Common name: LongleafKoala Bells Tamil name: Neermalli
Native to Africa, India and South East Asia, A Longifolium is a sub-shrub that grows to a height of about 1 meter. It prefers marshy area with lower sunlight penetration. In Kerala the plant is seen in the underfloor of Myristica swaps (an ancient fresh water ecosystem dominated by Myristica trees). The plant is a perennial with hollow square shaped stem. The simple leafs are arranged in an opposite manner; oval-lanceolate in shape with an acuminate tip, the leaf margin in gently serrated, the leaf surface is rough. The leaf measurers around 13.5 cm in length and has a short petiole. The inflorescence is in the form of a terminal raceme which bears attractive bell-shaped purple colored flowers. The flowers measure around 2.5 cm in length and are bi-lipped, zygomorphic and bisexual. The upper lip is long and the lower lip is three lobed. The flower has four stamens arranged in a didynamous (four stamens arranged in 2 pairs of different lengths) manner. The stamens are arranged in an arch shape along the mouth of the flower. The fruit is in the form of an explosive sub globose capsule which contain several seeds. The word “Artanema” indicates the thread like stamens in the flower. A longifolium has attractive flowers and has ornamental potential.
