Velvety Beauty Berry
Scientific name
Callicarpa tomentosa,
English Name
Velvety Beauty Berry
Malayalam name
നായ്ക്കുമ്പിൾ
Common name
Great Woolly Malayan Lilac
Description
- Habit : Shrub
- Habitat : prefers well-drained, moist soils rich in organic matter
- Leaves : Simple, opposite leaves featuring a densely white, velvety, and woolly underside
- Flowers : Clusters of small, stalkless, pinkish-purple flowers arranged in branched cymes that bloom throughout the year.
- Fruits : A tiny, round, shining black drupe containing 3 to 4 seeds
Uses
Wound healing, Skin infections
Parts used
Leaves, bark, roots, flowers, and fruits
How to use
- Wound Healing: Fresh leaf paste is applied directly to clean wounds, sores, and boils.
- Skin Conditions: Relieves itching, eczema, and localized swellings.
Conservation
Propagation & Cultivation
To propagate Callicarpa tomentosa, take 10–15 cm semi-hardwood cuttings during the monsoon or early spring. Strip the bottom leaves from the stem, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and plant it in a moist sand-compost mix. Alternatively, clean the pulp off ripe black seeds and sow them gently about 0.5 cm deep into a seedling tray. Place your new plants in a warm spot with bright, indirect sunlight and high humidity until sturdy roots or sprouts develop.