A crispata is a sub-shrub growing under canopy of trees, mostly seen along side streams and grows to a height of about 2 meters. It is endemic to the South Western Ghats and generally found around the mid-altitude areas of moist tropical forest habitats . The stem is greenish-red and petioles base look swollen. The simple leaves are arranged in an opposite manner; the leaf margin is wavy and slightly crenate. The leaves are slightly hairy; the upper leaf surface is rough. The petiole and leaf measure around 5 mm and 10 cm respectively.The leaf is elliptic-ovate in shape with an acuminate tip and an cuneate base. The inflorescence is terminal and can measure around 10 cm. The flowers are light pink in color with some darker spots at the center. Flowers mostly occur only on one side of the flowering axis. The calyx is 5 teethed and lanceolate in shape. The flowers are near sessile. The flower tube measurers around 2.5 cm in length. The tubular flower encloses four stamens and a single stigma. The fruit is in the form of a capsule.. This plant was photographed from Geddai hills in Nilgiri district of Tamilnadu.
