Wildflower of the valley
Whorl Flower
Ainsliaea aptera
- How easy to find
- Very rare — you need to search for it — local knowledge helps
- Flower size
- Small
- Family
- Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
- Local name
- Karu-Bhuti, Khad-jhari
- Type
- Herb
- Height
- 40–90 cm
- Flower colour
- white
- Flowering
- June to July
About Whorl Flower
Ainsliaea aptera is an erect herb of 40 to 90 cm height. Leaves are 4 to 15. Stem leaves are very short. Flower heads solitary or two together white often tinged with pink. Anthers are hairy. The specific name is Aptera and it refers to wingless petiole.
Where to find it
- Near the entrance of the valley
Habitat
Along edges of forests and shruberries.
Uses & folklore
Roots are used in alleviating fever and stomachache and urinary diseases.
What the name means
Ainsliaea honours Sir Whitelaw Ainslie, an early 19th-century Madras surgeon and materia medica author; aptera means "wingless", after the wingless seed pappus.
More photos
Ainsliaea Aptera adds a magical touch to natural parks and trails, making it a perfect find for floral explorers and photographers alike.
