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Lagerstroemia speciosa
Flowers on a tree in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, where it is locally called Jarul.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Lythraceae
Genus:	Lagerstroemia
Species:	L. speciosa
Binomial name
Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers.

Bark in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Lagerstroemia speciosa (Giant Crape-myrtle, Queen's Crape-myrtle, Banabá Plant, or Pride of India^[1]) is a species of Lagerstroemia native to tropical southern Asia.

Growth

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.[1]

Banaba Tea The leaves of the Banaba and other parts are used widely by the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan as a Tea preparation. This tea is consumed as a natural means for a variety of reasons involving the kidneys, such as dissolving kidney stones, kidney cleanses, and kidney health in general. Research being conducted in Japan shows much promise for this plant and its potential uses in the medical community.

Gallery

Fruit, leaves & Black Drongo in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Flowers & leaves in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Dried Fruits in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Dried Fruits in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Notes

References

1. Flora of Pakistan: Lagerstroemia speciosa
2. Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening 3: 10.
3. P. Campagna. Farmaci vegetali. Minerva Medica ed. Torino 2008

External links

• Lagerstromea speciosa page of Indiantreepix

From Wikispecies

Lagerstroemia speciosa

Taxonavigation

Classification System: APG II (down to family level)

Main Page
Cladus: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiospermae
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids I
Ordines: Unassigned Eurosids I
Cladus: Unassigned Rosids
Ordo: Myrtales
Familia: Lythraceae
Genus: Lagerstroemia
Species: Lagerstroemia speciosa

Name

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers.

References

• Syn. pl. 2(1):72. 1806
• USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. [1]

Vernacular names