Common name: Bengal Pogostemon • Manipuri: লমগী থোঈদিঙ Lamgi thoiding • Marathi: पांगळी Pangli • Bengali: জূঈ লতা Jui-lata • Oriya: Pokasunga • Nepali: रुधिलो Rudhilo
Botanical name: Pogostemon benghalensis Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Synonyms: Origanum benghalense, Pogostemon parviflorus, Pogostemon plectranthoides
Bengal Pogostemon is a large herb which looks like a shrub 1-2 m tall. Stem and branches are quadrangular, purplish and shining. The whole plant has a strong odour.
Oppositely arranged, broadly ovate leaves are 7-12 cm long, with coarsely
double-toothed margins. Flowers occur in dense spikes forming a large
pyramid-like panicle. Purple flowers are 2-lipped, 5-6 mm, with 4 protruding
stamens. Flowering: December.
| Photographs from Maharashtra and Mussoorie. |
Identification credit: Prashant Awale
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