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CLASSIFICATION

ORDER	: Malvales
FAMILY	: Malvaceae
GENUS	: Hibiscus L.
SPECIES	: cannabinus L.
BOTANICAL NAME	: Hibiscus cannabinus L.
SYNONYMS	: ---
COMMON NAME	: Kenaf.
TAMIL NAME	: Palungu.
HINDI NAME	: Patsan.

PLANT DESCRIPTION

HABIT:  A prickly shrub having branched tap root system.

LEAVES :  Broad, cordate, upper lobed, serrate.

INFLORESCENCE :  Solitary axillary.

FLOWERS :  Yellow.Epicalyx of 7-10 free, bracts with prickly margins. Calyx 1 inch long, prickly, with a gland at the base of each lobe. Corolla yellow with purple centre.

FRUIT :  Capsules ovoid, beaked, hairy.Seeds large, brown with minute scales.

FLOWERING AND FRUITING TIME :  December-January

MEDICINAL USES

In ayurvedic medicine, the leaves are used to treat various disorders, such as of the blood, diabetes, bilious, the throat, and coughs.

Furthermore, flower juice and seed are consumed for biliousness and bruises.

The flowers were considered emollient, and an infusion of the petals was used as a demulcent.

IMAGES

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