Ganges Primrose

Common name: Ganges Primrose, Chinese violet, Creeping foxglove • Kannada: Meddhe soppu,

Lavan-valli, Maithaala kaddi • Malayalam: Valli-upu-dali • Marathi: लवण वल्ली Lavana valli •

Tamil: Parchorri, Chorri, Mekampokki • Telugu: Mukka mungera, Poda beera
Botanical name: Asystasia gangetica Family: Acanthaceae (Ruellia family)
Asystasia means inconsistency and relates to the fact that the corolla is more or less

regular which is unusual in the family Acanthaceae. The word gangetica is derived from the

Ganga river in India where it is presumed the species occurs. The Marathi name Lavana valli

means salt resistant creeper. Ganges primrose is an attractive, fast-growing, spreading,

herbaceous groundcover that grows from 30 cm to 60 cm in height. The stems root easily at

the nodes. Leaves are simple and dark green. It produces a cream-coloured flower with

tessellated purple markings on the palate (lower petal of the corolla) in spring and summer.

Flowers are produced over a long period and are followed by capsules with brown seeds. It is

semi-hardy, and young plants require protection in areas of heavy frost. In tropical areas

it can grow rampantly.