Marikozhundhu - Flower
(also spelled Marikolunthu ) is one of the most beloved aromatic herbs in South India, celebrated for its sweet, fruity fragrance and deep cultural roots . While it is often called "Marjoram" in English, it most accurately refers to Davana ( Artemisia pallens ), a small, silvery-grey herb that has been a staple in Indian temples and traditional medicine for centuries. A Profile of the Plant
| Feature | Marikozhundhu (double-petal) | Single-petal Clitoria | Aparajita (North Indian name) | |--------|-------------------------------|-------------------------|----------------------------------| | Petals | Many, rosette-like | 5 (standard, wings, keel) | Usually single | | Fertility | Sterile | Fertile | Fertile | | Seed pods | Absent | Present | Present | | Religious use | High (Tamil Murugan temples) | Less common | Used in Bengal for Kali puja | marikozhundhu flower
The Marikozhundhu flower is a distinct double-petal chemotype of Clitoria ternatea , uniquely embedded in Tamil religious practice and Siddha medicine. Its sterility makes it a horticultural oddity, while its rich anthocyanin profile and cognitive effects invite further pharmaceutical research. Future work should focus on molecular barcoding to separate the double form from single-petal ecotypes, and on sustainable propagation methods. (also spelled Marikolunthu ) is one of the