ODISHA State Tree: Ashwatha (Odiya) Botanical Name: …bsienvis.nic.in/State_trees/Odisha State...
Transcript of ODISHA State Tree: Ashwatha (Odiya) Botanical Name: …bsienvis.nic.in/State_trees/Odisha State...
Habit Fruiting twig
ODISHA
State Tree: Ashwatha (Odiya)
Botanical Name: Ficus religiosa L.
Family: Moraceae
Common Names: Bodhi Tree, Holy Tree, Peepal Tree, Sacred Fig (English); Pipal, Pipli (Hindi); Arali
(Kannada); Ashwatha, Pippala (Sanskrit); Arasa, Arasu (Tamil); Bodhi-drumamu, Raavi (Telugu).
Etymology: Ficus is the ancient Latin name for pear-like multiple fruits, figs, and religiosa refers to the
sacred status of the tree.
Botanical Description: A large or medium-sized tree, to 20 m tall with spreading branches and pale
white bark. Leaves simple, alternate, triangular-ovate or suborbicular, truncate to subcordate at base,
entire or undulate at margins, caudate at apex, 4 – 15 × 4 – 11 cm, reddish brown when young later
greenish; lateral nerves 5 – 9 pairs, webbing near margin; stipules deltoid-acuminate, 8 – 12 mm long,
yellowish brown. Figs or hypanthodia in axillary pairs, sessile, depressed-globose, 1 – 1.2 cm in diam.,
yellowish green, dark-purple on maturity.
Flowering & Fruiting: May – August.
Range of Distribution: India (throughout the country; largely planted as an avenue and roadside tree
especially near temples), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar and Thailand and
introduced and cultivated in Southeast Asia, Middle East, North Africa and America.
Economic Importance: The leaves and twigs are lopped for cattle and goats. The wood is used for
packing cases and in sacrificial fires by Hindus.
Traditional Uses: The tree is worshiped by the Hindus and Buddhists. The wood is used in sacrificial
fires by Hindus.
Medicinal Uses: Traditionally the bark is used in the treatment of gonorrhea, ulcers, and the leaves
used for skin diseases. Bark also has antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antiviral, astringent, antidiarrhoeal
properties. Latex is used as a tonic. Leaves and tender shoots are used as purgative and in skin
diseases. Leaves reported to have antivenom activity. Fruits are used as laxative, and fruit powder is
used in asthma.
L. Rasingam
Botanical Survey of India, Deccan Regional Centre, Hyderabad.