Common Name: Philippine violet. Tamil Name: Semmulli, December poo
B. cristata is a commonly planted ornamental in home gardens and avenues. The plant can grow to around 1 meter in height. The leaf petiole measure around 0.6 cm. The upper side of leaf is colored dark green and the lower side is of lighter green shade. On the lower side of the leaf the central and 5 pairs of lateral nerves are prominently seen. The leaf arrangement is simple and opposite. The leaf measure around 8 cm in length and 3 cm in breadth and are elliptic in shape. The leaf base is attenuate and apex tapering. The inflorescence is in the form of an auxiliary cyme cushioned on several lanceolate green colored bracts. The flower is funnel shaped and violet in color and measure around 5 cm in length and has five lobes. The flower calyx is of two types. The bigger calyx elements are two in number and are 2.5 cm long, with long ciliate margin and obovate in shape. The smaller calyx segments are linear and small and measure around 1 cm. The flower tube encloses two filamentous stamens with pinkish pollen-head. The fruit is in the form of an ellipsoid capsule. The flowers of this plant are also seen in colors of white and other shades of violet and pink. It serves as a larval host plant for Danaid eggfly, Peacock pansy, Yellow pansy, Chocolate pansy and lemon pansy butterflies.
