Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers.
Family: Lythraceae
Common names: Pride of India, Queen’s Crape Myrtle, Giant Crape Myrtle
Vernacular/Local name: Tamhan
Diagnostic characters: Large deciduous tree with smooth to slightly flaky bark. Leaves leathery, turning red before falling. Flowers large, showy, crinkled, rose-purple to mauve, borne in long terminal panicles. Calyx tube persistent, ribbed. Fruit a globose, woody capsule, dehiscent with many winged seeds.
Phenology: March – September
Etymology: The genus Lagerstroemia was named by Linnaeus in honor of his friend Magnus von Lagerström, a Swedish merchant and naturalist. The species name speciosa means “showy†or “beautiful,†referring to the striking flowers.
Uses:
- Widely planted as an avenue and garden tree for its attractive flowers and foliage.
- Leaves used in traditional medicine for diabetes (contain corosolic acid, known to regulate blood sugar).
- Decoction of leaves and bark used for diarrhoea, fever, and as a purgative.
- Seeds used as a sedative and to relieve abdominal pain.
- Wood is hard and durable, used for furniture, construction, and implements.
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