| Callicarpa tomentosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific 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 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]
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] [ better source needed ]
