Caesalpinia pulcherrima

• Botanical Name : Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L) Sw.
• Synonyms : Poinciana pulcherrima L.
• Common Name : Galtoro, Peacock Flower, Shankhasur
• Plant Family : Caesalpiniaceae
• Plant Form : Shrub
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25-28, 30
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Punit Van, Sarita Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra, Infocity

About Caesalpinia pulcherrima Plant :

• Habit : A small unarmed shrub.
• Bark : Greyish-brown and rough.
• Leaves : Bipinnately compound, stipulate, leaflets 8-12 pairs.
• Inflorescence : Big, erect racemes.
• Flowers :
  • Showy, red or yellow, complete, bisexual, pentamerous.
  • Calyx petaloid, deeply cleft.
  • Corolla petals unequal, clawed, yellow or red, imbricate.
  • Stamens 10 free, filaments long, petaloid.
  • Ovary flat, monocarpellary, ovules few, style filiform, stigma terminal.
• Fruit : Pods oblong, flat.
• Seeds : Obovate-oblong, smooth, glabrous.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : More or less throughout the year.
• Significance :
  • The plant is mainly grown in the gardens and road-side for its decorative appearance.
  • The leaves are used medicinally and are given as tonic and stimulant.
  • The roots are astringent and are given in cases of cholera.
  • The flowers are also useful in the treatment of bronchitis and asthama.