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Ashoka Tree




  Name Ashoka tree
  Regnum Plantae
  Divisio Magnoliophyta
  Classis Magnoliopsida
  Ordo Fabales
  Familia Fabaceae
  Subfamilia Caesalpinioideae
  Tribus Detarieae
  Genus '' Saraca ''
  Species '''''S asoca'''''
  Binomial ''Saraca asoca''
  Binomial Authority (Roxb) Wilde


The Ashoka tree (lit., "sorrow-less") is a flowering tree considered sacred throughout India and Sri Lanka where it is found. It is prized for its beautiful foliage and Flower s. The Lord Buddha was born under this tree in Lumbini. Also Lord Mahavira renounced the world under the Ashoka tree in Vaishali. The Hindus regard it as sacred, being dedicated to Kama Deva , God of Love. The tree gets a mention in the Ramayana as the ''Ashoka Vatika'' (garden of Ashoka trees) where Hanuman first meets Sita .

The botanical name for the Ashoka Tree is ''Saraca Indica'' or Jonesia Ashok. It belongs to the Legume family and Genus '' Saraca ''. One of its varieties is a very handsome, small, erect Evergreen tree, with deep green foliage. Its flowers are very fragrant and are bright orange-yellow in color and later turn red. Found in the foothills of central and eastern Himalayas , almost all over the northern plains of India as well as on the west coast of Bombay , its flowering season is around April and May. Another of its variety is larger and highly spreading. The erect variety (which appears like a Poplar ) is extremely common in the gardens of modern Indian households.

Other names for the Ashoka Tree include: Anganapriya, Asogam, Asokada, Ashopalava, Asok, Ashok, Asoka, Asoka Tree, Asupala, Gandapushpa, Kankelli, Kenkalimara, Thawgabo, Vand ichitrah.