Herbal Garden (Muligai Vanam) Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera(L.) Dunal belongs to the family Solanaceae and is commonly known as Ashwagandha. This shrub is found inthe drier parts of India, Baluchistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Egypt. It grows widely throughout India particularly in hotter parts, on waste places and road sides. W.somifera is an erect branching, woolly pubescence shrub that grows to a height between 30 and 150 cm, branches extend radially from a central stem. Leaves are dull green, elliptic, up to 10-12 cm long and 2.5-5 cm wide. The flowers are green or yellow and become red in colour when it is mature. The fruits are fleshy and roots are cylindrical in shape.