Leycesteria formosa Wall. in Roxb., Fl. Ind. ed. Carey. 2:182. 1824. C.B. Clarke. in Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 3:16.1880; Parker, l.c.; R. R. Stewart, l.c.
RUBINA AKHTER
An erect under shrub up to 2 m tall. Branches hollow, herbaceous, glabrous or slightly hairy. Leaves 5-15 x 2.5-8 cm, broadly ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, entire or slightly serrate; petiole 1-2 cm long. Flowers verticillate, in terminal spikes. Bracts 1.5-4 cm, purplish. Corolla c. 1.5 mm long, white, tinged with purple. Berries c.6 mm long, subglobose, glandular hairy with persistent calyx.
Fl. Per.: June-July.
Type: Wallich s.n.
Distribution: N.W. Himalaya, eastward to India, Nepal, Burma, Bhutan, Assam, S. W. Tibet, W. China.
Found in moist shady places as forest undergrowth between 1500-3000 m in the Himalaya. The plant appears to die back to ground every winter.
