Sorrow-less tree
Saraca asoca

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. It grows 6-9 m high. The bark is dark brown. The leaves are compound and 30 cm long. There are 4 pairs of leaflets. These are oval and pointed. They can be 25 cm long by 6 cm wide. New leaves are pink. The flowers have a scent. The flowers are orange-yellow. They are in flat topped arrangement 7.5-10 cm across. The individual flowers are 2.5 cm long. The fruit are leathery pods. These are red but turn grey at maturity. They are 5-15 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. They are pointed at the tip. There are 4-8 grey seeds. The pods split into 2 halves and curl up on ripening.

There are about 25 Saraca species. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In the eastern Himalayas it grows up to 750 m altitude. It needs to be sheltered from hot winds. It is best in a lightly shady place.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The seeds are chewed in place of betel nut. The young tender leaves are cooked with meat.

Edible parts

Seeds - masticatory, leaves

How it is grown

It is easily grown from seed. It can also be grown from stem cuttings.

The tree comes into flowering when 4-6 years old. Fruit take 6 months to ripen.

Its other names

Local names

Ashok, Ashoka, Asogam, Asokam, Bai-kang, Mir krem, Thawka

Synonyms

Sarca indica auct non L.; Jonesia asoca Roxb.;