Evergreen elegance

An Asoka tree in full bloom is a glorious sight to behold

AMONG THE trees that add beauty to the outdoors, especially the main thoroughfares is saraca asoka.

This small tree with beautiful dense clusters of yellow and orange-red flowers (Saraca indica) belongs to the caesalpineaceae family.

Some people call the tall Polyalthia logifolia by the name Asoka but there is no reason why we should fail to identify the real Asoka when we see it in bloom.

This evergreen tree is grown from seeds. The pods contain five or more seeds. They germinate easily but growth is rather slow.

The tree prefers a moist semi-shady place.

The leaves are about 25 cm long with 3-6 elongated and wavy-edged leaflets pinnately arranged on the main stalk.

The yellow flowers which turn orange and red with age are long, four-lobed and have pink and yellow stamens.

The yellow and red colours of the flowers contrast well with the deep green of the leaves.

Flowering starts from January and goes on till May, though sometimes the flowers are visible during other months.

Saraca asoka is sacred to the Hindus and the Buddhists.

An episode in The Ramayana tells how Sita sat beneath an Asoka tree in the Asoka Vana, after she was carried away to Lanka by Ravana. The name Asoka means `that which removes sadness'.

Sita was comforted by the sight and shade of this gorgeous flowering tree.

The tree is indigenous to India, Burma and Malaysia and is foundall over India.

Despite its beauty it has not yet become a popular avenue or garden tree.

Saraca indica possesses some medicinal properties. The bark contains tannins and some chemicals and is prescribed as a tonic.

Crushed flowers and leaves are rubbed on the skin to get relief from skin diseases.

When selecting trees for avenues or large gardens, it will be an excellent idea to choose Saraca asoka instead of the usual rusty shield bearer or the ubiquitous gulmohur.

CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN

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