Scientific name: Malvaviscus penduliflorus Moc. & Sessé ex DC.
Family: Malvaceae
Synonym: Malvaviscus longifolius (A. St.-Hil.) Spach
Bengali/Vernacular name: Lanka joba, Morich joba.
English name: Pendulous sleeping hibiscus.
Description of the plant: A shrub, up to 2 m tall. Leaves are lanceshaped to narrowly ovate, 6-12 cm long, both surfaces nearly hairless or hairy, base broadly wedge-shaped to nearly rounded, margin toothed. Flowers occur singly, hanging from leaf axils, on 1.5 cm long stalks. Flowers are red, tubular, about 5 cm long.
Plant parts used: Leaf.
Ethnomedicinal uses: Paste prepared from the leaves of the plant is applied on the affected area to treat measles and boils.
Decoction of leaves is used for the treatment of cold.
Decoction made from the leaves of the plant is given for the treatment of leucorrhoea.
Distribution: It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….