The Pride of India

Here is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the world. The Queen's Crape Myrtle or simply, Jarul (Lagerstroemia Speciosa/जारुळ, तामण) is one of the most outstanding summer bloomers. It is a fast growing, almost evergreen, moderate-sized species which has many uses to its name.

A profusion of large, dark pink to lavender blooms appear in dense, foot-long, terminal panicles, making Jarul tree a spectacular specimen to look at. Putting out brilliant displays of the glorious bright flowers, the tree attracts large numbers of bees, butterflies and birds. Furthermore, a well grown tree may flower twice a year. Due to which, it will stand out in every garden and is a beautiful landscape tree. The Jarul tree can start flowering as early as three years of age. 

Jarul is a drought tolerant species which is easily cared in the garden or landscape with really a low maintenance. It will grow in full sun on a wide range of well-drained soils but is not salt-tolerant. It coppices freely and is easily propagated by seeds, cuttings, root suckers. 

Jarul has dense and wide spreading root system. Hence the tree is valued for erosion control. The hardy tree can even be utilised for reforestation of degraded hills.

Being one of the most beautiful trees, moreover, this tree is also medicinally valuable & famous in Ayurvedic medicine. Jarul can be used to treat number of ailments such as urinary tract infections, blood pressure & even type II diabetes mellitus. It is also believed to have anti-diabetic & weight reducing properties. Technically, the active principle is considered to be corosolic acid, which promotes glucose transport or utilization in the body cells. The current thinking is that Jarul can lower glucose independent of pancreatic insulin. This makes the active principle of the tree a natural form of insulin from plants. A tea, made from the leaves, served as a health drink. There are no known side effects or toxic reactions of Jarul. In fact, it has been reported that it can help detoxify the body and protect the liver.

This species is also known by the name 'Pride of India' and it certainly merits this name attributed to it. It one of the well-known ornamental trees and is widely cultivated in home-gardens & as an avenue tree. It is perfect tree for urban societies. In full bloom, the pale greens and variegated clusters of beautiful flowers stand out as a relief against the dense darkness of the cement jungle.


Another similar species from the same genus is Crape Myrtle or Common Crape (Lagerstroemia Indica/सावनी). This deciduous tree is among the longest blooming trees with flowering periods of almost 4 months. Its attractive foliage and good frost & drought-tolerance; all combine to make Crape Myrtle a favorite small tree for any landscape. It is highly recommended for planting in urban and suburban areas.

The flowers are borne in summer in big showy clusters which will catch one’s eyes even from a distance. Another fascinating fact is the flowers come in many shades of pink, white, crimson, lavender and red with crimped petals. 

Crape Myrtle grows best in full sun in almost any kind of soil sand, loam or clay.
It will tolerate less hospitable positions in the landscape just as well. It grows well in limited soil spaces in urban areas such as along roads, in parking lots, and in small pavement cutouts if provided with some irrigation until well established.

The difference between both of these Myrtles is the size of flowers, leaves & the tree is smaller in Crape Myrtle than that of Queen’s Crape Myrtle. Though a smaller version of Queen’s Crape Myrtle, the Crape Myrtle is not at all lesser when it comes to attractiveness, usefulness and beauty..!

46 comments:

  1. I had been looking for these trees in Pune since a year.Then one fine morning,I noticed that about 25 trees have been planted by PCMC in garden opposite to my House.
    Till then I had been complaining that Government bodies only plant useless exotic/foreign species.But I now believe there are lots of people who are making a difference.
    In Pune,there is a very tall Taman tree on Bhandarkar Road opposite HDFC bank - near Pawar Quarters.

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  2. hi,
    came across your blog - very inspiring! I started with planting trees a couple of months back to make the road as green as possible. I planted two gulmohar trees :(, without knowing that their aren't native to India.
    I'd like to plant the Jarul tree, but haven't found it any nursery here(chennai). WOuld you know any sources? Thanks!

    Mano.

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    Replies
    1. Hey Mano, sorry couldn't tell about Chennai. btw its great to know that you want to go for Natives..! :)

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    2. Hi Mans,
      I have planed 4 trees in my garden in OMR in Chennai more than 10 years ago and they are all in full bloom every summer. I love the sight...You can visit the Horticultural nursery situated in Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai. It is situated opposite to the petrol pump next to Semozhi Poonga on the same road side along US consulate.

      All the best and welcome to the " Pride of India" family in Chennai

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    3. Thank you so much!
      I saw this comment only now :)

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    4. Visit Govnt nursery I got from there..search it on youtube youll find they are cheap...sometimes free

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    5. Wanted an advise.. if we plant trees on the road side, how do we maintain them, water them, etc?

