Common names are Blue porterweed, Blue snakeweed, and Brazilian tea. In Kannada it is known as Kariuttarani. Botanical name is Stachytarpheta jamaicensis and belongs to Verbenaceae (Verbena) family.
Kariuttarani is an invasive perennial evergreen attractive weed. The leaves and flowers are very attractive, hence is being grown in gardens. Plants can grow up to 6 feet in height; I have seen these tall plants in Chamundi Hills, Mysore.
Small flowers are curved with five petals and bloom on spikes at the end of each of the stems. Flowers are blue, purple, red, coral, and white.
Attracts bees, butterflies, and small birds like flower pecker and humming bird.
Uses:
Alternate medicines use this plant to cure certain ailments.
The leaves of this plant are offered to Lord Ganesh during the 21 patra pooja, and the following is chanted while offering the leaf “Om Guhagrajaya namaha, Apamarga Patram Samarpayaami”.
Propagation:
Propagation is through cutting. Put the cutting in a glass of water until it roots. Water regularly
