Description

The Saraca Indica (Ashoka tree) is a small flowering tree reaching an approximate height of 30 ft. With an open spread round crown sturdy branched, showing the characteristic large drooping pinnate leaves. 

Flowering and Foliage

Additionally, the Saraca Indica leaves are pinnate, deep green, and arranged in leaflets of 4-6 pairs. Furthermore, they measure up to 12 inches and when they are young (new flush) they appear in a pinkish color in a flaccid ‘handkerchief’ manner while they fill up with chlorophyll.  

The dark green droopy foliage of the Saraca Indica (Ashoka tree) is embellished with the bright, colorful flowers that begin to appear in early spring and remain until late summer. The fragrant yellow-orange  that with time deepen to the scarlet red flower of the Saraca Indica (Ashoka tree) have no petals. Only a long-tubed 4-lobed calyx hangs on to the long stamens. And following its flowering period large, flat, saber-like seedpods form. This also highlights this already beautiful tree, as the iridescent, burnish, purplish to crimson; compels the Ashoka tree to stand out even more. 

Landscape Applications

Due to its outstanding dark green foliage, which gracefully contrasts with the pinkish new-flush, colorful flowering habit, and appealing seedpods; the Saraca Indica is a valued ornamental tree. Makes a great specimen accent tree for small gardens. The Saraca Indica (Ashoka tree) is sometimes confused with a close tree of the Saraca family the yellow bloom Saraca Thaipingensis. 

Other facts:

The Ashoka is also considered a sacred tree in India, where is native to. You can find it  near temples so worshippers may use the blooms as offerings.  And flowers symbolize love. 

Common Names:

Ashoka Tree, Ashok, Asoca, and Sorrowles Tree