Clincanthus nutans

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
MEDICINAL PLANTS

Clincanthus nutans (Burm.f.) Lindau

Common Name: Snake grass
Family: Acanthaceae
Vernacular Names: Vishapachila – Tamil., Vishamooli – Malayalam., Vishaghni – Sanskrit
Synonyms: Clincanthus burmanni Nees., Clincanthus burmanni var. Robinsonii Benoist.
Plant Description: C. nutans is a herbaceous plant that grows in low shrubs upto 2.5 meters high. Its stems are green, woody, upright and cylindrical. Its leaves are green, simple, lanceolate with pointed tips and rounded bases and are 8 – 12 cm long and 4 – 6 cm wide. Its flowers are red and panicle-shaped with tube-shaped elongated petals of about 3.5 cm length.
Distribution and Habitat: C. nutans is widely distributed in South East Asia. It is grown in gardens
Uses: C. nutans is uded in treating skin rashes, insects and snake bites, lesions caused by herpes simplex virus, diabetes and gout. It is also used as antiinflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant properties.