Acanthaceae

 Acanthus Family

Strobilanthes penstemonoides var. penstemonoides 

(Wall. ex-Nees) T. Anderson

Nepali: Gathe or Kebu

Beautiful blue flowers grow in glabrous clusters at the ends of long stems. The leaves are longer oval and not deeply notched. They are commonly found in central Nepal. On Phulchowki they were growing along the road starting at 1800m up to 2500m. They were growing in large clusters. They flowered beginning in August through October. There is a good description and discussion on the characteristics of this species at https://sites.google.com/site/efloraofindia/species/a---l/a/acanthaceae/strobilanthes/strobilanthes-penstemonoides

Strobilanthes attenuata

(Nees) Nees

Nepali: Gathe or Kebu

A very attractive plant grows next to the road starting at 1600m up to 2500m. The deep blue-colored tubular flowers grow in clusters at the ends of long erect stems. The plants grow in large clumps with long ovate toothed leaves. They flowered beginning in July through October.

Strobilanthes lachenensis C.B. Clarke.

Hairy Strobilanthes

Nepali: Jaro Bhute or Angaare

The characteristic hairy corolla at the base of the pale purple flower is the key to its identity. It grows in the same locations as other Strobilanthes on Phulchowki. It was blooming in August and September. It is commonly seen from 2000m up to 3000m.

Strobilanthes nutans (Nees) T. Anderson

Nutan's Coneflower

Nepali:

A tubular white flower growing from a pendulous stalk. The white flowers are covered with fine hair. The plant is found in clusters with several flowering stalks. The location was 2300m on a south-facing slope east of Phulchowki Peak on the Khanigaun trail. It has also been found on the Shiva Puri side of the valley.