Callicarpa tomentosa is a species of beautyberry plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is found in Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. It is a small tree with about 5m tall. Leaves simple, opposite; elliptic to broadly elliptic; apex acute or acuminate. Purplish flowers show branched axillary cymes. Fruit is 3-4 seeded globose drupe.[2] Fruits provide food for wildlife. They are sometimes used to make herbal medicine. The leaves are also food for wildlife.[3]
| Callicarpa tomentosa | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Callicarpa |
| Species: | C. tomentosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Callicarpa tomentosa (L.) L.
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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The leaf is known being used as a wick to light an oil lamp.[4]
In Hinduism, it is said in the legends that when the pandavas went to exile, they lit the tree by applying oil to the leaves and burning them.[5][better source needed]
Common Names
edit- Sanskrit - Priyangu
- Marathi - Jhijhak
- Tamil - kattu-ke-kumil
- Telugu - bodiga chettu
- Kannada - Pandavara Batti ಪಾಂಡವರಬತ್ತಿ, Aarati gida ಆರತಿಗಿಡ
References
edit- ^ "Callicarpa tomentosa (L.) L. — the Plant List". Archived from the original on 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
- ^ "Callicarpa tomentosa - VERBENACEAE".
- ^ Pharmcographia indica
- ^ "The leaf that lit the pandavas' path through the forest". Deccan Chronicle. Deccan Chronicle. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "The secret of Pandavara Batti used as torch by Pandava during exile". www.plantsinformation.com. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
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