Callicarpa tomentosa

Callicarpa tomentosa is a species of beautyberry plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is found in Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. It is a small tree with about 5m tall. Leaves simple, opposite; elliptic to broadly elliptic; apex acute or acuminate. Purplish flowers show branched axillary cymes. Fruit is 3-4 seeded globose drupe.[2] Fruits provide food for wildlife. They are sometimes used to make herbal medicine. The leaves are also food for wildlife.[3]

Callicarpa tomentosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Callicarpa
Species:
C. tomentosa
Binomial name
Callicarpa tomentosa
(L.) L.
Synonyms[1]
  • Callicarpa arborea Miq. ex C.B.Clarke [Invalid]
  • Callicarpa farinosa Roxb. ex C.B.Clarke [Invalid]
  • Callicarpa lanata L. [Illegitimate]
  • Callicarpa lobata C.B.Clarke
  • Callicarpa tomentosa var. lanata (L.) Bakh.
  • Callicarpa tomex Poir. [Illegitimate]
  • Callicarpa villosa Vahl
  • Callicarpa wallichiana Walp.
  • Cornutia corymbosa Lam. [Illegitimate]
  • Hedyotis arborescens Noronha [Invalid]
  • Tomex tomentosa L.

The leaf is known being used as a wick to light an oil lamp.[4]

In Hinduism, it is said in the legends that when the pandavas went to exile, they lit the tree by applying oil to the leaves and burning them.[5]

Common Names
  • Sanskrit - Priyangu
  • Marathi - Jhijhak
  • Tamil - kattu-ke-kumil
  • Telugu - bodiga chettu
  • Kannada - Pandavara Batti

References
  1. "Callicarpa tomentosa (L.) L. — the Plant List".
  2. "Callicarpa tomentosa - VERBENACEAE".
  3. Pharmcographia indica
  4. "The leaf that lit the pandavas' path through the forest". Deccan Chronicle. Deccan Chronicle. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  5. "The secret of Pandavara Batti used as torch by Pandava during exile". www.plantsinformation.com. Retrieved 2022-10-23.


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