Tree of sadness, Night jasmine tree
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
Family: Verbenaceae
What it is like
A small tree. It grows 10 m high. The branches are square in cross section. The bark is grey or greyish-green. The leaves are 10 cm long and 5 cm wide. They are rough and covered with stiff white hairs. The leaf stalk is 1 cm long. The flowers are fragrant. They are in heads or 3-7 flowers. They are orange-red.
It has also been put in the family Oleaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In Pakistan it grows in the sub-himalayan tract between 300-1,000 m altitude. It grows in dry deciduous forests and on rocky ground between sea level and 1,500 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, China, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Thailand
How it is used for food
The flowers are the source of a saffron-yellow dye used to colour food. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable either fresh or dried. They have a pleasant bitter taste. The leaves are cooked and used to make curry.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Flowers - dye, flowers, leaves, shoots
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Harsinghar, Hewali, Khirsari, Kulamarshal, Parijat, Pohon srigading, Sefali, Sephali, Seuli, Sewali, Siharu