Saraca indica
Evergreen tree with orange to red flower clusters from Southeast Asia
Saraca indica is a tall evergreen tree valued for its clusters of orange to red flowers. Native to Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia, it is often planted in parks and gardens for its ornamental appeal. Its flowers and young leaves are eaten in some regions, and the tree is sometimes used for small wood items.
- Evergreen tree reaching up to 20 metres tall
- Clusters of orange to red flowers appear several times a year
- Native to Southeast Asia and western Indonesia
- Flowers and young leaves are eaten in Thailand
- Often confused with Saraca asoca
What does Saraca indica look like?
Saraca indica is an evergreen tree that can reach up to 20 metres high, with a dark, rough trunk. Its leaves are made up of several pairs of smooth, lance-shaped leaflets that start out white, pink, or purple before turning green. The tree produces rounded clusters of small, petal-less flowers with orange-yellow sepals that deepen to red. The flowers have a mild scent and are followed by long, woody pods containing seeds.
Where does Saraca indica come from?
Saraca indica grows naturally in forests along streams in Southeast Asia and western Indonesia. The species was first described from a specimen collected in Java. Its name suggests an Indian origin, but it is not native to India. Over time, it has been widely planted in gardens and parks beyond its native range, and is sometimes confused with the related Saraca asoca.
When and how Saraca indica blooms
This tree thrives in sunny spots with fertile, well-drained soil and regular moisture. It may flower several times a year, and is pollinated by bees. The flowers grow in corymbs, or rounded clusters, and the tree produces pods that split open to release seeds, which are eaten by animals like monkeys and squirrels.
How Saraca indica is used
Saraca indica is mainly grown for its attractive flowers, making it popular in landscaping for roadsides and public gardens. In Thailand and some other Southeast Asian regions, people eat the flowers and young leaves, which have a sour taste. The wood is sometimes used for small items such as utensils or plywood.
Kinds of Saraca indica
Saraca indica is often mistaken for Saraca asoca, which has a different native range and slightly different flower and pod features. There are also varieties within S. indica, such as S. zollingeriana and S. bijuga, which have been classified as forms of this species.
What Saraca indica means
Although its name is linked to India, Saraca indica is not native there and is often confused with Saraca asoca in Indian tradition and herbal medicine. The tree is valued for its ornamental qualities and edible flowers in Southeast Asia, but is not tied to specific religious or cultural symbolism in the sources.
Questions people ask about Saraca indica
Where does Saraca indica come from?
Saraca indica is native to mainland Southeast Asia and western Indonesia, growing naturally in forests along streams. Despite its name, it is not originally from India.
What does the Saraca indica tree look like?
It is a tall evergreen tree with a rough, dark trunk, compound leaves, and rounded clusters of small, orange to red flowers. The tree produces long, woody pods after flowering.
How is Saraca indica used?
People plant it as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. In some Southeast Asian countries, the flowers and young leaves are eaten, and its wood is used for small objects.
Is Saraca indica the same as the asoka tree of India?
No, Saraca indica is often confused with Saraca asoca, which is native to the Indian subcontinent. The two species differ in their native ranges and some botanical features.
Does Saraca indica have any special meaning or symbolism?
The sources do not mention any particular symbolic or religious meaning for Saraca indica, though it is valued for its beauty and edible flowers in Southeast Asia.
Good reading and sources
- NParksNational Parks Board, Singapore, Article
- IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesIUCN Red List, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Saraca indica on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Saraca indica", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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