Mountain Ebony (Kanchanara)

Mountain ebony, or Kachnar, is a medium-sized deciduous tree of the bean family native from China through Southeast Asia to India. It has distinctive two-lobed leaves and large, fragrant white to pink-purple flowers that resemble orchids, and is common in gardens.

Known as Kanchanara in Sanskrit, its bark is a classical Ayurvedic herb, used in traditional preparations such as Kanchanara Guggulu for general wellbeing and in skin care. The flower buds are cooked as a vegetable. The bark and flower are used.