Oroxylum indicum
Introduction '''''Oroxylum indicum''''' is a species of flowering plant belonging to the monotypic genus '''''Oroxylum''''' and the family Bignoniaceae, and is commonly called '''Indian trumpet tree''', '''oroxylum''', '''Indian trumpet flower''', '''broken bones''', '''Indian caper''', '''scythe tree''' or '''tree of Damocles'''. It can reach a height of . Various segments of the tree are used in traditional medicine, where it is known as '''Shyonaka''' or '''Sona Patha'''.
Description The large leaf stalks wither and fall off the tree and collect near the base of the trunk, appearing to look like a pile of broken limb bones. The pinnate leaves are approximately  in length and comparably wide, borne on petioles or stalks up to  in length, making this the largest of all dicot tree leaves, which are quadripinnate (leaflets display four orders of branching).The tree is a night-bloomer and flowers are adapted to natural pollination by bats. They form enormous seed pods – the fruits – are up to  long that hang down from bare branches, resembling swords. The long fruits curve downward and resemble the wings of a large bird or dangling sickles or swords in the night, giving the name "tree of Damocles". The seeds are round with papery wings.
Distribution ''Oroxylum indicum'' is native to the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayan foothills with a part extending to Bhutan and southern China, Indochina and the Malesia regions. In Vietnam, the tree is called ''núc nác'' (sometimes ''sò đo''), and specimens can be found in Cat Tien National Park.It is visible in the forest biome of Manas National Park in Assam, India. It is found, raised and planted in large number in the forest areas of the Banswara district in the state of Rajasthan in India. It is reported in the list of rare, endangered and threatened plants of Kerala (South India). It is also found in Sri Lanka and also in Mizoram.
Ecology ''Oroxylum indicum'' lives in relationship with the actinomycete ''Pseudonocardia oroxyli'' present in the soil surrounding the roots. ''Septobasidium bogoriense'' is a fungal species responsible for velvet blight in ''O. indicum''.
Phytochemistry Various segments of ''O. indicum'', including leaves, root bark, heartwood, and seeds, contain diverse phytochemicals, such as prunetin, sitosterol, oroxindin, oroxylin-A, biochanin-A, ellagic acid, tetuin, anthraquinone, and emodin. Several of the compounds are under preliminary research to identify their potential biological properties.
Uses The tree is often grown as an ornamental plant for its strange appearance. Materials used include the wood, tannins and dyestuffs.===In marriage rituals=== The plant is used by the Kirat, Sunuwar, Rai, Limbu, Yakha, Tamang in Nepal, the Thai in Thailand and the Lao in Laos.In the Himalayas, people hang sculptures or garlands made from ''O. indicum'' (Skr. shyonaka) seeds from the roof of their homes in belief they provide protection.===As food===Pickled caper-like flower buds of the scythe treeIt is a plant with edible leaves, flower buds, pods and stems. The large young pods, known as ''Lin mai'' or ''Lin fa'' in Loei, are eaten especially in Thailand and Laos. They are first grilled over charcoal fire and then the inner tender seeds are usually scraped and eaten along with lap. Known as karongkandai among the Bodos of north east India, its flowers and fruit are eaten as a bitter side dish with rice. Its fruit are eaten as a side dish and water of boiled leave and bark as traditional medicine in Mizoram. It is known in Mizoram as Archangkawm. It is often prepared with fermented or dried fish and believed by them to have medicinal uses. The pods also eaten by Chakma people in Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh and India. Its called "Hona Gulo 𑄦𑄧𑄚 𑄉𑄪𑄣𑄮" in Chakma language.The plant is an important food item among the Karen people, who also appreciate it for its medicinal value. The flower buds are boiled and pickled. The young pods are cut open raw and the tender seeds inside, having the color and texture of lettuce leaves, are used in various local dishes.===In traditional medicines===''Oroxylum indicum'' seeds are used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines. Root bark is one of the ingredients thought to be useful in compound formulations in Ayurveda and other folk remedies.In India, bark decoction of Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz. (Bignoniaceae) is used as a traditional medicine to cure intestinal-helminthic infections. The bark extract of O. indicum has shown concentration-dependent effects against the larval and adult Hymenolepis diminuta worms, and thus the extract holds promise in the control of intestinal helminthiases. Khirod Deori, Arun K Yadav: doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4864-6.===In art===Kelantanese and Javanese peoples forge a type of keris in the shape of the plant's seed pod called the ''keris buah beko''.
In mythology The Onge name for the tree is ''talaralu''. According to an Onge myth, the first of the Onge people, also named Onge, was created by ''Eyuge'' (monitor lizard) from oroxylum wood. Onge made a shelter and planted oroxylum trees around it, and created more human beings from the trees. The trees were planted in pairs, giving rise to both Onge men and women. Only Onge people were created in this way; Onge mythology offers no explanation for the existence of non-indigenous people or other indigenous Andamanese peoples.
Gallery File:Oroxylum indicum W3 IMG 3170.jpg|FlowersFile:Oroxylum indicum W IMG 3169.jpg|LeavesFile:Oroxylum indicum W2 IMG 3171.jpg|FruitFile:Oroxylum indicum250.jpg|The large ''Oroxylum indicum'' pods sold at a market in Bangkok, ThailandFile:Oroxylum indicum.JPG|''Oroxylum indicum'' near Panchkhal, Nepal
See also *List of Thai ingredients
References