Vern. Khip, Chapkia, Mahur-Ghas.

S.I. ALI

Shrub 1.8-2.5 m tall, young shoots pubescent, becoming glabrous with age. Peduncle 2 mm-2.5 cm, pubescent. Pedicel 2-3 mm long, covered with short brown silky hairs. Calyx c. 5 mm long, lobes almost reaching the base, linear oblong, densely hairy outside, glabrous within except near the tip. Corolla 5-7.5 mm long, villous outside, lobes as long as the tube, keeled and glabrous within. Corona of 10-lobed ring below the anthers. Follicles 7.5-12 cm x 5 mm, straight smooth. Seeds 2.5-3.8 mm long, dark brown, flat, coma 1.7-1.8 cm long.

Fl. Per.: March-April.

Type: “Described from Doab Hindustaniae”, Royle (K).

Distribution Kashmir (Jammu, Riasi), India (Uttar Pradesh).

The fibres of the stem are used for rope making and flower buds are eaten as vagetable.