Goa - Firecracker Flower

Botanical Name: Crossandra infundibuliformis

Local Name: Referred to as Abolim by Goans

'Kanagaambaram', by Venkatx5, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Reason for being the state flower

Firecracker flower was declared as the state flower in the mid 1970s due to its significance in Goa’s socio-cultural setup.

Symbolic Meaning and Cultural Significance

Locally it is known as 'Abolim'. It is offered to the goddess 'Saibini'. The goddess 'Saibini' is Mirabai to the Santeri worshipping Konkanis and Mary, the mother of Jesus to the Catholics. Hence it symbolizes religious unity and harmony.

Uses

The little blossoms are frequently hung together into strands, at times alongside white jasmine flowers to make garlands. These garlands are quite popular and are either offered to their gods or used to decorate women's hair.

The plant is commonly used in folk medicine. Whereas the extracts from the flower are used to cure headache, fever, pain and to create a drink that stimulates the appetite.

Bibliography

https://www.theroamingdiary.com/2019/06/aboli-flower.html?m=1

https://www.navhindtimes.in/2020/04/27/magazines/buzz/of-firewalkers-and-firecracker-flowers/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236656703_EVALUATION_OF_WOUND_HEALING_ACTIVITY_OF_CROSSANDRA_INFUNDIBULIFO

RMIS_FLOWER_EXTRACT_ON_ALBINO_RATS