Exacum travancoricum is one of the rare and threatened plants of Western Ghats. It comes under family Gentianaceae. Moderately to much branched usually laxly cushion-like herb with elliptic, somewhat succulent leaves and usually solitary terminal pale blue to blue flowers. Endemic to southern Western Ghats at 950 to 1800 meters elevation (Ponmudi, Agasthyamala and Tinnevelly hills). Flowers during July - November.[1]

Exacum travancoricum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Gentianaceae
Genus: Exacum
Species:
E. travancoricum
Binomial name
Exacum travancoricum
Bedd. (1869)

Leaves dense, fleshy, 1-1.5 x 0.6-0.8 cm, elliptic-ovate, obtuse to round at apex, attenuate at base; margins thin; midrib prominent.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ Greeting Cards, Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute, Pacha, Palode, Trivandrum - 695 562. 1997
  2. ^ Exacum travancoricum Bedd., Ic. t. 118. 1868-1874; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 873(614). 1923; Klackenberg, Opera Bot. 84: 68. 1985
  3. ^ Gopalan & Henry, Endemic Pl. Agasthiyamala 198. 2000; Mohanan & Sivad., Fl. Agasthyamala 462. 2002.
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