Sunday, July 21, 2024

Geophila repens (L.) I.M.Johnst.

 

Family – Rubiaceae

Synonym – Carinta repens (L.) L.B.Sm. & Downs; Geocardia repens (L.) Bakh.f.; Psychotria repens (L.) L.; Rondeletia repens L. 

Vernacular names – Karimutthil; Karinkudungal

Habit – Herb

Habitat – Semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, also in sacred groves

Distribution – Pantropical

Flowering and Fruiting – October-April

Key Identification Features – This prostrate herb has simple, papery leaves with rounded or ovate shapes. Its white, funnel-shaped flowers have recurved lobes, and the scarlet berries contain plano-convex seeds. The plant’s stolon-like stems root at nodes, and its peduncles support solitary or few-flowered umbels. The calyx has short, persistent lobes, and the ovary is two-locular with one ovule per locule.

Uses – It has medicinal uses such as treating coughs and skin fungi. It can also be grown as a ground cover plant in shady areas.



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