Sorrowless Tree
Saraca indica

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows to 20 m tall. The bark can be dark brown or almost black. The leaves are divided into 3-6 pairs of leaflets. Each leaflet is oblong and 10-20 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. When young they hang down and are copper coloured. The flowers are orange and do not have petals. They often arise from branches from the wood. The fruit are on stalks 6-25 cm long. They are flat pods which are 10-20 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They are leathery with 3-5 compressed seeds.

The tree is sacred to Buddhists and Hindus. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs shade and moist well-drained soil. It is native in India, Thailand and Indonesia. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Marquesas, Myanmar, Pacific, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The flowers and leaves are cooked as a vegetable. The fruit are chewed as a substitute for betel nut.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, fruit - masticatory

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ashoka tree, Asogam, Asoka, Diya rat mal, Gapis, Sok, Thawka, Thawka-po, Vang-anh

Synonyms

Jonesia asoca sensu auct. [Misapplied]; Jonesia minor Zoll. & Moritzi; Saraca arborescens Burm.f.; Saraca asoca sensu auct. [Misapplied]; Saraca bijuga Prain; Saraca indica var. bijuga (Prain) Gagnep.; Saraca kunstleri Prain; Saraca lobbiana Baker; Saraca minor (Zoll. & Moritzi) Miq.; Saraca minor var. bijuga Prain; Saraca pierreana Craib;