Hoppea fastigiata (Griseb.) C.B.Clarke

 

Family – Gentianaceae

Synonym – Cicendia fastigiata Griseb. 

Habit – Herb

Habitat – Deciduous forests and grasslands, also in the plains

Distribution – Peninsular India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar

Flowering and Fruiting – September-October

Key Identification Features –This herb is small and branched, with 4-winged stems. Its opposite leaves are ovate and subsessile. The inflorescence consists of terminal and axillary cymes with peduncle. The calyx has lanceolate teeth. The corolla tube with unequal, lanceolate lobes. There’s one perfect stamen and three sterile ones. The fruit is an ellipsoid capsule with numerous minute, obscurely reticulate seeds.

Uses - Local tribes have traditionally used it for various brain-related ailments. The genus contains a unique class of compounds called xanthones, which are known for their potential against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Exacum tetragonum Roxb.

 

Family: Gentianaceae

Vernacular name: Kannamthali

Habit: Herb

Habitat: Grasslands and scrub jungles in laterite hillocks

Distribution: Peninsular India

Flowering and Fruiting: November-January

Key identification features: This herbaceous plant has leaves that are elliptic. The cymes are positioned at the terminal end, forming a corymbose arrangement with numerous flowers. The corolla is a striking blue. Stamen are 4 in number with short filaments. The fruit is a capsule.

Uses: alleviate symptoms of conditions such as fever, pain, skin disorders, and gastrointestinal issues.

Canscora perfoliata Lam.

 

Family: Gentianaceae

Synonym: Canscora ventricosa J.F.Gmel., Canscora grandiflora Wight

Vernacular name: Kanchenchedi

Habit: Herb

Habitat: Wet areas in moist deciduous forests among grasses

Distribution: Western Ghats

Flowering and Fruiting: November-February

Key identification features: Dichotomously branched herbs, stem 4-winged. Leaves opposite, Cymes terminal and axillary; flowers pink, 4-merous

Uses: The juice prepared from the plant is given to treat any poisonous bites.

Canscora pauciflora Dalzell

 

Family: Gentianaceae

Synonym: Exacum macrantherum Miq.

Vernacular name: NIL

Habit: Herb

Habitat: Evergreen forests

Distribution: Western Ghats

Flowering and Fruiting: October-November

Key identification features: Erect herbs; stem and branches winged. Leaves opposite, sessile, ovate-acute, Flowers in terminal and axillary, dichotomously branched, lax cymes; Corolla rose, tube. Capsule linear.

Uses: It is used as a traditional medicine, as well as for its oil.

Canscora diffusa (Vahl) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult.

 

Family: Gentianaceae

Synonym: Canscora decurrens Dalzell, Exacum diffusum (Vahl) Willd.

Vernacular name: Jeerakapullu

Habit: Herb

Habitat: Along stream banks and grasslands

Distribution: Tropical Africa, Asia and Australia

Flowering and Fruiting: October-January

Key identification features: Herb with  stem 4-angular.  Lower leaves elliptic, petiolate; upper ones ovate, sessile, 3-ribbed, glabrous. Cymes terminal; Flowers many white, Capsule linear-oblong.

Uses: Leaves eaten after boiling. Entire plant, in decoction, used as tonic and antigastralgic. Fresh whole plant used for schizophrenia, piles and skin diseases.

 

Canscora bhatiana K.S.Prasad & Raveendran

 

Family: Gentianaceae

Synonym: Canscorinella bhatiana (K.S.Prasad & Raveendran) Shahina & Nampy

Habit: Herb

Habitat: Exposed lateritic rocks

Flowering & Fruiting: August - October

Distribution: India

Key identification features: Annual erect herbs; stem quadrangular. Inflorescence terminal compound dichasial cymes. Flowers tetramerous, Calyx-tube membranous, brownish, Corolla actinomorphic, pink. Capsules oblong, with persistent calyx and stamens. Seeds irregular in shape, cubical to rectangular with shallowly sunken sides, brown.