Common name: Western Hill Catmint • Hindi: Chandhara • Marathi: गोपाळी Gopali
Botanical name: Anisomeles heyneana Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Gopali is a tall, erect herb, growing to 1-1.5 m high. Slender stems and
branches are quadrangular.
Oppositely arranged ovate lance-like leaves are 5-12 cm long.
Flowers occur in cymes which are 10-30 cm long. Small 2 cm flowers are white,
tinged with pink, and 2-lipped. Upper lip is 5 mm. The lower lip is 3-lobed.
The flowers resemble cow's earlobes, which gives it its Marathi name.
Flowering: October-November.
| Photographed in Lonavala,
Maharashtra. |
Identification credit: Pravin Kawale
|
ative