Common Name: Fukien tea. Tamil Name: Kodikarai
Fukien tea is a shrub native to the Indo-China region and it grows to around 1.5 meters in height. The branches tend to droop down after reaching a certain height. The simple leaves are bunched on branches at regular intervals. The leaf lamella is scabrous and the lamella covers most portions of the leaf stalk. The leaf stalk and leaf measure around 4 mm and 2.1 cm respectively. The leaf margin at the epical end is teethed. The inflorescence is axillary in small bunches; the petals are white in color. The calyx spreads out at the back of the flower and appear stark like and are longer than the petals. The flower stalk and the flower (across) measurers around 2 mm and 6-7 mm respectively. The fruit is in the form of a beaked globose drupe. The calyx elements are attached to the fruit. This plant was photographed in Anaikatti forest area of Coimbatore district. Fukien tea is much valued for its ornamental leaves and flowers.