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  3. Hi,
    This site is really very good.Can you share some nursery in Maharashtra where we can get these native sapling?

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    Replies
    1. Hi..
      Thank you. :)
      For native saplings, you may contact any nursery maintained by forest department. There are many private nurseries also which have native saplings.

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  4. Very informative article. Today I got a cutting from the tree. Is it possible to propagate the tree from stem cuttings?
    Please reply.

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    Replies
    1. Sure.. You just have to take extra care.. And to be transferred from poly-bag to the planting site only after 3-4 months.

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  5. Swati Hake....
    Pune people can get to see the Crape Myrtle in pink,light pink and lavender at our Sarasbaug....

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  6. Hello, Happy Earth Day, I would like to know where i can find the seedsof this tree in mumbai? i live in Andheri West.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sapna... Hope you had a wonderful Earth day!
      I am not sure about the place in Andheri where you can find the seeds. But Jijamata Udyan (Raanichi Baug) have these trees. Now fortunately it is the fruiting season of the tree. You may visit the garden to collect the seeds in next 2-3 weeks or so.

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  7. I live in Pune and interested in planting trees on roadside. Which are the best trees suiting Pune's climate? Further first preference is fruit bearing trees and then flowering trees.

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  8. hi paresh..
    i m here aftr very long time.. i think u have touched other topics related to environment (other than trees).. very nice.. its a treat to us.. i really want something to save our environment. and i m sure ur blog will lead us in right direction.. wishing u a great success in this great work.. and expecting a lot more good stuff from this blog.. thanks..

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  9. Where can I buy native trees in pune?
    I want to plant them at my farmhouse.

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    Replies
    1. HI...
      In Pune, there are many nurseries who have native saplings. Just google 'native saplings'. You can even visit a forest Dept nurseries.

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  10. This is a very good initiative to create awareness with lots of valuable information.We are planting trees in our society and came to know about lots of wonderful trees through these blogs.Thanks for sharing such information.

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  11. lovely tree .jarul ,realy its a gift of nature.

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  12. what is the time of collecting seeds of this plant...

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  13. Opposite my house in Thane, there are several such trees. Wish to confirm if they indeed are Jarul trees. In what way can I send you a photo of them, so you may please check.
    Thanks
    Alok

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  14. Opposite my house in Thane, there are several such trees. Wish to confirm if they indeed are Jarul trees. In what way can I send you a photo of them, so you may please check.
    Thanks
    Alok

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  15. Can Taman tree be planted just outside the house, can its route damage the building foundation later ?

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    Replies
    1. Don't worry Mam... Tamhan roots are not that aggressive!

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    2. I have planted 3 in front of my house along side of boundary wall and its been 3 years now. Roots do not damage near by walls, and this tree grows to 15-20 feet at the most with very narrow trunk (unlike other large tress). We enjoy the abundant pink and purple flowers during summer.

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  16. In east india..bhubaneswar city andkhordha district it is known as chenna flowers.it is of also light pink colour

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  17. My aunt used to have this in the garden of her home in Vellore. Flowered profusely every May and she called it mayflower. Don't know if it's similar to one's the bloom in England every May - hawthorn I think. I loved it. Ever since we moved from there,I never saw it, never knew its actual name until I found it on the ugaoo blog, when I discovered its scientific name. Googling that I came across this blog and I'm so thrilled I have. How does this grow? Seeds, cuttings, graft... Where in Vellore can I source it. I'd love it in my garden.

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  18. How to grow this plant as a clone
    Cuttings,
    Marcoting,
    Seeds,
    Which one will give 100 % results,
    I am from Amritsar Punjab,

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sandeep ji...

      The plant is easily propagated by cuttings or root suckers, which will be the exact clone of the parent tree. So you can try with moderately sized branch cuttings or root suckers.

      All the best..! :-)

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  19. Hello. I have some of a branch. How can I propogate it? Any home remedies? Like Epsom salt? I have seeds on it as well.

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  20. Dear Friends!I want saplings of these trees Jarul/Tamhan purple & pink colour anyone can guide me where I can get? I am staying at Dombivli near Thane, Mumbai.9819053516

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  21. I've this tree 5 ft away from my home. Is there any risk on the building foundation due to dense and wide spreading root system?

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  22. I will be cmn to thane this wed/thurs. Shall l carry one of pink and purple each?

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  23. Great Article! Thanks for sharing this information.

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  24. Is it same as Andaman Pyinma, the state flower of the island?

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  25. where can I get this tree or seed of this tree?
    Any online nursery suggestion??

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