Description
Melochia hermannioides (also called 'Krachaidam', among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the Himalayan region, growing in moist, shady forests and grasslands. It has a rhizome with long, thin, creeping stems, and lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are small, white, and fragrant.
Uses & Benefits
Melochia hermannioides is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a medicinal herb for treating various ailments such as fever, colds, and skin diseases.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Melochia hermannioides is yellow, with a tubular corolla and a four-lobed calyx. The seed is a small, black, oblong nutlet. The seedlings are small, with a single cotyledon.
Cultivation and Propagation
Melochia hermannioides is a rhizomatous perennial that can be grown from seed or division. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil in partial shade. Propagation is by division of the rhizomes in spring.
Where to Find Melochia hermannioides
Melochia hermannioides is native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. It can be found in moist, shaded areas such as rainforests and can be purchased from online nurseries.