Peristrophe
(from peristrophe, turning round; in reference to the corolla, which is twisted so as to be upside down). ORD. Acanthaceae. A genus comprising about fifteen species of erect or loosely sub-twiggy herbs, inhabiting tropical and Southern Africa, Madagascar, the East Indies, China, and the Malayan Archipelago. Flowers generally purple; heads often pedicellate, loosely cymose; bracts two, sub-connate at base; calyx shorter than the bracts. Leaves entire. The species here described are stove perennials, and are those usually seen under cultivation. For culture, see Justicia.
P. lanceolaria (lance-leaved). fl. in terminal, much-branched panicles; corolla pale purple, with a long, slender tube, which is compressed and slightly twisted at apex; upper lip pale purple-white, 1in. long. Winter. l. 3in. to 5in. long, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, long-acuminate, attenuated into the petiole, glabrous on both surfaces. h. 2ft. to 4ft. India. (B. M. 5566.) P. speciosa (showy).* fl., corolla externally pubescent, with a very long, curved, remarkably twisted, pale purplish tube; lips two, elliptical-oblong, both of a deep, rich carmine-purple. Winter. l. opposite, petiolate, ovate, somewhat acuminated, the lower and larger ones sub-cordate and slightly crenate. Stem and old branches ash-colour. h. 4ft. India, 1826. (B. 74; B. M. 2722; L. B. C. 1915, under name of Justicia speciosa.)