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Monoon longifolium
Ashoka tree
Origin: Native to southern India and Sri Lanka.
Mike's
Opinion
"
The Ashoka tree is a magnificent representation of the remarkable variety and adaptability that can be found in the natural world. It enhances the beauty of any landscape it graces with its lush foliage and graceful appearance, in addition to providing shade; but its importance goes far beyond how beautiful it looks. Because of its strength and adaptability, Ashoka wood is highly valued and used in a variety of industries, including furniture making and construction. Furthermore, because it stabilizes soil and promotes biodiversity, the Ashoka tree is essential to environmental conservation. Its resilience and adaptability are highlighted by its capacity to flourish in a variety of climatic environments, from tropical to subtropical ones.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Annonaceae |
| Genus |
| Monoon |
| Species |
| longifolium |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 12a - 13b |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| Greater than 9a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H1a |
| Temperature (°C) |
| 14 - 36 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 57 - 96 |
| Height |
| 10 - 20 m |
| Spread |
| 5 - 7 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Ashoka is a fast–growing tree, generally 10 - 20 m tall, with a crown diameter up to 5 - 7 m. |
| Landscape |
| In India, the Monoon longifolium tree is highly valued both culturally and practically. Its leaves are frequently used as festive decor, underscoring the tree's cultural significance. This adaptable tree can be pruned into a variety of shapes and sizes, making it a focal point in gardens across the nation and enabling customized landscaping designs. Its lightweight, straight, and flexible trunks have been used historically in shipbuilding, leading to the name "Mast Tree". The tree's seeds produce oil with a variety of therapeutic uses, but these days its wood is mostly used to make pencils, boxes, and matchsticks. Studies have indicated that the oil exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-lipoxygenase properties, which may contribute to its potential medical advantages. |
| Cultivation |
| Monoon longifolium grows best in rich, well-drained soil that is placed in a sunny spot. Because of its exceptional resistance to drought, this species can thrive in areas with scarce water supplies. Planting individuals should be separated by 1.2 to 1.8 metres to enable adequate root growth and canopy expansion. There are several ways to propagate Monoon longifolium, such as air layering, stem cuttings, and seeds. These methods of propagation ensure the continuous development and spread of this hardy species by providing flexibility and alternatives for the propagation of new individuals. |
| Shape |
| Pyramidal. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| The straight trunk of the Monoon longifolium tree is covered in smooth, grey-brown bark, giving it an elegant and dignified appearance. Its smooth, glossy leaves range in length from 11 to 31 centimetres and in width from 2.5 to 8 centimetres. They have a lanceolate shape with clearly wavy margins. The base of the leaf can be rounded or wedge-shaped, but the tip is long and thin. When the leaves first appear, they are yellowish to light brown in colour. As they get older, they become a deep, dark green. In its native environment, the tree's remarkable combination of trunk, bark, and foliage features adds to its overall grace and aesthetic appeal. |
| Pests |
| Ashoka trees are renowned for having a comparatively high level of disease and pest resistance. Aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects are common garden pests that can occasionally infest these trees, so it's important to stay on the lookout for them. It is advised to treat infestations as soon as possible with neem oil or insecticidal soap, which are both efficient and eco-friendly methods of pest control. Gardeners can contribute to preserving the health and beauty of these cherished ornamental trees by closely monitoring the health of Ashoka trees and swiftly resolving any pest problems. |
| Habitat |
| The Ashoka plant prefers medium-to-deep soil that is high in organic matter for optimal growth. A pH of 5 to 7.5 would be ideal for the soil, which is slightly acidic to neutral. Furthermore, it's critical to guarantee that the soil drains properly in order to avoid waterlogging, which can result in root rot and other problems. For Ashoka trees to grow, loamy, sandy loamy, or clay-loamy soil types are ideal because they require rich soil that has a balanced amount of nutrients. Gardeners can encourage the best possible development and vigour of Ashoka trees in their landscape by creating the right soil conditions. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| The tree is elegant and distinguished-looking, with a straight trunk covered in smooth, brownish-grey bark. This characteristic demonstrates the tree's tenacity and resilience in addition to enhancing its aesthetic appeal. |
| Leaf Description |
| The leaves of this plant undergo a noticeable colour change as they mature, starting with a coppery brown hue and transitioning to light green before ultimately becoming dark green. These lanceolate leaves feature distinct wavy edges, adding to their visual appeal. Additionally, they serve as the primary food source for larvae of the tailed jay and kite swallowtail butterflies. The leaves themselves are smooth and glossy, typically measuring between 11 to 31 centimetres in length and 2.5 to 8 centimetres in width. They possess a slender tip and may have either a wedge-shaped or rounded base. |
| Flower Description |
| In spring, the tree showcases its beauty with the emergence of delicate star-like pale green flowers, captivating observers with its stunning display. The flowering season is relatively short-lived, spanning a period of just two to three weeks. Despite its brevity, this spectacle is a testament to the tree's vitality and serves as a reminder of the fleeting yet enchanting moments that nature offers us. |
| Fruit Description |
| The tree produces clusters of fruit as the season goes on, each with ten to twenty individual fruits. When these fruits are fully ripe, their original green colour changes to either purple or black. A variety of wildlife, including birds like the Asian koel and fruit bats like flying foxes eat the ripe fruits. This interaction demonstrates how the tree, by giving food to wildlife during the fruiting season, supports the local ecosystems. |
| Propagation |
| The Ashoka plant is primarily propagated through seeds, which typically take 2 to 3 weeks to germinate. However, other propagation techniques such as softwood cutting and air layering can also be employed successfully. To propagate from seeds, ripe fruits are collected and allowed to soften in an open environment. Once softened, the seeds are extracted and cleaned to remove any soil residue before being air-dried under shade. Young seedlings are then nurtured in nurseries for approximately one year before being transplanted into their permanent growing locations. This process ensures the healthy establishment of Ashoka trees and contributes to their successful growth and development. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| The Monoon longifolium tree holds significant medicinal value in various regions of India and Bangladesh, where different parts of the plant are utilized to treat a wide array of ailments. In South Indian regions like Vellore and Uthiramerur, the leaves and stem bark are employed to address conditions such as fever, gonorrhea, uterus ailments, mouth ulcers, and indigestion. Similarly, in the Manchale area of Karnataka and the Eastern Ghats, the stem bark is utilized to prevent abortion in pregnant women and as a bandage for bone fractures, respectively. In West Indian regions like Danta and Bankura, the stem bark is utilized in the treatment of gonorrhea, diabetes, and hypertension. Additionally, in central Indian regions like Khargone, the stem bark is used to treat malignant tumors. In Bangladesh, the roots of Monoon longifolium are combined with other plant parts to treat snakebites. Furthermore, extracts from the leaves of Monoon longifolium exhibit a plethora of medicinal uses. |
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