''Strobilanthes cuspidatus'' is a species of flowering shrub found in the
Western Ghats of the west coast of
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
.
Description
''Cuspidatus'' grows at an altitude of over 1,000 metres above sea level on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, where circulating currents of hot air lead to slightly warmer weather than in upper slopes.
It is distinguishable from other species of the genus ''
Strobilanthes
''Strobilanthes'' is a genus of about 350 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, mostly native to tropical Asia and Madagascar, but with a few species extending north into temperate regions of Asia. Many species are cultivated for ...
'' by the white underside of its leaves and slender spikes with sticky
bracts
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of ...
and
sepals
A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coined b ...
. Individual shrubs stand two to five feet tall, with long-stalked, ovate leaves that are
acuminate at both ends. The flowers bloom once every seven years.
The species was first identified by
James Sykes Gamble and was named by
Thomas Anderson.
Conservation
The species is at risk from habitat destruction and invasive species. Specimens in the
Nilgiri Mountains have been found near agricultural land and roads, putting them at risk of being cut down by people unaware of their rare status. Naturalists including A. K. Pradeep have called upon the
Kerala Forest Department to collect seeds and grow them in protected areas to help protect the species.
See also
* ''
Strobilanthes callosa
''Strobilanthes callosa'' ''(Synonym: Carvia callosa (Nees) Bremek)'' is a shrub found mainly in the low lying hills of the Western Ghats, all along the west coast of India. ''
* ''
Strobilanthes kunthiana
''Strobilanthes kunthiana'', known as Kurinji or Neelakurinji in Malayalam and Tamil and Gurige in Kannada is a shrub that is found in the shola forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The purplish blue flower blossoms ...
''
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q17682129
cuspidatus
Flora of India (region)
Flora of the Western Ghats