Saga Tree also known as Adenanthera pavonina, Family Fabaceae/Leguminosae.

The tree stands up to 20 meters high. Pavo in pavonina means peacock, it might be the leaves that make it got its name, because this tree has beautiful compound that forms peacock feathers.

According to Corners, the word ‘Saga’ has been traced to the Arabic for goldsmith.

In India and Sri Lanka, the seeds of this tee have been used as units of weight for fine measures, of gold for instance. The seeds are curiously similar in weight. Four seeds make up about one gramme.

Adenanthera pavonina seeds have long been a symbol of love in China, and its name in Chinese is xiang si dou (Chinese: 相思豆), or “mutual love bean”.

In Bali and Java they call it “biji sagu”, the seeds are roasted, shelled and eaten with rice and said to taste like soyabeans.

In India, the seeds are also used in medicine.

And everywhere, the seeds are used to make necklaces.

This tree is used for making soap, and a red dye can be obtained from the wood. The wood, which is extremely hard, is also used in boat-building, making furniture and for firewood.

In traditional medicine, a decoction of the young leaves and barks are used to treat diarrhoea and antibacterial.

The ground seeds are used to treat inflammation.

Oil extract from Saga seeds offers potential uses as valuable chemical feedstock and liquid fuel.

Singapore has few area where we can spot this tree, and we are so lucky to have this magical tree by the playground right in front of our apartment. I can tell from its spreading roots that this one may aged decades.

And we love how dramatic saga seeds are with their bright sienna red, makes them easier to spot during our saga seeds hunting.

Source: wikipedia