Pouzolzia bennettiana (including all varieties)

Gonostegia bennettiana (Wight) Pusalkar & Ingle, Fl. India 24: 82 (2022) (syn: Hyrtanandra hirta var. bennettiana (Wight) Thwaites ; Memorialis hispida var. bennettiana (Wight) Wedd. ; Pouzolzia bennettiana Wight ) as per POWO;
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India, Sri Lanka, Assam as per POWO;
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FOR VALIDATION :: ¿ Gonostegia bennettiana var. longifolia (Wight) Pusalkar & Ingle ? :: The Nilgiris :: Jan 28, 2026 · 4:31 PM IST: 11 images.

FOR VALIDATION ::
¿ Gonostegia bennettiana var. longifolia (Wight) Pusalkar & Ingle ?
The Nilgiris :: Jan 28, 2026 · 4:31 PM IST
Maditerai, about 2271 m asl


Gonostegia hirta (Hassk.) Miq.


I had done some study / checking on the internet.
Let me copy-paste whatever information I had collected here.
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Distinct differences between Gonostegia bennettiana var. longifolia VERSUS Gonostegia hirta
While Gonostegia bennettiana var. longifolia and Gonostegia hirta (Hairy Pouzolz’s Bush) are related, they are visually and structurally distinct species within the same genus.
Visual Comparison
Feature G. bennettiana var. longifolia G. hirta
Stem Shape Generally cylindrical or slightly angled. Distinctly 4-angled towards the tip.
Leaf Base Usually tapering (attenuate) or rounded. Heart-shaped (cordate) or rounded.
Leaf Veins Primarily 3-veined from the base. Can be 3- or 5-veined from the base.
Leaf Texture Membranous and minutely hairy (puberulous). Herbaceous or thinly papery; upper surface is often bristly.
Growth Habit Prostrate, creeping herb. Prostrate to sub-erect, often longer (up to 100 cm).
Key Identification Differences
  • The Stem: If you see a sharp, 4-angled stem near the top, it is almost certainly G. hirta. G. bennettiana stems are typically more rounded.
  • The Leaf Base: Look at where the leaf meets the stalk. G. hirta leaves often “hug” the stem with a heart-shaped base, whereas var. longifolia leaves tend to be more slender and tapered at both ends.
  • The Hair: G. hirta has a “rougher” feel due to its bristly hairs, giving it the common name “Hairy Pouzolz’s Bush”.
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Images of G. hirta
POWO :: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:854128-1/images … There are mixed images of 5-vein as well as 3-vein leaves, and leaves differ.
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/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kodai%20121.jpg

Plant for id 241210MK1:
Please help to id this subshrub found at Kodaikanal. I have not seen any flowers of this.

Date/Time-

06-11-2010 / 11:20 AM

Location- Place, Altitude, GP

ca.2200asl; Kodaikanal, TN

Habitat- Garden/ Urban/ Wild/ Type-

wild; near water stream

Plant Habit-

sub shrub

Height/Length-

ca. 1 M

Leaves Type/ Shape/ Size-

10 x 3 cm

Inflorescence Type/ Size-

not observed

Plant belonging to the family Melastomataceae ??


leaves tells so.


Could this be a species of Pouzolzia (Urticaceae) ????


Or a Pilea sp. from the same family?


It is Melastomaceae.
but express inabilities to identify genus without flower.
but guess may be Osbeckia or Melastoma


I agree with …
The leaves here seem to be ternate. So my guess is Osbeckia stellata.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jim-sf/4041075057/in/photostream/
http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=94686&flora_id=2
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/267635/


To me it looks like Pouzolzia bennettiana a very variable species.


Yes Sir, this is Pouzolzia bennettiana, rightly said by …


Picture or information about the flower could be helpful in confirming the id.


I think this species is Melastoma malabathricum L., common in hills of Peninsular India and NE. India.
I could also be a species of Osbeckia.
For confirmation of the genus, we need to know the nature of stamens. In Melastoma the stamens are unequal in size, whereas in Osbeckia the stamens are equal in size.
Further fruits burst irregularly in Melastoma and open by pores at apex in Osbeckia.


Sorry, this is Pouzolzia (Urticaceae) species. This is edible herb in Arunachal and parts of Assam.


This is another plant which has been a subject of considerable speculation, with some members suggesting it to be a member Melastomataceae (Melastoma or Osbeckia), others suggesting it as Poulzolzia. In absence of flowers it becomes difficult, and the leaves look pretty close to both, but Melastomataceae clearly excluded as stipules are clearly seen, not seen in this family.
To me this plant again appears Poulzolzia hirta. This agrees with …, who identified it with P. bennettiana, now considered as synonym of P. hirta var. hirta.

I agree with … as this is Pouzolzia and Poulzolzia hirta is a possible id, I think. This species seems to show variation from place to place.http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=242341238


I am sorry for the very late reply. This shrub was not flowering at that time of photography (November). If I visit the place again, I shall notice the flower and anthers too. This plant seems very much erect and only a revisit could solve the identity. Many thanks for all.


Gonostegia hirta (Blume) Miq.


 

 


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References:
POWO  Flora of peninsular India  India Flora Online

Updated on March 12, 2026

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