Childlife Tree or Putranjeeva

Putranjiva roxburghii

Name

Marathi: पुत्रजीवी

Biological Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Spermatophyta
Sub-Division: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Sub-Class: Monochlamydeae
Series: Unisexuales
Order: --
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Sub-Family: --
Genus: Putranjiva
Species: roxburghii

Advantages

  • It is commonly cultivated in gardens and along roadsides for its foliage.
  • The tree provides good shade.

Interesting Facts

  • The Genus name "Putranjiva" is derived from Sanskrit words "Putra" meaning "Son" and "jiva" meaning life, which refers to some beliefs about the tree's ability to promote fertility and help couples conceive.
  • The tree is most often mistaken for False Ashoka tree, due to similar structure of leaves.

Description

  • The leaves are alternate and elliptic with wavy margin.
  • It flowers from March to May.
  • The tree is now placed under a separate family called Putranjivaceae.
  • Putranjiva roxburghii Wall.