[4][10] Its genus name Oroxylum comes from Greek words ὄρος oros 'mountain' and ξύλον xylon 'wood', its epithet means "from India".

[7][3]: 129  They form enormous seed pods – the fruits – are up to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) long that hang down from bare branches, resembling swords.

[7][14] The long fruits curve downward and resemble the wings of a large bird or dangling sickles or swords in the night, giving the name "tree of Damocles".

[15] Oroxylum indicum is native to the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayan foothills with a part extending to Bhutan and southern China, Indochina and the Malesia regions.

[citation needed] In Vietnam, the tree is called núc nác (sometimes sò đo), and specimens can be found in Cat Tien National Park.

It is found, raised and planted in large number in the forest areas of the Banswara district in the state of Rajasthan in India.

[citation needed] Various segments of O. indicum, including leaves, root bark, heartwood, and seeds, contain diverse phytochemicals, such as prunetin, sitosterol, oroxindin, oroxylin-A, biochanin-A, ellagic acid, tetuin, anthraquinone, and emodin.

[21] Known as karongkandai among the Bodos of north east India, its flowers and fruit are eaten as a bitter side dish with rice.

The young pods are cut open raw and the tender seeds inside, having the color and texture of lettuce leaves, are used in various local dishes.

[25] Because the pods are shaped like swords, people in West Java believe planting oroxylum trees can protect their homes from thieves.