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(Justicia adhatoda)
Malabar Nut (Justicia adhatoda)
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© Dan Killam
CC BY 4.0
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© Dan Killam
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: © Dan Killam | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Uploader: dankillam | Publisher: iNaturalist |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements for Wesley Chapel, Florida
| This Plant | Your Site | Plant Suitability for Your Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Precipitation | 3" - 178" | 51" | Aquatic | Aquatic |
| • High Temp. | 60°F - 108°F | 92°F | Your summer temperatures are normal for this plant. | Excellent |
| • Low Temp. | 17°F - 72°F | 48°F | Your winter temperatures are normal for this plant | Excellent |
This plant may not grow well at your location - your precipitation is too high.
Summary
Justicia adhatoda, commonly known as Malabar nut, is a perennial shrub native to the lower Himalayan regions and the plains of India, where it is found in open forest areas and along stream banks. It typically grows to a height of 4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 meters) with a similar spread. The plant has a distinctive appearance with lance-shaped leaves that are 3-4 inches long and 2 inches wide, arranged oppositely on the stem and have a smooth edge. The white flowers are borne in dense axillary spikes and are quite showy, making it a popular ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens. The fruit is a pubescent, club-shaped capsule.
The Malabar nut is valued for its medicinal properties, particularly the leaves which contain beneficial phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, and flavonoids, with vasicine being the most significant. It is widely cultivated for its use in traditional medicine, especially in Ayurveda, to treat respiratory ailments. The plant thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils. It is relatively easy to maintain but requires regular watering during dry periods. While it is not known for being particularly invasive, it can spread through seed dispersal if conditions are favorable.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Malabar nut is valued for its medicinal properties, particularly the leaves which contain beneficial phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, and flavonoids, with vasicine being the most significant. It is widely cultivated for its use in traditional medicine, especially in Ayurveda, to treat respiratory ailments. The plant thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils. It is relatively easy to maintain but requires regular watering during dry periods. While it is not known for being particularly invasive, it can spread through seed dispersal if conditions are favorable.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 4-8 feet
- Width: 3-5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, Purple, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Native to open forest areas and along stream banks in the lower Himalayan regions and the plains of India
Other Names
Common Names: Vasaka, Adhatoda, Malabar-Nut-Tree, Adotodai, Basak, Pavettia, Ya Zui Hua, Adulasha
Scientific Names: Justicia adhatoda, Adeloda serrata, Adhatoda adhatoda, Adhatoda arborea, Adhatoda pubescens, Adhatoda vasica, Adhatoda zeylanica, Dianthera latifolia, Ecbolium adhatoda
GBIF Accepted Name: Justicia adhatoda