Anisomeles indica (L.)O. Kuntze
Family
Labiatae
Synonyms
Nepeta indica L., Anisomeles ovata R.Br., Epimeredi indicus (L.) Rothm.
Vernacular Names
|
Malaysia |
Babadotan, bandotan. |
|
English |
Catmint. |
|
Indonesia |
Celangking (Javanese), ki hileud, patuk bangkong (Sundanese). |
|
Philippines |
Kabling-parang, kabling-lalake (Tagalog), lilitan (Iloko). |
|
Thailand |
Komko huai (northern), saapsuea (Central), yaa farang (South-eastern). |
|
Laos |
San nga (Louang-Prabang). |
|
Vietnam |
Thi[ees]n th[ar]o, ph[of]ng, phong th[ar]o. |
Geographical Distributions
Anisomeles indica is native to Southeast Asia, and is nowadays widely distributed from Africa, though not common there, through India, China, Japan and southwards from Malesia to Australia.
Description
Anisomeles indica is a large herb which can reach up to 2 m tall. The stems are quadrangular and sparsely hairy to densely hairy.
The leaves are (broad-)ovate, measuring 5-12 cm x 2-7 cm, hairy on both sides and with 5-celled hairs. The petiole is 1.5-4 cm long and covered with soft hairs.
The inflorescence is a terminal spike, accompanied by more than 2 lateral spikes. The sepal measures 6 mm x 6.5 mm with the longest teeth 1.7-2 mm long.
The fruit is 9-10 mm long where the upper part of the tube and teeth are hairy inside and the petal is up to 11 mm long while the lower lip measures about 8 mm x 3 mm, greenish to whitish, and with dark red lines inside but sometimes purple or blue. The filaments are didymous and 5-6 mm long with the style about 9 mm long. The nutlets are subglobular, measuring 1.2 mm x 1 mm and shiny black.
Ecology / Cultivation
Anisomeles indica grows in sunny and open locations, grasslands, also in teak forests, and on wet soils along streams and irrigated rice fields. It is usually scattered, sometimes locally numerous, at 600-1800 m altitude. It flowers throughout the year when enough water is available.
Line Drawing / Photograph
Read More
1) Safety
References
-
Plant Resources of South-East Asia No.12(2): Medicinal and poisonous plants 2.
