Caesalpinia pulcherrima

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

  • 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.