IFS officer shares stunning bloom that’s also Odisha’s state flower. Can you guess it?

Some mornings feel ordinary until a single image changes the mood of an entire feed. A splash of colour, a rare bloom, and suddenly people are pausing mid-scroll to take a closer look. That is exactly what happened when an Indian Forest Service officer shared a striking photograph of a tree in full bloom. The flowers looked almost like they belonged in a painting, but they also carry deep cultural and ecological significance that many people may not know about.

IFS Ramesh Pandey recently took to X and shared a beautiful image of the flowers of the Ashoka tree, instantly catching attention for its vibrant and almost glowing appearance. He described the tree, also known as Sita Ashok or Saraca asoca, as something not commonly seen in the wild. According to him, these trees are more often spotted in urban landscapes rather than natural forests.

What makes them truly stand out is their flowering stage, when clusters of bright, aromatic blooms transform the tree into a vivid display of colour and fragrance. The flowers themselves appear in rich, warm tones, and their clustered arrangement adds to the beauty of the tree.

Odisha’s state flower

What many people might not immediately know is that the Ashoka flower also holds official recognition. It is identified as the state flower of Odisha. This was highlighted in a post by New Delhi Odia Samaj, which noted that the Ashoka tree, scientifically referred to as Saraca indica in some references, is deeply tied to the cultural identity of Odisha.


The flower is often associated with happiness and prosperity, and it carries symbolic importance in the region’s traditions. Beyond its visual beauty, it is also valued for its presence in cultural practices and ecological heritage.

More than just a decorative tree

The Ashoka tree is not just admired for its flowers. It has long been considered significant in traditional knowledge systems as well. The tree is known to have medicinal properties, and its flowers have been used in various traditional remedies aimed at supporting health and well-being.

It is a rainforest species with origins traced to parts of the Deccan Plateau and sections of the Western Ghats along India’s western coast. It is an evergreen tree, typically small and upright in structure, with dense clusters of deep green leaves that create a rich canopy.

The flowering season usually arrives between February and April. During this period, the tree produces heavy bunches of blooms that shift in colour from bright orange-yellow to deeper reddish tones as they mature and wilt.

A tree rooted in history and art

Beyond ecology and medicine, the Ashoka tree also holds a strong place in Indian cultural imagery. It has often been associated with yakshini figures in ancient art and temple architecture. Sculptures frequently depict these mythological beings interacting with flowering Ashoka branches, a motif seen at the entrances of Buddhist and Hindu temples across the country.