Brihati grows wild throughout India. Brihati is a prickly shrub that grows to a height of 1.5 mtrs and belongs to Solanaceae (potato) family. Botanical name is Solanum Anguivi. English common name is Poison berry.
Leaves are alternate, lobed, have prickles along the middle vein.
The flowers face the ground and are blue with yellow stamens around 1 to 1.5 cms in diameter.
The fruits are small yellow or red berries with more than 200 seeds.
The leaves of this plant are offered to Lord Ganesha during 21 patra (leaves) puja while chanting “Om Ganadhipaya namaha – Brihati Patram Samarpayaami”.
Brihati plant is used in Ayurveda to cure various ailments.