Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Heliotropium indicum (Thekkada)




English :

Indian heliotrope,
Indian turnsole.

Malayalam:
Thekkada,
Thelkada,
Venapacha.

Hindi:
Hathsura,
Hattajuri.

Marathi:
Bharundi.

Gujarathi:
Hathi sundhara.

Bengali:
Hatisur.

Thamil:
Thel kodukku ,
Nakkipoo.

Kannada:
Chelukondi Gida

Botanic name:
Heliotropium indicum

Family:
Boraginaceae.

      

The name Heliotropium is derived from Greek word Helios ( means the Sun ) and Trope (Turning) it is belived that the flowers of this plant always turns towards the Sun.
 Heliotropium indicum is an annual, aromatic, hairy herb grows up to 50 cm height  with a woody base, grows on degraded land.

This plant yields an essential alkaloid.

Leaves and seeds are used in traditional medicines.



3 comments:

Kollam Mathew Gurukkal said...

The flowers are curved like a thel or scorpions tail and hence the name thelkada. Pls post more rare plants. Thanks - Mathew Gurukkal.

Kollam Mathew Gurukkal said...

The flowers are curved like a thel or scorpions tail and hence the name thelkada. Pls post more rare plants. Thanks - Mathew Gurukkal.

Unknown said...

Plant with root is good for heart block