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Poinciana- the Pride of Barbados


Krishna Choora- Red Variant of Poinciana
Radha Choora- yellow variant of Poinciana
Scientific name: Caesalpinia pulcherrima or Poinciana pulcherrima
IUCN: Least Concern
One of the most common ornamental flowers which shares similarities with Gul Mohr in both flowers and leaves is Poinciana also called Mexican Bird of Paradise or the Peacock flower.
It belongs to the Family of Legumes and it's Genus is named after an Italian Botanist Andrea Cesalpini.
While Gul Mohr is a tree, it is a shrub.
Gul Mohr- a tree
Poinciana- a shrub
It is the national flower of Barbados, hence called the Barbados Pride. It is depicted in the national symbol of Barbados and in the Queen Elizabeth’s personal Barbadian Flag.
National Emblem of Barbados- Coat of arms

Elizabeth's Personal Barbadian Flag
It  is usually in two colors- yellow or orange-red. These color variants are called Krishna Choora (Red) and Radha Choora (yellow) in local parlance.
Irrespective of its color it is called Ratnagandhi in Sanskrit.
Krishna Choora-Red Variant of Poinciana


Radha Choora-the yellow variant of Poinciana
Its native country is Argentina. But some attribute it to West Indies.
Raising to about 10feet and branching low to form an open, spreading bush, it has clear green feathery foliage throughout the year with broad spires of blossoms.
Young branches are smooth and green. Old branches have stout prickles.
Large sprays of flowers appear at the ends of the branches. Egg shaped buds and open flowers are all borne on long, slim stems.
In red variety, the flowers are first vermilion edged and streaked with deep yellow. Later they become entirely red.
Of the five spoon shaped petals, one is smallest and shaped differently, but all have crinkly edges.
Ten very long, red stamens, rising from each flower give the sprays a whiskery appearance, in opening these flowers are curiously curled and twisted.
The pods are straight, narrow and thin and about 3 inches long.
Initially green in color, they eventually turn black, burst open dispersing the seed.
It's propagation is by seed, by layers or by soft cuttings.
Legends connect the Peacock flower with the God Shiva so, to all Hindus it is sacred.
In our Ayurveda, its leaves are used as an efficient purgative and as a fomentation they are claimed to heal wounds.
Wood makes very good charcoal. Ink is made from the charred wood.  
American Indians used its seeds as an abortifacient in their practice of traditional medicine, to abort their children so that they don’t become slaves like them suffering ill treatment by their Dutch masters.


Comments

  1. RAMAJune 10, 2020 at 10:38 AM

    Beautiful information about... peacock followers n seeds.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 13, 2020 at 11:19 AM

    Great going doc...
    My wife planted so many plants and flowers at home..I never knew their names.. thanks to you I'm becoming plant/flower-wise :)

    ReplyDelete

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