The classical literature does not treat Punarnava as one thing. It distinguishes varieties, and the commonest distinction is by colour.
Rakta and Shveta
Rakta is red; shveta is white. Raktapunarnava is the red-flowered variety, and the texts also record Raktapushpa, red-flowered, and Aruna, reddish, pointing at the same thing.
Variety is not species
A classical variety name records how the tradition sorted plants it met in the field. It does not map cleanly onto modern species boundaries, and different commentators have identified the varieties differently, the same difficulty that Arjuna and Kakubha present.
What a label can settle
Only the botanical name. Punarnava Capsules state Boerhavia diffusa, which is the identification a colour word cannot supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Raktapunarnava?
The red variety of Punarnava in the classical texts.
Is there a white one?
The texts distinguish a shveta, white, variety as well.
Are they different species?
Classical varieties do not map neatly onto modern species.
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