Roscoea purpurea

Botanical Description

Roscoea purpurea is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a cluster of srems up to 30cm tall from a tuberous rootstock[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. The plant is an important medicinal herb in Ayurveda, where it is one of a group of eight plants, known collectively as 'Astavarga', that are valued for their tonic and rejuvenative properties. It is extensively harvested from the wild for local use and also for trade. The plant is also often grown as an ornamental.