Saraca thaipingensis
03 February
Posted at 14:55h
in Plant of the Week
Saraca thaipingensis
This beauty is a tree species native to Peninsular Malaysia and Southeast Asia in the family Fabaceae. It has yellow flowers, borne on old wood, and is grown as an ornamental for floral effect. Common names include Yellow Asoka and Yellow Saraca.
The Yellow Saraca is one of the most characteristic riverside trees of Peninsular Malaysia, giving rise to the term “Saraca streams” for mountain rivers like the Sungai Gombak. The Malays recorded that the flowers have some medicinal properties as a source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial benefits.