Putranjivaceae

Putranjivaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Lamiales. It is a small family, containing only two genera and about 10 species. The family is native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa.

The two genera in the family are Putranjiva and Spermacoce. Putranjiva is a monotypic genus, containing only one species, Putranjiva roxburghii, which is native to India and Sri Lanka. Spermacoce, on the other hand, is a larger genus, containing about nine species, which are native to Africa and Asia.

The family is characterized by its simple, entire leaves and small, white or pink flowers. The flowers are typically born in clusters and have a distinctive shape, with the lower lip being larger than the upper lip. The fruit is a capsule that contains many seeds.

Putranjivaceae is of interest to botanists due to its unique characteristics and its limited distribution. It is also of interest to traditional medicine practitioners, as some species in the family have been used in folk medicine for various ailments. However, more research is needed to fully understand the medicinal properties of these plants.

In cultivation, Putranjivaceae plants are not commonly grown, but they can be found in specialized collections or botanical gardens. They prefer well-drained soil and partial shade, and they are not particularly demanding in terms of care.