Volkameria eriophylla, commonly known as the woolly-leaved Volkameria or the hairy-leaved false-ashoka, is a flowering plant species belonging to the Verbenaceae family. Native to India, this plant also thrives in various regions of South Asia, including Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Typically, the woolly-leaved Volkameria grows as a small tree or shrub, reaching up to 6 meters in height. It has an upright growth habit with a dense crown of foliage that provides ample shade. The leaves are oval-shaped with pointed tips and are covered in fine hairs, giving them a distinct woolly appearance.
The plant produces small, tubular-shaped flowers with five petals arranged in clusters at the ends of branches. These flowers bloom throughout the year, peaking during the summer months from May to August, when they produce an abundance of pinkish-purple blooms.
Volkameria eriophylla thrives in well-drained soils but can tolerate some degree of waterlogging during the monsoon season, when it receives ample rainfall. It prefers full sun exposure but can also grow under partial shade.
Traditional medicine practitioners attribute several medicinal properties to this species, using its leaves to treat various ailments such as fever, coughs, colds, and asthma. The plant's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation caused by these conditions.
Overall, this beautiful flowering shrub or tree adds aesthetic value wherever it grows, while also offering medicinal benefits. Its significance in South Asian flora underscores the importance of biodiversity conservation efforts in the region.
Botanical profile.
- Genus
- Volkameria
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Other names.
