Home > Indian History > Flora & Fauna > Rugtoora
Rugtoora
Rugtoora is a tall Indian medicinal plant that is also used for decorative purposes.

Share this Article:

Rugtoora is a useful Indian medicinal plant that is botanically known as Spathodea campanulata Beauv. The name of this medicinal plant varies from region to region. Rugtoora is the Hindi name of the plant and in Rugtoora, Indian Medicinal PlantKannada it is called as Lujjekaye, Neerukaye or Ucche Kaayi. The plant is named as Patadi and Patade or Patadiya in Tamil and Telugu, respectively.

Rugtoora is quite a tall tree with a height of up to 22 m and has wide branches at the top. The plant is evergreen except in very dry areas, where it loses its leaves for a few weeks. The bark of the plant is smooth and has a light brownish-grey colour, while the leaves are imparipinnate. The length of the leaves is 30-45 cms and they have around 13-19 leaflets. The leaflets have an elliptical oblong to obovate shape. The base is rounded, margins entire and apex acuminate. The flowers of the plant are quite large (to 9 cms long and 6 cms broad) and the bell-shaped flowers have a colour of scarlet-red or orange. The flowers are borne in dense, pendulous, terminal racemes.

Rugtoora, Indian Medicinal Plant The fruits or capsules of Rugtoora are of brownish-black colour and oblong-lanceolate. They have a length of 15-23 cms and width of 3-5 cms and they contain numerous seeds. The seeds are 1.7-2.4 cm broad including hyaline wing and they are winged all around. Though the plant is a native to tropical West Africa, it is commonly planted in the Indian gardens and along roads for its year-round display of flowers. The plant is sometimes planted along riverbanks for erosion control, as well.

Apart from having decorative and attractive features, Rugtoora has some useful medicinal properties and usages, as well. The dried, pulverized bark or fresh inner bark of the plant is used as a dressing for ulcers and other skin troubles. The Indian people use a decoction of the leaves and bark of Rugtoora as a soothing lotion. Another decoction of the bark is usually given for treating the diseases like dysentery, gastrointestinal and kidney troubles. Apart from that, the Indian people use an infusion of the leaves in the treatment of urethral inflammation, as well.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Flora & Fauna


Flora Of Uttarakhand
Uttaranchal falls under the west Himalayan Biogeography zone and it is well-known for floral diversity .
Flora and Fauna of Ladakh
Flora and Fauna is typical to t he kind of mountainous terrain which dominate the entire landscape of the region. Though some varieties of fauna are to be found here, the vegetation is very limited due to the dry and cold climate.
Flora and fauna in Tripura
Two-thirds of Tripura is forested where different species of trees, orchids, birds and wildlife are found. There are four sanctuaries in the state namely, Rowa wildlife sanctuary, Sepahijala wildlife sanctuary, Trishna wildlife sanctuary and Gumti wildlife sanctuary.
Flora and Fauna in Meghalaya
70 percent of Meghalaya is forested. Meghalayan forests are considered to be among the richest botanical habitats of Asia. These forests receive abundant rainfall and support a vast variety of floral and faunal biodiversity.
Flora and Fauna of Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is rich in flora and fauna. Flora includes thorn bush type of the arid plain to the temperate and alpine flora of the higher altitudes. Faunal species found here are leopard, cheetah and deer, wild sheep, bear, brown musk shrew, muskrat; varieties of snakes, bats, lizards etc.
Flora and fauna in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Economy of this region is primly based on agriculture. In Andaman island, paddy is the main food crop, while in Nicoabar island coconut and areca nut are the main crops. Some field crops like pulses, oilseeds and vegetables are also grown here.
Flora And Fauna Of Uttar Pradesh
Flora and Fauna of Uttar Pradesh is widely diversified and adds pride to the state.
Flora and fauna of Kerala
Flora and Fauna of Kerala are diverse. The favourable climate with heavy rainfall and good quality of the soils helps both the flora and fauna to thrive. Forest covers a large area in the Western Ghats of Kerala.
Flora and fauna of Karnataka
Flora and fauna of Karnataka are diverse and comprise of plants, animals, birds, reptiles, etc. Flora of Karnataka comprises of species like eucalyptus, teak and rosewood. Fauna of Karnataka comprises of species like leopard, gaur and wild pig.
Flora and Fauna of Rajasthan
The flora and fauna of Rajasthan supports all kinds of animal species and forests. The diverse flora and fauna of Rajasthan has made it a popular tourist destination.
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh includes infinite species and is a subject of great interests for the botanists.
Flora and Fauna of Manipur
Flora and fauna of Manipur are known to be the assemblage of a huge variety including the endangered ones. The place is especially famed for orchid species which includes the most vibrant and beautiful ones of the world.