A group of elder ladies were seen using sickles to chop off branches of the sophora japonica trees in Ancient Shang Dynasty City Ruins Park in central China’s Zhengzhou city, only to collect the sophora flower buds on the branches.

The sophora flower buds were barely bloomed and way from blossom in this season, yet it couldn’t stop the ladies from brutally collecting them. Sophia flower buds are used in the practice of Chinese medicine, and sometimes for used in seasonal dishes for their fragrant tastes. They are usually reaped just before the tree comes into bloom then dried in the sun for use. 

Brunches were deserted after flowers on them had been harvested.

File photo: Sophora japonica flowers