Common name: Dry scaly-ball
Lepidagathis are members of Acanthus family the genus has around 150 plants. In India there are 33 species out of which as much as 21 are endemic. This genus has a large geographical spread from the African to Asia. In India most of these plants are seen around dry hilly areas (lower elevations), they are seen in both Western and Easter ghats. Dry scaly-ball is a plant that grows to about 25 cm in height. The leafs are elliptic to ovate in shape and measure around 2.8 cm in length. The inflorescence is in the form of a pubescent terminale sessile spike of cymes. The bracts are purplish in color and not spiny. The fruit is in the form of capsule. The flowers are white with purple patches and are bi-lipped. The plant is found in hilly (low elevations) of Coimbatore, Udumalpet and nearby hilly areas.
