Devil's Cotton/Ulat Kambal

Description:

Leaves are lanceolate type, flat. What caught my eye were these cup-like dark split open seed pods. The seedpods have cottony or feathery stuff at the centre. Quite attractive.

Habitat:

Kayaler bagan or Kayal's garden is now a bird sanctuary in the heart of Kolkata city. This plant was growing wild there. Although called a garden, it is not a landscaped area with only decorative garden varieties...rather everything growing wild is preserved.So old epi-phyte laden trees rub branches with bamboo groves and wild vines trail all over so called weeds flourish.

Notes:

Called Ulat kambal in Hindi which means Reverse(d) blanket.The leaves and stems are covered with soft bristly hairs that are very irritating to the touch. The bark yields a jute-like fiber perhaps that is why it is called Devil's cotton and we are instructed to turn the blanket inside out! Plant is medicinal.