W.J. de Wilde. Common Names: Oshok (Bengali); Ashoka (English); Ashoka, Asok (Hindi);. Anganapriya, Ashoka, Sita-Ashoka (Sanskrit); Asogam (Tamil).
UTTAR PRA PRADESH RADESH State Tree: Tree Ashoka. Botanical Name: Name Saraca asoca (Roxb.) W.J. de Wilde Common
Names: Names
Oshok
(Bengali);
Ashoka
(English);
Ashoka,
Asok
(Hindi);
generic
epithet
Anganapriya, Ashoka, Sita-Ashoka (Sanskrit); Asogam (Tamil). Family: Family Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae. Etymology: Etymology
The
‘Saraca Saraca’ Saraca’ is derived from Sanskrit word, ‘sara’ meaning coloured or spotted and the specific epithet is also derived from Sanskrit word, ‘asoca’ refers to sorrow less. Description: Description Evergreen tree, 6 – 9 m high. Leaves paripinnate; leaflets 6 – 12, oblong, 15 – 20 cm long. Flowers in dense axillary corymbs of 7 – 10 cm across, very fragrant, bright
orange
or
orange-yellow.
Calyx tube orange-yellow. Petals absent. Saraca asoca (Roxb.) W.J. de Wilde
Stamens
exserted.
Pods
oblong, beaked at apex, 10 – 25 × 4 – 5 cm, flat, leathery, coppery red,
turning black on maturity; seeds 4 – 8, ellipsoid-oblong, compressed.
Flowering: Flowering January – April; Fruiting: Fruiting March – September. Distribution: Distribution It is native to India and Sri Lanka. In India, it occurs in the forests of south and central Western Ghats, central and Eastern Himalayas, Khasi, Garo and Lushai hills, and also grown in gardens. It is also distributed in Myanmar and Malaya. Economic Importance: Importance Wood is used for making ploughs and shafts and also for house building purposes. Pods are reported as very good forage for cattle. It is frequently grown as an ornamental and avenue tree throughout India. Traditional Uses: Uses Ashoka tree is one of the most sacred trees of the Hindus and Buddhists. religious
Flowers ceremonies
are
used
and
in
during temple
decorations. In Assam, fruits are chewed as a substitute for areca-nuts. In West Bengal women eat the flower buds on Ashok Shasthi day, and there is a belief that by drinking the water soaked with
Saraca asoca (Roxb.) W.J. de Wilde – Flowering twig
ashoka flowers will protect their children from worry and grief. Medicinal Uses: Uses Bark is reported to cure biliousness, dyspepsia, dysentery, colic, piles, ulcers and pimples. Leaves possess blood purifying properties and their juice mixed with cumin seeds is used for stomach-ache. Flowers are considered an excellent uterine tonic. Drinking the water soaked overnight with asoka flowers in empty stomach in the morning will reduce diabetes. It is also used in Ayurveda.
Conservation Conservation: ervation It has become threatened in wild due to loss of habitat, and has been categorised as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Propagation: Propagation It can easily be propagated through seeds.
K.S. Dogra Botanic Garden of Indian Republic, Botanical Survey of India, Noida.
