Cheemaperigalam ചീമപേരിങ്ങലം / കൃഷ്ണകിരീടം

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Pagoda flower is an erect, open semi woody shrub with large evergreen leaves and huge showy clusters of orange-red or scarlet flowers held above the foliage. The bush sometimes has multiple stems and gets 3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m) tall, spreading 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m) across. The leaves have heart shaped bases; lower leaves are lobed and upper leaves entire. The handsome, tropical looking leaves can be as large as 12 in (30.5 cm) across. They are arranged in opposite pairs along the fast growing stems which often branch from the roots rather than from a single trunk. The flowers are funnel shaped with long tubes. Although the individual flowers are only about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) long, they are arranged in massive terminal panicles up to 1 ft (0.3 m) or more in height. The flowers within the pyramid shaped cluster are tiered, like a Japanese pagoda. The showy display lasts from summer through autumn with additional sporadic flowering throughout the year in frost free climates.
The whole plants of Cheema perigalam is used for vata, pitta, inflammation, wounds and skin diseases.