The Devil's Tree

DR V. RAMAKANTHA, retired forest officer, who lived, raised a family, and worked in forests for most of his adult life, returns to our pages in 2025 to share his vast knowledge of medicinal plants, and the fascinating stories associated with them. In his signature style, this month he weaves together science, folklore, and traditional knowledge to tell the story of the Devil's Tree, Saptaparni.

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Saptaparni is a large evergreen tree growing up to 120 feet. Palakkad, a town and district in the Indian state of Kerala, is believed to have been named after these trees—“pala” refers to Saptaparni and “kaadu” to forests. Saptaparni is also known as yakshi-paalya, meaning Devil’s Tree. Yaksha and Yakshi are nature spirits, generally considered benevolent celestial beings who visit Earth, but they also have a darker form of grotesque and terrible entities that can appear before people as the most beautiful and enchanting ladies. In many parts of South India, a Yakshi is believed to make a home in a Saptaparni tree. If any male villager gradually loses weight and health, an affair with a Yakshi becomes the first suspicion in the minds of the elders.

A cautionary tale

According to folklore, a Brahmin had gone to a distant village on work. He was late returning, and the golden rays of the sun started disappearing from the horizon. Being far from home, and being afraid of the impending dark, he quickened his step. Then, to his surprise, he saw a maiden of extraordinary beauty wearing a white sari, her long hair adorned with the sweet-smelling flowers of Saptaparni.

To his greater surprise, she approached him and in a sweet voice told him that she was late returning from her companion's home. As she was afraid of the dark, she pleaded with the Brahmin to accompany her home, just a short distance away.