paired or solitary in lax, monochasial spikes; bracts persistent, leafy, ovate, 8-10 mm long, glabrescent; bracteoles linear-oblong or absent. Calyx lobes linear-lanceolate, 7-8 mm long, glabrous except the glandular hairy apices, enlarged to c. 2.5 cm in fruit, subacute. Corolla tube cylindrical, nearly straight or slightly curved, limb c. 1.5-1.8 cm across, lobes short, obtuse. Capsule oblong, 1.2-1.6 cm long, glabrous, 4-seeded; Seeds ovate, c. 3 nun long, hairy.

Distribution: Pakistan, India and Nepal.

Fl. Per.: Rainy season.

Strobilanthes wallichii, commonly known as Kashmir acanthus, hardy Persian shield, wild petunia, or kandali, is a herbaceous perennial which is native to the Himalayas. In its natural habitat, it purple blooms appear only once every twelve years, an occasion which is celebrated by the Kandali Festival in the Pithoragarh District in India.

Synonyms include:

Pteracanthus alatus (Wall. ex Nees) Bremek. Ruellia alata Wall. ex Nees Strobilanthes atropurpureus Nees