Common Name: Hill glory bower. Tamil Name: Perugilai, Vattakanni
Hill glory bower is native to the Indian sub-continent and is a shrub that grows to the height of about 3 meters. It is commonly found on forest road-sides in Tamilnadu. The simple leaves are arranged in an opposite manner and the leaf margin is entire. The leaf stalk and leaf length measure around 7.4 cm and 14.5 cm respectively. The leaves are ovate in shape and have a cordate base; leaf apex is acuminate. The leaf surfaces on both sides are soft and hairy. The inflorescence is in the form of a terminal or axillary panicle. The flower stalk measure around 1.1 cm and the flower measurers around 2 cm in length. The tubular flowers are aromatic and petals are white in color; inside the throat of the flower reddish-pink streaks can be seen. The flower has four stamens which hang out of the flower. The fruit is dark purple in color and is held by the star shaped calyx elements (the calyx turn dark pink in color as the fruit matures). Hill glory bower is an important medicinal plant in traditional Indian systems of medicine. The plant is deployed for varied uses in different parts of the country. The leaves are cooked and eaten. It is the larval host plant for butterfly Slate flash (source: www.ifoundbutterflies.org). The flowers are extensively visited by many butterflies for nectar.
