Chandigarh Forests
Department of Forest & Wildlife
UT Administration
Chandigarh
Department of Forest & Wildlife
|
Division
|
Angiosperms |
|
Class
|
Dicotledons |
|
Subclass |
Gamopetalae |
|
Series |
Hypogynae |
|
Order |
Polemoniales |
|
Family
|
Bignoniaceae |
|
Genus
|
Tecoma |
|
Species
|
Stans |
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Etymology: |
Abbreviated from the Mexican name tecomaxochitl, which means vessel-flower; in allusion to the large cup-shaped or trumpet shaped flowers. |
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Botanical name:
|
Tecoma Stans (Linn.) Juss. ex Kunth. |
|
Local/Trade Names: |
Yellow Bel |
|
Conservation status: |
Commonly found in gardens. Naturalized in many part of Himachal Pradesh. |
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Digonestic features: |
Leaves serrate; flowers golden. |
|
Description: |
A large shrub or small tree. Leaves decussate, imparipinnate, 15-25 cm long; leaflets 5-11, 7.5-10 x 1.8-4 cm, terminal largest, lanceolate, acuminate, sharply serrate. Flowers golden-yellow, 3.5-5 cm long, in terminal pubescent panicles or racemes. Fruit a capsule, 15-23 cm long, linear, compressed. |
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Phenology: |
Fls.: Winter |
|
Distribution: |
South Florida to W. Indies and S. America. |
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Where to see it: |
Medicinal Plant Garden. |
|
Uses: |
Roots are a powerful diuretic and vermifuge and tonic. Leaves contain alkaloids tecomine and tecostanine which are potent hypoglycaemic agents when given intravenously. Seeds contain a fatty oil. |
