Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees.

Common Name : Waterleaf
Family : Acanthaceae

HABIT

AN ERECT, THORNY, STRIGOSE-HISPID HERB; UP TO 60 CM TALL.

STEMS

THE STEM IS SQUARE AND THICKENED AT NODES AND HAIRY. THE BARK IS DARK BROWN.

LEAVES

WHORLED, LANCEOLATE, DENTATE, ACUMINATE, BASE CUNEATE, SCABROUS, SUB-SESSILE.

FLOWERS

PINK OR BLUE-PURPLE; SESSILE, IN AXILLARY WHORLS, SURROUNDED BY YELLOWISH STIFF SPINES.

FRUITS

CAPSULE 1 CM. LONG, LINEAR OBLONG, POINTED GLABROUS, AND ABOUT 8 SEEDED.