Common Name: Heart-leaf velvet bur. Tamil Name: Bellai-ottai
Heart-leaf velvet bur is native to the Indian sub-continent, it is a herb that grows to a height of about 1 meter. The stem is rectangular in shape, full of white hairs, slightly hispid and sticky. The simple leaves are arranged in an opposite manner; leaves are rough on the upper side; leaf margin is crenate and wavy. The leaves are ovate in shape with a near cordate base and an acute apex. The leaf stalk and leaf measure around 2 cm and 5 cm respectively. The inflorescence is in the form of a terminal spike (sessile flowers) which can extend to over 20 cm. After formation of seeds this axis may grow to more than 40 cm. These flowering shoots typically arch downward. The flowers are white in color with five unequal petals joined below to form a tubular flower. The calyx is green in color tubular and five ribbed. The flower across measure around 7 mm and the flower tube measures around 9 mm in length. The fruit is a 2 seeded drupe, the seeds are held inside the calyx cup. Heart-leaf velvet bur is a common plant in fallow lands and forest edges in Tamilnadu. The plant bears nectar-rich flowers throughout the year- it can be planted in butterfly gardens.
