Asystasia gangetica is a species of plant in the Acanthaceae family. It is commonly known as the Chinese Violet, Coromandel or Creeping Foxglove. In South Africa this plant may simply be called Asystasia.
Erect or scrambling perennial, up to c. 1 m. Leaves opposite, ovate, occasionally finely hairy; margin entire. Flowers in a terminal, often one-sided raceme, white to pale mauve-blue with purple markings in the lower lip.
Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson in Thwaites, Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 235. 1860.
Basionym: Justicia gangetica L.
Decumbent herb, creeping or clambering, 1-3 m in length. Stems quadrangular. Leaves 2.5-11 × 2.5-6.5(8) cm, ovate to lanceolate, chartaceous, pubescent on both surfaces, especially on the veins, the apex acuminate, the base obtuse, truncate, rounded, or cordiform, the margins crenulate; petioles 0.5-3(4.5) cm long. Flowers arranged in terminal spikes on axillary branches; bracts and bracteoles ovate, ciliate. Calyx green, 5-7 mm long, the sepals lanceolate; corolla light yellow or pale violet, 2.3-5 cm long, with glandular hairs on the outer surface; stamens and pistil inserted on the floral tube. Capsules 2-2.5 cm long, claviform, light brown when ripe, densely covered with glandular hairs; seeds light brown, with irregular margins.
Phenology: Collected in flower and fruit throughout the year.
Status: Exotic, ornamental, naturalized in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, quite common.
Selected Specimens Examined: Acevedo-Rdgz., P. 3083; 7001; 7082.