Navamallika is large shrub, nearly erect, not
twining or climbing. Branchlets are hairy. Oppositely arranged leaves
are simple, variable in size, up to 18 cm long and 10 cm broad, ovate,
pointed or long-pointed, soft-velvety when young, later hairless,
leaf-base broadly rounded, sometimes heart-shaped, nerves distinct
beneath. Leaf-stalk is 1-2.5 cm. Flowers are fragrant, in lax,
three-forked clusters. Flower-stalks are 5 mm long. Bracts are linear,
up to 5 mm long. Sepals are 5-6, sometimes more, linear, 1-2 mm long.
Flowers are white, tube about 1 cm long, petals usually 8 or 9, 1-1.5 cm
long, lanceshaped, pointed. Berry is mostly simple, 1-1.5 cm long,
ellipsoid, slightly bent, black when ripe. Navamallika is found in
tropical NW Himalayas and Deccan Peninsula, at altitudes of 200-1000 m.
Flowering: April-May.
Identification credit: Krishan Lal
Photographed in Renuka Lake, Sirmaur Distt, Himachal Pradesh.
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The flower labeled Navamallika is ...