RUBINA AKHTER

A scandent or prostrate shrub up to 4 m tall. Branches hollow, glaucous, bark shiny reddish-brown, papery, flaking. Leaves sub-orbicular or ovate-elliptic, entire or irregularly lobed, glabrous on both surfaces. Flowers in superimposed congested whorls forming tier-like structures. Bracts c. 5 mm long, linear-lanceolate, narrow, hairy. Bracteoles as long as ovaries, hairy. Calyx 5-lobed, glandular-hairy, ciliate. Corolla 2-3 mm long, tubular, 2-lipped, tube narrow, shorter than lobes, not gibbous, pink-purple, fragrant, glandular hairy without Stamens and stigma c. equal to the length of upper lip. Berries connate in tiers, orange.

Fl. Per.: April-July.

Type: Afghanistan, Griffith (K).

Distribution: Endemic in Pakistan.

According to R. R. Stewart (l.c.), usually found climbing on Oak. The fruits are edible in October and November.