Oroxylum indicum
Description
Smallish, glabrous, sparingly branched, semi-deciduous tree, 6-20(-27)m;
Leaves tufted at twig-ends, with a long petiole, ½-2 m;
Stamens inserted in throat, their base long hairy.
Capsule pendent, 45-120 by 6-10 cm, valves flat, almost woody, finally black.
Seeds incl. wings 5-9 by 2½-4 cm.
Ecology
CORNER (l.c.) gave a lively account of his observations on this grotesque treelet. He remarked: "that each leaf develops as a unit and when it withers it breaks up gradually in regular order from the tip to the base: the leaflets fall off singly and the main stalk and its side-stalks break up at the joints: the bits accumulate round the base of the trunk like a collection of limb-bones, so that we may call it the 'Broken Bones Plant'. The leaves are crowded near the end of the stem or its branches, and saplings, which remain unbranched until after their first flowering at a height of some 15 ft., look like gigantic umbrellas. When the saplings flower, the inflorescence develops from the apical bud and therefore further upward growth of the main stem is prevented. When the inflorescence has finished flowering, the leaves below it fall off and the leafless stem is left as a pole with a few sabre-like pods dangling from its extremity: wherefore, we may call it the 'Tree of Damocles'. Then, after 3-4 weeks in a leafless state, one or more lateral buds on the stem break out and grow into side-branches which, in due course, flower, fruit, shed their leaves and branch in their turn: and, thus, the big trees are constructed sympodially with open irregular crown and a few lanky ascending limbs. Each branch seems to flower independently of the others so that flowers, fruits and growing twigs may be found on the same tree.".
Dispersal
The gauzy seeds slip out of the opened pods and flit away on the breeze with the jerky motion of a butterfly: so in noon-tide, we may call the tree the 'Midday Marvel' (CORNER, l.c.).
Uses
Popular with the Sundanese as a vegetable (lalab), fresh young leaves and flowers; even unripe capsule valves are eaten after being cooked (HASSKARL).
In Bawean I. flowers are used against inflammation of the eyes. The bitter bark is chewed in Java for depurative purpose, especially after delivery.
In Sarawak used for dyeing rattan of black shiny baskets.
In West Java (Priangan) local people are convinced that the tree is a protection of the house against thieves, a superstition probably derived from the sword-like shape of the capsules.
In Bawean I. flowers are used against inflammation of the eyes. The bitter bark is chewed in Java for depurative purpose, especially after delivery.
In Sarawak used for dyeing rattan of black shiny baskets.
In West Java (Priangan) local people are convinced that the tree is a protection of the house against thieves, a superstition probably derived from the sword-like shape of the capsules.
Citation
Miq. 1858 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 752
Corner 1940: Ways. Trees: 166: Atlas t. 29
STEEN. 1927: Thesis: 816
Clarke 1884 – In: Fl. Br. Ind.: 378
HAND.-MAZZ. 1936 – In: Symb. Sin.: 888
BUREAU 1864: Mon: 45: t. 9
WIGHT 1850 – In: IC. Pl.: t. 1337- j 1338
OCHSE & BAKH. 1931: Ind. Groent: 77: f. 46
KURZ 1928 – In: Bull. Jard. Bot. Btzg: 181
Roxb. 1832 – In: Fl. Ind., ed. Carey: 110
Ridl. 1923 – In: Fl. Mal. Pen.: 548
Merr. 1923 – In: En. Philip.: 444
K. & V. 1914 – In: Atlas: t. 358
K. & V. 1894 – In: Bijdr. Booms.: 66