(Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. 

Local name(s): ໜາມກະຈາຍ (Nam ka jai) 

Medicinal use(s): treat syphilis and cases of dysentery

Part(s) used: root

Field Characters: Small shrub,  leaves pinnate, flower buds red and pink, disposed along a dense, axillary spike. 

Locality: Dong na Tat Forest preserve, Km 19, Kaisone Phomvihan district, Savannakhet Province.

Habitat: Broadleaved evergreen tropical rainforest. Forest opening. 

Altitude: 160 m asl 

Collector(s): K. Sydara, M. Xayvue, Th. Sonemanyvong 

Collection number(s): KS 19-007

Collection Date: March 24, 2014

Additional information:  

Voucher specimen is in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA under accession no. 2313774.

Synonyms, images, taxonomic description: 


Plants of the World onlineFlora of China Vol. 10  Pages 41, 42, 45 GBIF | Global Biodiversity Information Facility

Useful references:


Baldim Zanin JL, De Carvalho BA, Paloma Salles Martineli PS, et al. The Genus Caesalpinia L. (Caesalpiniaceae): Phytochemical and Pharmacological Characteristics. Molecules 2012, 17(7), 7887-7902; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules17077887


Bhagya N. A critical review on the phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. South African Journal of Botany 2024, volume 174, pages 796-819. ISSN 0254-6299, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2024.09.031.
Sharma V, Rajani GP. Evaluation of Caesalpinia pulcherrima Linn. for anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities. Indian J Pharmacol 2011, 43(2):168-71. doi: 10.4103/0253-7613.77354. PMID: 21572651; PMCID: PMC3081455. 
Zanin JL, de Carvalho BA, Martineli PS, et al. The genus Caesalpinia L. (Caesalpiniaceae): phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics. Molecules 201, 29;17(7):7887-902. doi: 10.3390/molecules17077887. PMID: 22751225; PMCID: PMC6269049.