Trees of Odisha: Lagerstroemia speciosa
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Local Name -ପାଟୁଲି | ( Patuli)
In this article
Botanical Overview :
Scientific name: Lagerstroemia speciosa (Family: Lythraceae)
Common name: Pride of India, Queen’s Crape-Myrtle, Giant Crape-Myrtle, Jarul, Queen’s Flower.
Native to: Tropical and subtropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Southeast Asia (Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia), parts of China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.
Height: Usually grows as a small to medium tree. Typical mature height is about 10–15 m. In some accounts, it can reach up to 40 m or more under ideal conditions
Leaves: Leaves are simple, opposite (or nearly opposite), entire (without lobes), elliptic to oblong-ovate in shape. They have a smooth (glabrous), leathery texture with prominent veins on the underside.
Flowers in the Lagerstroemia speciosa patuli
Type: Flowers are borne in large terminal or axillary panicles (dense clusters) at the ends of branches.
Size: Each flower is relatively large; petals are somewhat crinkled/wrinkled, resembling crepe paper.
Color: Flowers typically appear in shades of pink to purple (mauve, lilac), sometimes pale or fading shades; from pinkish-purple to lighter tones.
Unique features:
The petals are crinkled / crepe-like (hence "crape myrtle"), and the central portion has numerous stamens, often giving a fluffy or feathery appearance.
Fruits in Patuli
Shape & size: The fruits are woody capsules (like ellipsoid to sub-globose / spherical capsules).
Color: Fruits eventually start with a green colour,and then as they mature they turn to a brown colour and eventually become darker (brown to brown-black) as they dry.
Seeds: When the capsule dries, it splits open (dehiscent) or into multiple segments (often 5–6), releasing many small seeds. The seeds are often described as triangular or flattened with apical wings (winged seeds), that are dispersed usually by wind.
Maturation: Flowering generally begins when the tree is about 3–5 years old. The main flowering season is often April–June (some variation depending on locale), sometimes with another flush later. The fruits mature and capsules appear after flowering.
Reaction: The woody capsule dries and splits open naturally when mature to release seeds.
Dispersal: Seeds are dispersed through the wind due to their winged structure, allowing them to spread away from the parent tree.
Pollination in Lagerstroemia speciosa
Pollinators: The showy flowers with many stamens attract insects; large bees have been cited among the pollinators
Human Uses
Ornamental use: Widely planted as an ornamental and street tree, in gardens, parks, and along roadsides, and is also prized for its abundant, vibrant flowers and attractive form.
Traditional medicine: Various parts of the tree (leaves, bark, fruit) have been used in traditional and folk medicine. Leaves (dried or as tea) are used for managing diabetes / lowering blood sugar; in some regions, bark is used for abdominal pains or diarrhea; fruits, bark, or roots for other ailments. Some modern studies also report pharmacological activities: antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory.
Craft use: The wood (often called “pyinma”) is considered moderately hard, durable, termite-resistant, and is used for medium to heavy construction, furniture, paneling, paddles, agricultural tools, flooring (parquet), firewood, etc.
Cultural & Religious Significance of Lagerstroemia speciosa patuli
India & Sri Lanka: In India, L. speciosa is among the commonly planted ornamental / avenue trees. It is also recognized as the “state flower” of the state of Maharashtra under the name “Pride of India.”
Buddhism:
Some ethnobotanical accounts (outside strictly scientific literature) mention that in parts of Southeast Asia, the tree is associated with traditional beliefs. For instance, in some Theravada Buddhist traditions, the species is said to have been used as a “Bodhi-tree” by certain Buddhas (in particular lineages of Buddhas in Buddhist cosmology). However, this appears in cultural/folk writing rather than rigorous historical texts, and its acceptance may vary by region.
Where do I find it?
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