Justicia adhatoda | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Acanthaceae |
Genus: | Justicia |
Species: | J. adhatoda
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Binomial name | |
Justicia adhatoda | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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Justicia adhatoda commonly known in English as Malabar nut, adulsa, adhatoda, vasa, vasaka,[3][4] is native to Asia.[5] Adathoda means 'untouched by goats' in Tamil. The name derives from the fact that animals like goats do not eat this plant due to its extreme bitter taste.[citation needed]
The plant's native range is Afghanistan, the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka), Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. It has been introduced elsewhere.[6]