| General Description | The name “Ashoka” is derived from Sanskrit word meaning “without
sorrow” or “no grief”, reflecting the tree’s association with joy and happiness. The Ashoka tree is also historically significant, as it is said to have been planted by Queen Ashoka, the wife of emperor Ashoka, in the Indian epic Ramayana. |
| ID Characteristic | Bark on old stems is dark green in colour, often marked by bluish and ash
white patches of lichen. |
| Shape | Broad and dense crown. |
| Propagation | Mature seeds are collected from 5-6-year-old plants in December to January. |
| Cultivation | Well-draining soil is crucial for Ashoka cultivation. Sandy loam or loamy soil with organic matter is ideal. |
| Pests | No serious pest or disease is observed in this crop. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Stem bark of Ashoka tree is strongly astringent and acts as a uterine sedative, uterine tonic, and styptic, having a stimulating effect on endometrial and ovarian tissue. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | The leaf bud of the Ashoka tree is typically small. Pointed structures that develop at the nodes of branches. |
| Leaf Description | The leaf of the Ashoka tree is compound with multiple leaflets arranged along a central stem. |
| Flower Description | Flowers are orange to orange-yellow in colour. The flowers are arranged in
branched inflorescences, forming dense clusters. |
| Fruit Description | Fruit is four to eight seeded, flat and black coloured. The elongated seed pods develop after the flowers have been pollinated. |