Synonyms: 

Adambea hirsuta Lam.

Adambea glabra Lam.

Systematic Position

Kingdom:  Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Myrtales

Family: Lytheraceae

Native: Tropical southern Asia

Common Names

English – Queen’s Crape Myrtle

Malayalam – മണിമരുത്

Description:

Lagerstroemia speciosa, also known as the Queen’s flower or Banaba tree, is a tropical plant with large, showy clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers and smooth, peeling bark, commonly found in Southeast Asia.

Habitat: Semi-evergreen and Evergreen forests, mostly along banks of streams.

Distribution: Indian Subcontinent, Southern China, Indochina, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Uses: Lagerstroemia speciosa is used for its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional medicine for managing diabetes and other health conditions.