ASHOKA TREE

ASHOKA TREE

Scientific Name: Saraca asoca

Common Name: Ashoka Tree (अशोक)

Family: Fabaceae / Leguminosae

Uses

1.Bark and flowers are used in Ayurveda.

2.Decoction of bark is used as a coolant and to treat bleeding disorders.

3.Offered in Hindu rituals; associated with love, fertility, and protection.

Fun Facts

1.The name Ashoka means “without sorrow”.

2.The tree is believed to be the site where Sita stayed during her captivity in the Ramayana.

3.Its flowers change color with age—yellow →orange →crimson

Cultural Significance

Sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is believed that Lord Buddha was born under an Ashoka tree.

Ecological Role

1.      Shade & Cooling: Dense evergreen canopy provides excellent shade and reduces urban heat.

2.      Bird Habitat: Flowers attract sunbirds, mynas, bulbuls, and bees for nectar; its branches provide nesting sites. 

3.      Soil Fertility: As a leguminous tree, it fixes nitrogen, improving soil quality.

4.      Carbon Sequestration: It captures significant CO₂, helping mitigate climate change.