🌸

December

Barleria Cristata,Barleria prioniti

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameDecember

DescriptionAttractive evergreen shrub featuring tubular flowers with distinctive crested or spiny bracts, blooming nearly year-round in tropical climates with peak flowering in winter months (hence 'December'). Flowers appear in shades of purple, blue, violet, pink, white, and yellow, arranged in terminal or axillary clusters. Popular hedge and border plant in tropical and subtropical gardens, valued for continuous blooms, low maintenance, and traditional medicinal uses in Ayurvedic and folk medicine.

FamilyAcanthaceae

GenusBarleria

TribeBarlerieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr % ⚥ K(5) C(5) A4 G(2)

Ebracteate (though has large leaf-like bracts), bilaterally symmetrical (zygomorphic), bisexual, 5 fused sepals, 5 fused petals forming two-lipped tube (4 upper lobes + 1 lower lobe), 4 stamens in 2 pairs (didynamous), 2 fused carpels with superior ovary

Features

Named after French botanist Jacques Barrelier (1606-1673). 'Cristata' from Latin 'crested' for distinctive crested bracts. 'Prionitis' means 'saw-toothed' for spiny bracts. Common name 'December' for winter blooming peak. 'Philippine Violet' for violet-blue flowers and Philippine origin. About 300 Barleria species worldwide
Flowers 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long, tubular with 5-lobed corolla (4 lobes forming upper lip, 1 forming lower lip). Colors include purple, blue, violet, pink, white, and yellow. Distinctive feature is 4 large, leaf-like bracts (often spiny in B. prionitis, crested in B. cristata) surrounding flowers. Blooms in terminal or axillary clusters
Evergreen perennial shrub that blooms nearly year-round in tropical climates, with peak flowering in winter (December-February). In subtropical areas, blooms spring through fall. Fast-growing, reaching mature size in 2-3 years. Can be pruned as hedge or grown as specimen plant
Grows 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) tall and wide, some species to 6 feet. Bushy, dense growth habit. Lifespan of many years (10-15+). Propagated easily from semi-hardwood cuttings (root in 2-3 weeks), seeds, or layering. Responds well to pruning
Native to tropical Asia including India, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, and southern China. B. cristata from India and Myanmar; B. prionitis from India and Southeast Asia. Found in tropical forests, scrublands, and disturbed areas. Widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
Thrives in full sun to partial shade (blooms best in sun). Adapts to various well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established but blooms better with regular water. Tolerates heat and humidity. Frost tender (damaged below 32°F/0°C). Prune after flowering to maintain shape
Popular hedge, border, and foundation plant in tropical gardens. Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine—leaves and roots for fever, cough, toothache, and inflammation. B. prionitis used for jaundice and respiratory ailments. Low maintenance and pest-resistant. Can become weedy in some tropical areas

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificBarleria Cristata,Barleria prioniti

English (Alternate)Bluebell Barleria, Porcupine, Philippine violet, Crested Philippine Violet

Hindi वज्रदंती (Vajradanti), झिण्टी (Jhinti), नील झिण्टी (Nil Jhinti)

Tamilகட்டுக் கொடி (Kattu Kodi), செம்முள்ளி (Semmulli), சுள்ளி (Sulli), டிசம்பர் பூ(December Poo), ஊதா முள்ளி(Utha Mulli)

Teluguడిసెంబరం పూలు (Decembaralu), ముల్లుగోరింట (Mullugorinta)

Malayalamകരിംകുറിഞ്ഞി (Karimkurunni), മഞ്ഞക്കനകാംബരം (Manjakk anakambaram), കുട്ടിവെറ്റില (Kuttivetila), ചെമ്മുള്ള് (Chemmulli)

Kannadaಸ್ಫಟಿಕ (Spatika), ಗೊರಟೆ (Gorate), ಹಳದಿ ಗೊರಟೆ (Haladi Gorate), ಮುಳ್ಳು ಗೊರಂಟೆ (Mullu Gorante), ಕುರಂಟಕ (Kurantaka)

Sanskritकुरंटक (Kurantaka), वज्रदंती (Vajradanti), सहचर (Sahachara)

Bengaliঝিন্টি (Jhinti), কণ্টঝিন্টি (Kanta Jhinti), পীতঝিন্টি (Pita Jhinti)

FrenchBarleria

Russian Барлерия прионтис (Barleriya priontis), Барлерия гребенчатая (Barleriya grebenchataya)

Spanishespinosa amarilla

GermanBarleria, Stachelschweinblume, Philippinenveilchen

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.