Indian trumpet flower
Oroxylum indicum

Family: Bignoniaceae

What it is like

A small non hairy slightly branched tree. It grows 5-20 m high. The trunk is straight and rough. It loses its leaves during the year. The bark is soft light brown. The leaves are opposite and 3 to 4 series of leaflets. The leaves are large and 1-2 m long. There are many leaflets and they are pointed at the tip. They are 6-12 cm long by 3-8 cm wide. There are many flowers. These have an unpleasant smell. They occur in large erect clusters. The fused flower petal stalk is dark purple and bell-shaped. The stalk is 50 cm long. The fruit is a long pod or seed case. It is 60 cm long by 4 cm wide. It is slightly curved and has many seeds. The seeds include very thin wings up to 6 cm wide.

There is only one Oroxylum species. It has established medicinal benefits. It has established anti-cancer properties.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native from India to Malaysia. It grows near the edges of forests. It grows up to 900 m altitude. They are common and widely distributed from northern Luzon to Basilan in the Philippines in thickets and secondary forest at low and medium altitudes. It grows throughout India in deciduous forest. In Yunnan, China it grows up to 1400 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Andamans, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves, flowers and fruit are eaten cooked. They are mixed with spices. The young pods are sliced and used in chutney. The young fruit are bitter tasting but are eaten after boiling. They are grilled over the fire and the outer layer scraped off and the rest is sliced and served with chilli sauce or put in curries. Old fruits are grilled and added to curries. Unripe seeds are grilled and served with chilli sauce. The mature seeds are used to make a drink.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, fruit, pod, flowers, stem

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or cuttings. It can also be grown from root suckers.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Aaratfari, Achi, Aralu, Archang-kawm, Arlu, Bahlawng, Bahlong, Bai lin faa, Bakalong, Bak lin faa, Baklawng, Baklong chi, Balilang-uak, Beka, Be thuyen, Bhatghila, Binkuli, Bolai kayu, Boli, Bonglai kayu, Boongli, Broken bones tree, Bu gu bu lie, Bunepale, Byili pili, Con ca, Dao din, Dingari, Dingdinga, Dundilum, Gimuarai, Golden club, Guonunga, Guonungai, Ing ka, Jamlao, Kalong, Kapung-kapung, Karokandai, Kayu lanang, Kharoi, Kok linmai, K'noc, Kotodu, Kulai, Kyaung-sha, Lin deng a, Linfa, Linmai, Lin maiz, Mai-maklin-sang, Mai-ma-leinka, Makoi, Mengkulai, Merlai, Merulai, Midnight horror, Moongli, Mulin, Murai, Napakban, Nasona, Nopak ban, Nuc nac, Ouga, Paksam-rip, Palagapaiyani, Pampini, Parang nyabor, Parang pamol, Peiarlanthei, Peka, Pekaa, Phak lin faa, Phalga, Phapni, Pharri, Pheh-ka, Pheka, Phonphonia, Phual-changkok, Pinkapinkahan, Pongporang, Pugu-rip, Salsali, Saona, Shamba, Shyonaka, So do thuyen, Sona, Sonepatta, Sonpatti, Surimala, Sword fruit tree, Takha rwng, Tantia, Tarlu, Tatelo, Tatmorang, Tatola, Tattu, Tentu, Tetu, Tigdu, Toguna, Toguna, Totala, Totla, Totola, Tonok, Tree of Damocles, Tsampaka, Tutumba, Ullu, Yod lin faa

Synonyms

Arthrophyllum ceylanicum Miq.; Arthrophyllum reticulatum Blume ex Miq.; Bignonia indica L.; Bignonia lugubris Salisb.; Bignonia pentandra Lour.; Bignonia quadripinnata Blanco; Bignonia tripinnata Noronha; Bignonia tuberculata Roxb. ex DC.; Calosanthes indica (L.) Blume; Hippoxylon indica (L.) Raf.; Oroxylum flavum Rehder; Spathodea indica (L.) Pers.;