Distribution
Delonix regia is endemic to Madagascar's dry deciduous forests, but has been introduced
into tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. In the wild it is endangered, but it
is widely cultivated elsewhere and is regarded as naturalised in many of the locations
where it is grown.
Plant Description
The flowers of Delonix regia are large, with four spreading scarlet or orange-red
petals up to 8 cm (3 in) long, and a fifth upright petal called the standard, which
is slightly larger and spotted with yellow and white. They appear in corymbs along
and at the ends of branches. The naturally occurring variety flavida (Bengali:
Radhachura) has yellow flowers. The pods are green and flaccid when young, then turn
dark-brown and woody as they mature. They can be up to 60 cm (24 in) long and 5 cm
(2 in) wide. The seeds are small, weighing around 0.4 grams (6.2 grains) on average.
The compound (doubly pinnate) leaves have a feathery appearance and are a
characteristic light, bright green. Each leaf is 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long with 20 to
40 pairs of primary leaflets or pinnae, each divided into 10–20 pairs of secondary
leaflets or pinnules. Pollen grains are elongated, approximately 52 µm in
size.[citation needed]
Active constituent of Gulmohar
| Parts Used |
Chemical Constituents |
Uses |
|
Leaves
|
Benzenetriol, lupeol
|
Anti-diabetic, gastric problem
|
|
Vitamin E
|
Body pain, rheumatic joints pain
|
|
Seed
|
Lectin, Fatty acid
|
antiviral
|
|
Protein and free amino acid
|
Insect repellant
|
|
Flowers
|
Proteins, carbohydrates, phenols
|
Anthelmintic, insecticidal
|
|
Fruits
|
Activated carbon
|
Healthcare
|
|
Barks
|
Saponins, alkaloids
|
Antiperiodic
|
|
Carotene, flavonoids
|
Febrifuge
|
|
Gulmohar oil
|
Linoleic acid, linolenic acid
|
Malaria, diabetes
|
Uses
-
The Gulmohar tree is gifted with many medicinal properties. It can be used as an
antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant,
antimalarial, gastro-protective, and cardio-protective along with wound healing
properties.
-
The Gulmohar tree leaves are anti-diabetic. The methanol extract of these leaves
is used to reduce the glucose level in the blood.
- The Gulmohar tree leaves have potential hepatoprotection.
- The leaves of the plants have anti-diarrheal properties.
- It has flavonoid that helps to protect the health of the liver.
- The essential oil extracted from the leaves of Gulmohar trees has antifungal
properties.
- In ancient and folk medicine, the plant is used to cure many physical conditions
such as constipation, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, diabetes, malaria, and
pneumonia.
- This plant is used for soil rehabilitation.
- It can also help to fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Commercial Use:
1. The wood of the Gulmohar plant is used as fuel. The calorific value of this
wood is 4600kcal/kg.
2. The flowers of Gulmohar are used to feed the bee in bee cultivation.
3. This plant produces thick gum which is water-soluble. This natural gum is
used as the binding agent for the furniture manufacturing and textile
industry.
4. From the seeds, we get Pangam Oil which is very useful in the tanning
industry.
5. The hard and elongated seeds of the Gulmohar plant are often used as beads to
make jewelry.
Prepared by : Purva Aanjana
Checked by : Ms. Roshani Khan
Verified by : Dr. Mahavir Chhajed
