Sphaeranthus indicus

Common Name : East Indian Globe Thistle Botanical Name : Sphaeranthus indicus Family : Asteraceae

Class - Magnoliopsida

Subclass - Asteridae

Order - Asterales

Genus - Sphaeranthus

Species - indicus

Origin/Native - India, Southeast Asia

Distribution - India, Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia

Category - Herb

Life Cycle - Annual

Foliage - Green, sessile, hairy, obovate-oblong leaves, toothed, alternately arranged

Plant - Erect, Multi branched, Strong Fragrant with cylindrical, winged stems

Flowers - Globose shaped, Deep purple color

Uses - Ayurveda, Herbal, Medicinal

Synonyms - Sphaeranthus indicus Linn, Sphaeranthus mollis, Sphaeranthus hirtus Willd

Type - Medicinal plant

Grows in - Bank of the river, dry waste places, rice fields, tropical areas

Sanskrit Name- Mundi

Hindi - Gorakhmundi

Tamil - Kottakaranthai

Telugu - Bodasaram

Malayalam - Adakkamanian, mirangani

Remedy For - Psoriasis, Skin infections

East Indian Globe Thistle Plant

Sphaeranthus indicus immature flower

Sphaeranthus indicus flower & foliage

Photographs: Guna Selvi Camera: Nikon D40x Location : Cauvery river, Srirangam, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, South India