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Saraca asoca - (Roxb.) W.J.de Wilde

Common Name Asoka Tree. Sorrow-less Tree
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Lowland forests at elevations up to 500 metres[451 ].
Range E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Saraca asoca Asoka Tree. Sorrow-less Tree


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Saraca asoca Asoka Tree. Sorrow-less Tree
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Saraca asoca is an evergreen Tree growing to 9 m (29ft) by 9 m (29ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Jonesia asoca Roxb.

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The following uses are listed for S. Indica. It is quite likely that they apply here, either instead of or as well as under S. Indica[K ]. The bark is a very popular herb in Ayurveda, where it is said to be particularly useful for treating the female reproductive system[304 ]. It is strongly astringent and a uterine sedative[304 ]. It is said to have a stimulating effect on uterine and ovarian tissue[304 , 362 ]. It is said to be useful in the treatment of several ailments including menstrual cramps; some cases of uterine bleeding; uterine fibroids; haemorrhoids, and internal bleeding[304 , 362 ]. The bark contains tannins and catechol[240 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fodder

Prized for its beautiful foliage and fragrant flowers. The ashoka tree is considered sacred throughout the Indian subcontinent, especially in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. This tree has many folklorical, religious and literary associations in the region. Nitrogen Fiver. Fodder: Pod.

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Fodder: Pod  Management: Standard  Regional Crop

Humid Tropics. A rain-forest tree. Understorey tree along stream in evergreen to semi-evergreen forests up to 600 m.

Carbon Farming

  • Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
  • Fodder: Pod  Fodder plants with pods.
  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Assamese: Ashok-goch, Ashok, Ahok. English: Ashok tree, Ashokam. Gujarati: Ashopalava. Hindi: Sita Ashok, Ashok. Kannada: Achenge. Karbi. Mir krem. Malayalam: Hemapushpam, Ashokam. Marathi: Jasundi. Others: Sita Ashok, Sorrowless Tree. Tamil: Asogam, Ashoka Tree. Telugu: Asokamu.

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Vulnerable B1+2c

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Roxb.) W.J.de Wilde

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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