Scientific name: Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw.
Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Synonym: Poinciana pulcherrima L.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Radhachura, Chotto-krishnachura.
Tribal name: Magato mini (Marma), Radhachura gas (Chakma), Rummoth-phang (Garo), Sen-ri-te-par (Lushai).
English name: Peacock flower, Paradise flower, Flower-fence, Dwarf poinciana.
Description of the plant: A shrub or small tree, 3-6 m tall, branches are armed with a few scattered spines. Leaves bipinnate, 4-8 pairs of pinnae. Leaflet are stalkles, 7-11 pairs, elliptic, 1-2 cm long. . Flowers are red and yellow, or yellow, borne on terminal, lax racemes, about 4 cm in diameter. Petals are crisped and clawed. Stamens are long-exserted. Pod is nearly straight, flat, smooth, 5-9 cm long, containing 6 to 8 seeds.
Plant parts used: Leaf, bark, flower, and root.
Ethnomedicinal uses: Decoction of flower is used in sores, erysipelas, and inflammation of the eyes.
A fresh juice is extracted from the roots of the plant is taken twice a day (20 ml amount each time) for seven days to treat dysuria.
A decoction is made with the leaves of the plant is used for liver affections and as mouth wash and gargle for mouth and throat ulcers.
The leaves of the plant are used to treat malaria, bronchitis, fever, jaundice, colic, flatulence, and malignant tumours.
Infusion is made with the bark of the plant is used for gargling thrice a day until the gingivitis is cured.
The seeds of the plant are used for the treatment of cough, chest pain, breathing difficulty.
Decoction of roots used for intermittent fever.
The fruits of the plant are used to treat diarrhoea, and dysentery.
Distribution: This species is planted throughout the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
