National Tree of Sri Lanka

The National Tree of Sri Lanka is Ceylon ironwood (Mesua ferrea). It is locally known as Naa. It is also called cobra saffron in English and Naga in various languages across Asia. The word Naa is derived from the Sanskrit and Pali word Naga, meaning ‘cobra’. This tree was declared the national tree of Sri Lanka on February 26, 1986. The decision was based on its cultural, religious, and historic importance, as well as its unique qualities, including its wide distribution, usage, and appearance.

National Tree of Sri Lanka and Characteristics

The Ceylon ironwood tree is native to various parts of Asia, including Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. It can reach heights of 18 to 30 meters (about 98 feet) and have a trunk diameter of up to 2 meters (6.7 feet). The bark of younger trees is ash grey and flaky, while older trees have a dark ash-grey bark with a red-brown blaze.

The leaves are glossy green to blue-grey, ranging from 7–15 cm in length and 1.5–3.5 cm in width. The underside of the leaves is whitish. When they emerge, the young leaves have a reddish to yellowish hue. The tree’s flowers are large, measuring 4–7.5 cm in diameter, with four white petals and numerous orange-yellow stamens at the center. The fruit is an ovoid to globose capsule, containing one or two seeds.

Religious Significance

In Theravada Buddhism, the Ceylon ironwood is deeply revered. It is believed that the future Buddha, Maitreya, will attain enlightenment under the Naga tree (Ceylon ironwood). This tree has been associated with spiritual awakening and is linked to Buddhist prophecies about the future Buddha.

Maitreyavyakarana Sutra describes “A Dragon (Naga) tree will then be the tree under which he will win enlightenment; its branches rise up to fifty leagues, and its foliage spreads far and wide over six Kos. Underneath it Maitreya, the best of men, will attain enlightenment – there can be no doubt on that. And he will win his enlightenment the very same day that he has gone forth into the homeless life.” Note that the term Naga was seen as the same as the dragon in China.

Similarly, the Anagatavamsa (The Chronicle of the Future Buddha) also prophesizes that the Naga tree will serve as the place of enlightenment for Maitreya. In verse 99, it is written, “The Naga tree will be the place of awakening for that Blessed One.”

Uses and Benefits

The Ceylon ironwood has been utilized in various ways throughout history. Its timber is extremely hard and durable, making it ideal for heavy construction, such as railway sleepers and structural beams. The tree is also widely cultivated as an ornamental due to its graceful shape, attractive leaves, and large, fragrant flowers.

Beyond its timber, different parts of the tree have therapeutic properties. The flowers, leaves, seeds, and roots are used in traditional medicine in Sri Lanka, India, and Malaysia. Additionally, the fragrant flowers are used in perfumes and cosmetics. The seeds produce an oil that has been historically used for lighting purposes.

In Sri Lanka, remnants of ancient Buddhist monasteries, particularly those near Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandalama, and Ritigala, often have Ceylon ironwood trees growing around them. These trees are believed to be descendants of those planted during the Anuradhapura period.

In Assam, India, the seeds of the Ceylon ironwood were once used for lighting lamps in daily life before the introduction of kerosene. The use of the seeds for lighting was a common practice, while mustard oil served for religious, health, and culinary purposes.

Additionally, the 14th-century Embekka temple in Kandy district features pillars made from Ceylon ironwood.