Dear all, 
 
attaching the photograph of Rotula aquatica Lour, Collected from Kannur, Kerala near Aralam Wildlife sanctuary
 
Rotula aquatica is a species of aromatic 
flowering shrub in the 
borage family, 
Boraginaceae. It is a rare 
rheophyte native to 
India, where it is a member of the 
lotic ecosystem of streams.
[1] The plant is a mandatory component of many 
ayurvedic drug preparations and is an important traditional medicine for 
kidney and 
bladder stones. The 
root tuber is 
astringent, 
bitter, 
diuretic and also useful in treating coughs, 
heart diseases, 
dysuria, blood disorders, 
fever, 
poisonings, 
ulcers and 
uterine diseases.
[2] Root 
decoctions are both diuretic and 
laxative and are used to treat bladder stones and 
sexually transmitted diseases.
[3] Plants were exploited for their medicinal properties by excavating the roots, causing them to die. (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotula_aquatica)
-regards
 
Manudev K Madhavan
Junior Research Fellow
Systematic & Floristic Lab,
Department of Botany, 
Centre for Postgraduate Studies & Research 
St. Joseph's College, Devagiri
Kozhikode- 673 008
Mob: 9496470738