❖ Common name- Pride of India

❖ Scientific name- Lagerstroemia specios

❖ Classification-

Kingdom- Plantae

Family- Lythraceae.

Order- Myrtales

❖Mode of propagation-

Pride of India blossoms in summer, therefore, it requires large-scale pruning during the dormancy period from winter to early spring. Pruning should be avoided in early autumn, as it will force the pride of India to grow rather than dormancy. Severe freezing damage in winter can cause plant death in case of incomplete dormancy. For a lagerstroemia plant with single trunk, one main trunk should be reserved, all lateral branches within 1.5 to 2 m from the ground should be trimmed off, and 3 branches on the trunk should be preserved as the main branches. For a lagerstroemia plant with multiple trunks, 3-5 robust branches should be reserved as the main trunks, the sprouts should be removed firstly, and the lateral branches of the lower half should be then removed for a tree form. Finally, the crowded or crossed branches in the crown and the branches that are too thin and too long should be trimmed to ensure good ventilation and light conditions in the center of the crown. The picture below shows a lagerstroemia plant with single trunk.

❖ Uses-

Native to South and Southeast Asia, L. speciosa is a common ornamental tree planted along roadsides, and in gardens and parks. The species has been traditionally used in folk medicine as remedy for illnesses and ailments, particularly for lowering blood sugar level, reducing body weight, and as a remedy for diabetes.