Common name: Narrow-leafed swertia
Narrow-leaf swertia is a herbaceous perennial and grows to a height of about 2 feet. Found on grassland in low altitude hills in and around Anaikatti hills. : uncommon for our area. The stem is square in cross-section. The simple leafs are arranged in an opposite and decussate manner; leaf margin entire. The near sessile leafs are narrow lanceolate with an acute tip. The leaf measure around 5 mm in length . The inflorescence is the form of a panicle of cymes. The flowers are tubular and bisexual. The flower tube measure around 2 mm and each petal measure around 4 mm. The flowers are blueish-white in appearance. Swertia genus has over 170 species and they are generally herbaceous perennials with a bitter sap. They are found in temperate and sub-tropicals areas. The leafs are arranged in an opposite manner and each corolla lobe bears a single nectary. The plant has an unilocular ovary and the fruit is in the form of a septicidal capsule. The bitter extracted from Narrow-leafed swertia is used in Ayurveda for its anti-inflammatory and rejuvenative properties. The flowers of Narrow-leaf swertia are attractive and can deployed as an ornamental garden plant.
