Barleria cristata L.

Growth Form and Height

Barleria cristata L. grows as a shrub 60–100 cm tall.

Leaf Characteristics

Its leaves are dark green on the upper surface and pale green on the lower surface, with a shape ranging from elliptic to narrowly ovate.

Flower Appearance

The flowers are around 5 cm long, funnel-shaped, and can be violet, pink, or white.

Fruit Characteristics

The fruits are ellipsoid capsules around 1.5 cm long, which become glabrous and glossy when they reach maturity.

Native Distribution

This species is native to a broad area stretching from Southern China to India and Myanmar.

Cultivation and Naturalization in Hawaii

It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in villages and gardens, and has become naturalized in Hawaii, where it grows in dry habitats.

Distribution in Fiji and Christmas Island

On Fiji, where it is called "tombithi", and on Christmas Island (Indian Ocean), this shrub also grows as a ruderal species along roadsides and in disturbed areas, from near sea level up to around 100 m elevation.

Thai Common Name and Traditional Use

In Thailand, this plant is known as อังกาบ, and is used as a traditional herbal remedy.

Attributed Medicinal Properties

It is claimed to act as a tonic, diuretic, and blood purifier.

Toxicity Study Results

To test whether intake of this plant for medicinal purposes is safe and nontoxic, studies were conducted on mice; no side effects or death were observed at a fixed dosage of 250 g/kg.

South Indian Common Name and Flowering Period

In South India, it is called December Flower because it blooms in December.

Flower Cultural Use

Its flowers are commonly strung into floral garlands for women to wear in their hair.

Regional Common Names

In Telugu, the flowers are called Decembaralu (plural), and in Tamil, the plant is known as December Poo.