| Devil's Cotton |
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| File size | 1223569 |
| Original date | 9/20/08 10:38 AM |
| Resolution | 1944 x 1458 |
| Flash | Flash did not fire, auto |
| Focal length | 6.3mm |
| Exposure time | 1/320s |
| Aperture | 7.1 |
| Focus Distance | |
| Metering Mode | Multi-segment |
| Camera make | SONY |
| Camera model | DSC-W55 |
| Sensor type |
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Photo: |
Botanical name: Abroma augusta Family: Sterculiaceae (Cacao family)
Synonyms: Abroma alata, Abroma angusta, Ambroma augustum
Synonyms: Abroma alata, Abroma angusta, Ambroma augustum
Devil's Cotton is a large spreading shrub, or a small tree, with fibrous
bark and irritant hairs. It grows up to 2.5 m tall with hairy branches.
Leaves are ovate-oblong long-pointed, with a heart-shaped base, 10-21 cm
long, 5.5-13 cm wide. Leaf blade is 3-7 nerved, with margins unevenly
toothed. Flowers are maroon, up to 5 cm across,
looking down, in few-flowered clusters in leaf axils. Sepals are lance-
shaped, fused at base. Petals are 5, which soon fall off, concave below,
prolonged above into a spoon-shaped blade. Capsule is papery, 5-winged,
cut-off at the tip. The fibre from the bark makes a pliable and attractive
rope which is used in fishing nets. Devil's Cotton is found in the Himalayas and NE India. Flowering: June-September.
Medicinal uses:
The fresh viscid sap of the root bark is
considered to be a valuable emenagogue and uterine tonic. The root has
also been applied to treat itch.
Medicinal uses:
The fresh viscid sap of the root bark is
considered to be a valuable emenagogue and uterine tonic. The root has
also been applied to treat itch. | Identification credit: Pravir Deshmukh | Photographed in Lohit Distt, Arunachal Pradesh & Maharashtra. |
• Is this flower misidentified? If yes,