Hemigraphis alternata T.Anderson

• Authority

  Wasshausen, Dieter C. & Wood, John R. I. 2004. Acanthaceae of Bolivia. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 49: 1-152.

• Family

  Acanthaceae

• Scientific Name

  Hemigraphis alternata T.Anderson

• Type

  Ruellia alternata Burm. f , FI. Indica 135. 1768. Type: sin. col. 1757 (G-BU). Ruellia colorata Blume, Bijdr. 3:795. 1826. - Hemigraphis colorata (Blume) Hallier f., Nova Acta Leopoldiana, Abh. Deutsch Akad. Naturforscher 70; 199. 1897. [1898]. Type: Java, Zollinger 544 (syntypes B, G-BOIS, GDC). Blechum cordatum Leonard, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Publ. 461:200. 1936. Type: Belize, Bartlett 11355 (MICH). Fig. 14.

• Description

  Description - Low-growing diffuse herb 30-35 cm; stems subquadrangular, puberulous, rooting at lower nodes; leaves petiolate, blades broadly ovate to ovate-oblong to cordate, 3-11 x 2-7 cm, glabrous, underside purple, portions turning indigo upon drying, margin crenate; inflorescence of axillary and terminal, pedunculate, densely bracted, 4-sided dichasiate spikes, 2-3 cm long; bracts ovate-lanceolate to oblong, 8-15 x 4.5 mm, turning indigo upon drying, margin entire; calyx 5-lobed, lobes equal, linear-subulate; corolla white, 15-18 mm long, pubescent, tube slender, limb subregular, and ± equally 5-lobed, lobes 4 x 4 mm: stamens 4, didynamous; anthers 2-thecous, muticous at base. Fruit unknown.