Bicolor Persian Violet plant has names, which are as beautiful as the flowers in Kannada it is known as “Dodda Chirayutha” and in Marathi it is known as “Udi Chirayat”. The formal botanical name is “Exacum tetragonum”. This plant is an annual herb, which grows to a height of 1 meter and grows wild in the Western Ghats. The leaves are alternate and arranged opposite to one another. Flowers are pretty white, blue or purple and bloom during September-December. The flowers have four petals with a prominent yellow stamen and are fragrant.
Wild Dodda Chirayutha in Magod Falls
This plant can be germinated by sowing seeds. Seeds germinated in 15 – 30 days. The plant needs partial shade and a rich, well-drained soil mix. The soil needs to be moist and fertilized every fortnight. They look pretty in hanging pots too.