Dilip Walse Patil

Scientific Name : Saraca asoca (Roxb.) W.J.de Wilde

Category : Angiosperms

Status : Alive

Habit : A small evergreen tree. Leaves : Paripinnate, drooing, leaflets 4-6 pairs, opposite, oblong-lanceolate, acute, base rounded, stipules intrapetiolar, young leaves red in colour, thin and flaccid and hairy, vertically down. Inflorescence : Axillary corymbs. Flowers : Fragrant, pedicellate, pedicels red, bracteates, bracts red, ovate, bracteoles two, also red. Calyx petaloid, tubular, changing from yellow to orange and red, segments 4, imbricate. Petals absent. Stamens 7-8, much exserted, anthers purple, versatile. Ovary hairy, style curved, long, stigma capitate. Fruit : Pod linear-oblong, compressed, 4-8 seeded. Flowering and Fruiting Time : January - May Significance : It is one of the sacred trees of Hindus and worshipped on the 13th day of the month of Chaitra. The tree is very handsome on account of the beauty and perfume of its flowers. The tree is the symbol of love and is dedicated to kama. It is under this tree, that Gautam Buddha was born. The bark decoction is much used in uterine affections and especially in menorrhagia.