aeeble

The tree itself is a *Solanum khasianum* (also known as the eggplant tree). Locally, there is a folk tale about Emperor Jia Qing’s visit to Taiwan. According to the story, as Jia Qing was walking alone beneath this great tree, he was ambushed by bandits. Suddenly, a mysterious figure in a red robe descended from the branches and repelled the attackers. In another version of the tale, Jia Qing used this very tree as an umbrella to seek shelter from the rain. For this reason, the tree was enshrined as the “Tree King.” Because its lush foliage resembles a canopy, it is also nicknamed the “Cool Umbrella Tree King.”