Lagerstroemia speciosa

Taxobox
name = "Lagerstroemia speciosa"


image_caption= Flowers on a tree in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, where it is locally called "Jarul".
image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Lythraceae
genus = "Lagerstroemia"
species = "L. speciosa"
binomial = "Lagerstroemia speciosa"
binomial_authority = (L.) Pers.

"Lagerstroemia speciosa" (Giant Crape-myrtle, Queen's Crape-myrtle, Banabá Plant, or Pride of India [" [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LASP Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. pride of India] ." PLANTS Profile, United States Department of Agriculture / Natural Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved 2008-07-15.] ) is a species of "Lagerstroemia" native to tropical southern Asia. It is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 20 m tall, with smooth, flaky bark. The leaves are deciduous, oval to elliptic, 8-15 cm long and 3-7 cm broad, with an acute apex. The flowers are produced in erect panicles 20-40 cm long, each flower with six white to purple petals 2-3.5 cm long.

Cultivation and uses

It is grown in South East Asia, India and the Philippines.

It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas.

Banaba extract is used as a natural health supplement and is made from the leaves of the banaba tree. Some research suggests that banaba extract may support blood sugar balance and weight loss. The primary active ingredient is corosolic acid, and there are also numerous possible synergists including lager-stroemin, flosin B and reginin A. [http://www.smart-publications.com/weight_loss/banaba_extract.php]

Notes

References

* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=117489 Flora of Pakistan: "Lagerstroemia speciosa"]
*Huxley, A., ed. (1992). "New RHS Dictionary of Gardening" 3: 10.
*P. Campagna. Farmaci vegetali. Minerva Medica ed. Torino 2008

External links

* [http://groups.google.com/group/indiantreepix/browse_thread/thread/5f4d72153bf39caf/ Lagerstromea speciosa page of Indiantreepix]

Gallery