On the Occurrence and Gregarious Flowering of Perilepta edgeworthiana (Nees) Brem. in Orissa.

The occurrence as well as the gregarious flowering of Perilepta edgeworthiana (Nees) Brem. syn. Strobilanthes auriculatus Nees var. edgeworthiana (Nees) C.B.CI. are recorded for the first time from southern Orissa and Orissa as a whole, respectively. The occurrence is interesting as earlier floristic workers were fairly certain that this species did not extend south of the Mahanadi. The last general flowering of this species was reported from the adjoining Bihar State in 1961-62. The present record of the 1967-68 gregarious flowering, therefore, confirms the 6-year flowering cycle for this "Strobilanthes". The systematic position of the taxon is discussed giving notes on its synonomy, description, distribution, economic aspects and distinction from allied species.