Strobilanthes reptans (Introduced)

Strobilanthes reptans (G. Forst.) Moylan ex Y. F. Deng & J. R. I. Wood, Fl. China 19: 390–391 2011. (syn: Hemigraphis acaulis Bremek.; Hemigraphis batantensis Bremek.; Hemigraphis cardiophylla Quisumb.; Hemigraphis chamaedrys Bremek.; Hemigraphis diffusa Bremek.; Hemigraphis keiensis Bremek.; Hemigraphis lamiifolia Bremek.; Hemigraphis lanaensis Bremek.; Hemigraphis nemorosa (Zoll. & Moritzi) Boerl.; Hemigraphis oblongifolia Merr.; Hemigraphis pacifica Hosok.; Hemigraphis parabolica (Nees) Fern.-Vill.; Hemigraphis parvifolia Bremek.; Hemigraphis physalifolia Bremek.; Hemigraphis polillensis Bremek.; Hemigraphis primulifolia (Nees) Fern.-Vill.; Hemigraphis rapifera Hallier f. ex Koord.; Hemigraphis reptans (G.Forst.) T.Anderson ex Hemsl.; Hemigraphis robinsonii Bremek.; Hemigraphis saxicola Bremek.; Hemigraphis solomonensis Bremek.; Hemigraphis sorongensis Bremek.; Hemigraphis sublobata Elmer; Hemigraphis suborbicularis S.Moore; Hemigraphis tayabensis Bremek.; Hemigraphis undulata Bremek.; Hemigraphis villosa Bremek.; Hemigraphis waigeensis Bremek.; Ruellia humifusa Pers.; Ruellia nemorosa Zoll. & Moritzi; Ruellia parabolica Nees; Ruellia primulifolia Nees; Ruellia reptans G.Forst.; Strobilanthes primulifolia (Nees) Y.F.Deng & J.R.I.Wood; Strobilanthes tawadana Ohwi);
.
Tropical & Subtropical Asia to W. Pacific: Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Caroline Is., Gilbert Is., Jawa, Malaya, Maluku, Marianas, Marshall Is., Nansei-shoto, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Philippines, Queensland, Solomon Is., Sulawesi, Taiwan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu; Introduced into: Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Marquesas, Puerto Rico, Society Is., Tubuai Is. as per POWO;
.

Requesting a herb ID (15112021): 2 high res. images.
Habit- Herb
Found growing on rock crevices and stair intersection.
The flower is mauve- pink, the leaves are purple- green.

Hemigraphis sp

Appears close to images at Strobilanthes alternata (Burm. f.) E. Moylan ex J. R. I. Wood

Definitely not Stroblanthes alternata which rarely, if ever, flowers. Could it be a species of Staurogyne? I can’t tell from the photo. Where was it found?

It is from Kerala in South India.

This is Strobilanthes reptans I think. There was a paper appeared in Rheedea June 2021 on its first report from India. It is seen as a garden weed in Kerala especially in pots of other exotics plants imported from Malesia.

.

767 ID wild plant: 12 high res. images.
Please ID wild plant,
Location: Kottayam Kerala INDIA

Altitude: 10fsl

Flower date: 15FEB2026, 12.10pm

Habitat: wild moisture sloppy roadside

Plant habit: small erect unbranched rosette herb, weak cylindrical hairy purplish stem 03.5mm base diameter, annual

Height: 15cm

Leaves: opposite clustered elliptical acute soft hairy; purplish abaxial, size upto: 09×04cm

Flower: terminal spike inflorescence, violet, fragrant, diameter:09mm

Fruit: capsule green into brown ovoid ridges size:11x03mm

Seed:

Strobilanthes hirta (Vahl) Blume

Yes, it is Strobilanthes hirta, dear …, thank you very much for ID my plant

In my opinion it is Strobilanthes reptans (G.Forst.) Moylan ex Y.F.Deng & J.R.I.Wood.

This species has also been reported from Arunachal pradesh.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352931844_Strobilanthes_reptans_Acanthaceae_a_new_addition_to_the_flora_of_India

Thank you!

Yes, it is, dear …, it is very close to Strobilanthes reptans, thank you very much for ID my plant,

Has it got distribution ?

I did not find it.

Yes, Strobilanthes reptans was introduced, and now it is very common in Kerala.

.
References:
POWO Catalogue of Life The Plant List Ver.1.1 Tropicos IPNI GBIF (High resolution specimens) High resolution specimen Flora of China FOC illustration Wikipedia Flora fauna web
Strobilanthes reptans (Acanthaceae): a new addition to the flora of India– Sarma J., Barbhuiya H.A., Dey S. & C.K. Salunkhe– June 2021 Rheedea 31(2):58-61

Updated on June 11, 2026