The Devil’s Tree Casts Spell On Me

  Nature and Nostalgia  

  My Winter Tale   

Friends we all have nostalgic moments in life triggered by our surrounding; today I would like to share my winter nostalgia triggered by the Devil’s Tree- also called Saptaparni (Alstonia Scholaris).   

  When I moved to Delhi for my under-graduation I started to associate winter with a peculiar sweet smell. It was during the month of late October and early November that when I used walk on the roads of south Delhi, I would be enchanted by this sweet smell and this is the time when festivity is on its peak the roads have fancy lights for upcoming Diwali, from small shacks to fancy restaurants will be decorated with the rice light which looks like drops of lights. The entire surrounding is so pleasant. The excruciating heat is gone and the evening are mildly cold and breezy and then there is this captivating smell on the roads.   

  My Dilemma  

 It was after two winters that I discovered that this is some natural phenomenon. I tried to tell my friends that there is a sweet smell but most failed to notice what nature was offering and some would think that I am love-struck or dreamy. I was enamored to an extent that I wanted even others to experience the joy of this natural treat. So after repetitive efforts I made my group realize that this is a phenomenon specific to a stretch of 30-45 days and the fragrance is deeper during evening and in night. Yet I failed to find the source, yes it might seem stupid but for three winters I experienced a phenomenon that bewitched me but I failed to understand it. It was only during my post-graduation that a friend told me that this is due to roadside trees with greenish white flowers. I resolved my biggest puzzle, but only to enter a maze of questions. My friend told me that it is a tree but he would not know the name of the tree. I next puzzle was to solve the mistry of name of sweet smelling tree.  

  The Quest For A Name  

 I tirelessly tried to ask random people about the name of the tree and most could not answer my question. I tried to interact with my college gardener and even he has no answer. It was quest that was not to unfold anytime soon. Every winter will pass casting a spell on me. Whenever I came under this tree I would smile and glow. The smell had a soothing effect taking worries away with the breeze. There I am, just me with the nature. I lived for seven year and somehow never found answer to my experience. The reason I was so inclined to an answer is because I associate the smell with one of best moments of my life with an unparalleled experience. Once I left Delhi and moved back to the my hometown, during October I was recalling my sweet November experience and thought of finding the tree name. I had planned to plant it in my Garden but I had to find the name, I enquired with my gardener but he was clueless. Then one fine day I sat online and hunted if I could find anything about my sweet winter experience. I stumbled upon a blog, which had mentioned the name of the tree. FINALLY I DISCOVERED THE NAME!!!!!  

  The Devil’s Tree   

Saptparni is evergreen tree, native to Indo-Malayan region, its scientific name is Alstonia Scholaris. It grow fast in hot dry climate, it bear flowers in early winter. The ‘ scholaris’ is derived from the commercial use of its bark,which is used for making boards and writing slates. The bark of tree is also called Dita bark and has medicinal uses. It is suitable for avenue planting; it helps in controlling noise pollution that is why it is planted extensively on roadsides. The tree is has medicinal uses, according to Ayurveda  it can be used as a bitter and astringent herb for treating skin disorders, malarial fever, urticaria, chronic dysentery, diarrhea, in snake bite and for upper purification process of Panchakarma.   

The tree is called Shaitan or Devil tree as according to tribal myths these trees are abodes of ghosts and spirits and the sweet smell is considered a devilish spell. In the Western Ghats some of tribes prohibit walking below these trees.    

Nature and Nostalgia   

We have come to an age where most of us have forgotten to relate to nature. The digital world is of-course a major reason that we are moving away from our environment and the connection we have with it. It is surprising that Delhi with such population most of it failed to notice what nature offered them. Even people around me could even realize that there was a sweet smell around. Nostalgia comes in all ways and nature plays a very important role in being nostalgic. Be it the cool breeze or the rain, they will bring with them some past memory. For me the devil’s tree brings a bundle of sweet memories from past. I am left with a smile or a tear with the past memory.   

 Friends don’t forget to observe your surrounding and if you happen to encounter the Devil’s tree, be spell bound. It is worth an experience. If there is someone from Delhi who could relate to this please write in comments.   

Please write in comments if you experienced this sweet smell.             

Image Source: nurserylive.com
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