Oroxylum indicum (L) Vent

Description :

This plant is a fast-growing evergreen and partly deciduous tree. Its height is about 10 to 20 m. The pinnate leaves are about 1 meter in length and comparably broad. The stalks are up to 2 m in length. Leaves are quadri pinnate which means leaflets display four orders of branching making this plant the largest of all dicot tree leaves. The tree blooms at night and natural pollination of flowers are done by bats. They form massive seed pods (the fruits) which are up to 1 to 1.5m long that hang down from branches and look like as swords are hanging down the branches. The seeds are round with papery wings.

Distribution :

This species is native to the Pakistan, India, Himalayan foothills with a part extending to Bhutan and southern China, Indochina and the Malesia regions. This is the plant of tropical to subtropical regions. It is tolerant to different ranges of climatic conditions. It occurs mostly below altitudes of 1000m. It favours a fertile and moist soil.

Uses :

This plant has both edible and medicinal uses. It is a plant that has edible stem and leaves and stems. The large young pods are eaten especially in Laos and Thailand. Firstly, they are grilled on fire and then the bitter pulp present inside the fruit is usually removed and then eaten. In some areas in India flowers and fruit are eaten as a bitter side dish with rice. It is often prepared with the process fermentation and used for medicinal purposes. Seeds are also used for the production of ancient Chinese and Indian medicines.

 

 

 

(Karnati et al., 2013)