Strobilanthes flaccidifolius, Strobilanthes cusia

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Impressively statured herbaceous shrub with thickened veins and bright pink flowers. Very showy and useful plant. The leaves contain 0.4 - 1.3% indican, which can be hydrolyzed and oxidized to produce the classic Blue Indigo Dye. A dark Blue dye is obtained from the twigs. It is combined with Turmeric (Curcuma longa) to make Green, and with Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) to make Purple. The source of famous dye Assam Indigo, it was formerly cultivated on quite a large scale as a dye plant in China and India. Fresh juice from the leaves is used on Okinawa Island, Japan as a popular remedy for athlete's foot.

See Article about this plant: Strobilanthes, Chinese Rain Bell - a source of Blue, Green, and Purple.

Similar plants:

• Strobilanthes anisophyllus (Strobilanthes)
• Strobilanthes dyerianus, Perilepta dyeriana (Persian Shield)
• Strobilanthes hamiltoniana, Diflugossa colorata, Strobilanthes colorata (Chinese Rain Bells, Temple Bells)
• Sympagis maculata, Strobilanthes maculatus (Green Shield)