Osbeckia nepalensis Hook.; Exot. Fl. 1: t. 31 (1822); Wall., Cat. 143, n. 4061 (1831). (Syn: Osbeckia chulesis D. Don; Osbeckia
nepalensis var. albiflora Lindl.;
Osbeckia speciosa D. Don);
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See variations in Osbeckia stellata & also comparison with Osbeckia nepalensis at FOC illustration.
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Nepal Osbeckia, Seto chulsi;
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Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, SW China, N Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam & Laos—–usually between 400 – 1900m altitudes. But, var. albiflora repoted only from Nepal & China between 700–1600 m altitudes.
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450-2300 m; Himalaya (Nepal to NEFA), Assam, N. Burma, Thailand, Indo-China, Malay, W. China as per  Annotated checklist of Flowering plants of Nepal 
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As per efi thread:
0.5 to 1 metre tall, erect. Stem 4-angled beset with strigose hairs. Lamina oblong-lanceolate (commonly) to ovate-lanceolate (rarely). Infl. terminal, a panicle of cymes, 5–8 cm long. Petals 5, pink, purple to white.
Again, O. nepalensis has 2 varieties based petal colour:—
Petal purely white……….var. albiflora
Petal pink to purple……..var. nepalensis
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If Hypanthium (calyx Cup) 4–7 mm long……..1. Osbeckia chinensis
2. O. nutans

If Hypanthium 10–23 mm long:
Lamina 17–25 mm long………………………….. 3. O. capitata
Lamina 40–130 mm long:
Flowers 5-merous……………………………….      4. O. nepalensis
Flowers 4-merous………………………………..     5. O. stellata
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North Bengal flower ID Request 1 – 23May09:SJ :  Attachments (2). 9 posts by 5 authors.

thought I would continue the North Bengal series after a breather of a few days.
Here is the 1st post of the day – please confirm if it is Melastoma and if so which sp.
Many thanks for your help in anticipation.

May be Osbeckia nepalensis, a guess


My guess is Osbeckia species rather than Melastoma, Stamens appears to be equal, possibly O. nepalensis. Please check it at once, very few species of Osbeckia are found in Eastern parts of India. 


Thank you very much, … … had also mentioned the possibility when I had first posted this image over three years ago (see down). These images were taken on a mountain path at Lava.
I just googled both osbeckia and melastoma images. I am too untrained to be able to tell which one it is.


Osbeckia nepalensis of Melastomataceae


I am providing some key to identify this species——
Genus is Osbeckia—-correct (as stamen whorls are equal to subequal)—but in case of Melastoma, stamens whorls are unequal
Now coming to species—–
If Hypanthium (calyx Cup) 4–7 mm long……..1. Osbeckia chinensis
2. O. nutans
If Hypanthium 10–23 mm long:
Lamina 17–25 mm long………………………….. 3. O. capitata
Lamina 40–130 mm long:
Flowers 5-merous……………………………….      4. O. nepalensis
Flowers 4-merous………………………………..     5. O. stellata
Based on this key, I am sure, the species is Osbeckia nepalensis
Osbeckia nepalensis Hook.f., Exotic Fl.1: t. 31. 1823.
More Field identifying characters:
0.5 to 1 metre tall, erect. Stem 4-angled beset with strigose hairs. Lamina oblong-lanceolate (commonly) to ovate-lanceolate (rarely). Infl. terminal, a panicle of cymes, 5–8 cm long. Petals 5, pink, purple to white.
Again, O. nepalensis has 2 varieties based petal colour:—
Petal purely white……….var. albiflora
Petal pink to purple……..var. nepalensis

I am sure, the taxon is Osbeckia nepalensis var. nepalensis
Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, SW China, N Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam & Laos—–usually between 400 – 1900m altitudes.
But, var. albiflora repoted only from Nepal & China between 700–1600 m altitudes.
Now, I request the collector to match your specimen and identify it.



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Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. from Assam-Jan 2014 :  Attachments (5). 3 posts by 3 authors.
Attached images may be Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. from Assam. Please validate
Date :30.12.2013
Location: Kamrup district
Family : Melastomaceae
Genus & species : Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. (?)
Habitat: Grows wild on bank of the river, slopes of the hill etc
Habit :Shrub   

It must be a far more beautiful species as the flowering seems ending. A new plant to me.


efi page on Osbeckia nepalensis
Appears to be Osbeckia nepalensis as in North Bengal flower ID Request 1 – 23May09:SJ


/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/3._Osbeckia_nepalensis_Hook._IMG_8605.jpg/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/4._Osbeckia_nepalensis_Hook._IMG_8608.jpg/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/1._Osbeckia_nepalensis_Hook._IMG_8603.jpg/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2._Osbeckia_nepalensis_Hook._IMG_8609.jpgAgain Osbeckia nepalensis Hook from Assam KD 18 Jan 2015 : 4 posts by 3 authors. Attachments (5)

Attached images are Osbeckia nepalensis Hook
Date :23.01.2015
Location: Assam
Family : Melastomaceae
Genus & species : Osbeckia nepalensis Hook
Habitat: Grows wild on open space
Habit :Under shrub 

appreciate the picture of the entire plant and its neighbourhood


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Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. : 3 posts by 3 authors. Attachments (8)
Sharing some pictures of Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. shot on the way to Nagarkot Nepal on 13 August 2016 at 5000 ft.

Beautiful pics with full of information. Thanks for sharing



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Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. f. ?? : 4 posts by 3 authors. Attachments (6)

Location: Pashupati, Kathmndu, Nepal
Altitude:4400 ft.
Date: 16 October 2016

Osbeckia nepalensis as per the following reference: R.A. Clement in Grierson & D.G. Long, Fl. Bhutan 2(1): 295. 1991.



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Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. f. ?? : 7 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (9)

Location: Chautara, Nepal  
Date: 16 December 2017
Altitude: 5600 ft.

Nepali Names : सेतो चुल्सी  Seto Chulsee  / अर्बले Arbale  / गलफुले Galaphule / काली अँगेरी Kaali Angeree  / अँगेरी Angeree / सानो अँगेरीSaano Angeree / लाटे अँगेरी Laate Angereec  / चुवा  Chuwaa

To me also appear close to images at Osbeckia nepalensis



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Flower for Id – ID05122016SH1 : 5 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (1)
Flower for Id pl.
Location – Cherrapunji
Date – 17.10.2016

Melostma or Osbeckia species flowers among Mekania micrantha vine. Pl. Check the spellings.


Pl. check images at Melastoma malabathricum


To me appears more close to images at Osbeckia nepalensis


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I think you are right.



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Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. : 4 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (12) – around 500 kb each.
Location:  Dahachowk, Kathmandu, Nepal 
Date: 29 September 2018
Elevation: 5000 ft.
Habit : Wild 

Location:  Dahachowk, Switzerland Park, Kathmandu,,Nepal 
Date: 29 September 2018
Elevation: 5500 ft.
Habit : Wild  
Attachments (6)

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Osbeckia nepalensis var. albiflora Lindl.: 2 high res. images.

Location: Okharpauwa, Nuwakot, Nepal 
Date: 15 September 2023
Elevation: 1700 m.
Habit : Wild



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References:

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