Description

Pavonia zeylanica (L.) Cav. Syn Nym- Hibiscus zeylanicus.

Sub shrub ca 1m tall, branchlets viscid and stellate pubescent. Leaves deeply 3 - lobed, 0.7 - 1.7 x 0.7 - 1.7 cm, 3- 5 nerved at base, lobes obovate, cuneate at base, margin dentate, apex obtuse to acute, petiole 0.6 - 2 cm, stipule to 1 mm, flowers axillary, solitary, 1.5 cm across, pedicel 2 cm, accrescent to 4 cm, epicalyx segments 8-11, setaceous, 8mm, calyx tube 1.5mm, lobes 5 to 2mm, petals 5, bright pink or white, 7x 4 mm, staminal column to 7 mm, schizocarp to 5mm, mericarp winged at edges, 1.5mm, seeds 2.5mm, pubescent.

Growing from coastal area to 1000m, wastelands, margins of agriculture field.

DIstribution: India , Srilanka, tropical Africa, Mauratious.

Chitthamutti (Tamil), used in siddha system of medicine.