True Ashoka Tree
Saraca indica
Name
| Marathi: | सीता अशोक |
Biological Classification
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Spermatophyta |
| Sub-Division: | Angiospermae |
| Class: | Dicotyledonae |
| Sub-Class: | Polypetalae |
| Series: | Calyciflorae |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Leguminosae |
| Sub-Family: | Caesalpiniaceae |
| Genus: | Saraca |
| Species: | indica |
Advantages
- It is one of the most sacred having cultural and religious significance, In Maharashtra it is worshipped on the 13th Day of the month of Chaitra.
- The bark decoction is much used in uterine infections and especially in menorrhagia.
Interesting Facts
- In the epic Ramayana, Goddess Sita, God Rama's wife was believed to have taken refuge under the Ashoka tree while in captivity in Lanka.
- It has great medicinal value and is the True Ashoka tree, the False one being Monoon longifolium.
Description
- It is a small evergreen tree with paripinnate leaves.
- The flowers are yellow to orange and bloom in the months of January to May.
- Saraca indica L.
