Botanical Name- Tecoma Stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth

Common Name - Yellow Elder

Classification:- 

• Kingdom - Plantae

• Division - Tracheophyta 

• Class -   Magnoliopsida

• Order -  Lamiales   

• Family - Bignoneaceae

• Genus -   Tecoma

• Species - stans

Characteristics Of  Family- 

Plant predominently lianous, compound leaves, zygomorphic flowers, anthers connivent in pairs; numberous ovule, silique-like woody capsule, large winged seed and non-endospermic. Mostly trees or shrubs; often climbing or twining vine, rarely herbs.

Habitat:- ecoma stans is a weed of roadsides, riparian zones (banks of watercourses), open woodlands, grasslands, forest margins, waste areas, rocky places, sandy lake shores and disturbed sites in tropical and subtropical environments.

Distribution:- Native to southern USA, Mexico, the Caribbean, Peru and Ecuador and india ( all part of kerala).

Status:- Least concern

Plant description:- 

A large shrub or small, much-branched, tree usually growing 1.5 to 5 m tall, but occasionally reaching 10 m in height.

The younger stems are smooth, hairless (glabrous) and greenish in colour. They are slightly four-angled in cross-section (quadrangular) and turn pale brown or reddish-brown in colour as they age.

The bark on the main stem is light brown to pale grey in colour, furrowed, and relatively rough in texture.

The leaves (10-25 cm long) are arranged in pairs (oppositely arranged) and are borne on slender stalks (petioles) 1-9 cm long.

USES- 

• A leaf infusion can be taken orally for treating diabetes and stomach pains.

• A strong leaf and root decoction is taken orally as a diuretic, to treat syphilis or for intestinal worms.

• Trees can be planted as a live hedge.

• The light brown wood is hard and very durable. It is used in cabinet making, turnery, to make tools, and in the construction of buildings.