Thematic Photographic – Blue

A beautiful photo of a beautiful flower.

That is Kakkapoo(meaning Crow flower) in Malayalam.The flower shown here is that of Torenia travancorica (Scrophulariaceae ) which is really endemic.( Earlier it was named T.asiatica.) This is a prostrate annual herb, stems creeping and rooting at the nodes. The upper lip of the corolla is violet and the lower lip three lobed, light bluish purple with light violet tips. And the throat is yellow.This plant is described in Hortus Malabaricus (meaning Garden of Malabar) published from Amsterdam during 1678-1693. The plant is named after Olaf Toren, a Swedish clergyman,who lived in the 1700s.

There is another species very common in gardens.It is Torenia bicolour (Scrophulariaceae), an annual herb, growing erect 40 to 60 cms high with many branches. This is an exotic plant brought to India by the colonial gardeners. It is widely distributed in India now, thanks to horticulturists who have created new varieties (hybrids) with different coloured flowers which you can see in many gardens. The upper lip of the corolla is bluish purple and notched like a wish bone( hence some people call it blue wings yet others wishbone flower). The lower lip is three lobed and violet with an yellow throat and an yellow patch like a tongue. Some name this plant Torenia fournieri,which according to other authorities is a different one with light purple upper lip.
What ever the names, Torenias are really beautiful and can be grown in pots or hanging baskets.They flower profusely if you care them.

I can post an image of T.bicolour, if you wish so.

Statutory Warning : I am not a qualified Biologist. I have stated what I have learned as a nature lover. Taxonomists may differ (naturally!)