Plant specifications

Plant Materials

Submitted by-Abhiniti Garg

Anurag KamalKavita

Navdha KabraSonali

STATE COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

Andhra Pradesh Neem Azadirachta indica

Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand Sal Shorea robusta

Gujarat Mango Mangifera indica

Himachal Pradesh Deodar Cedrus deodara

Karnataka Sandalwood Santalum album

Kerala Coconut Cocos nucifera

Lakshadweep Bread fruit Artocarpus altilis

Meghalaya White teak Gmelina arborea

Madhya Pradesh Banyan Ficus benghalensis

Maharashtra Mango Mangifera indica

Uttar Pradesh Ashoka tree Saraca asoca

Mizoram Iron wood Mesua ferrea

Odisha Ashwatha Ficus religiosa

Manipur Indian Mahogany Toona ciliata

BANYAN TREE• Other names : Bargad, Bor, Ber, Ala and Pedda mari, Nayagrodha, Ala

mara, Bar, Vad, Vatnam, Bahupada, Peddamarri, Al are the other names used for the Banyan tree. Indians call it a wish fulfilling tree.

Description : Banyan tree is a huge tree with very extensive branches. It is said that at one time more than 10, 000 people can sit under its shade at one time. It is a evergreen tree. It branches spread out and send trunk like roots to the ground in order to support itself. It grows to a height of more than 21 meters and lives for many years. The leaves are 10 -20 cm long and has many aerial roots. The leaves are broad, oval and glossy.

White milky fluid oozes out of leaves, if broken. It can grow in to the giant tree covering several hectares.

• Medicinal uses : The Banyan tree also has several medicinal properties. Its leaf, bark, seeds and fig are used for the variety of disorders like diarrhoea, polyuria, dental, diabetes and urine disorders. The wood of the Banyan tree is used in making door panels, boxes and the other items. Its bark is used for making paper and ropes. The milky latex that comes from its leaves and stems is used in many Ayurvedic medicines.

Other uses : In India its edible leaves are used as the plates. It is planted for the soil conservation. Wood is used for well curbs, door panels, boxes, furniture etc. It is suitable for paper pulp. The wood of the aerial roots is stronger and is used for the tent poles and cart yokes.

Cultural importance : Banyan tree is respected and is considered as sacred by the people in India. In the sacred Hindu Book 'Bhagwad Gita' Lord Krishna has sung praises on the Banyan tree. People in India grow Banyan tree closer to the Peepal tree. As Banyan tree is considered as the male plant closely related to the Peepal tree. It symbolize Trimurti with Vishnu as the barl, Shiva as the branches and Brahma as the roots. Indians considered Banyan tree as 'Kalpa Vriksha' the tree that fulfil all your wishes. The mighty Banyan Tree is considered as immortal and has always been the focal point for the village communities in India. It is probably the biggest and friendliest of all trees. Banyan tree is the tree of knowledge and tree of life.

PEEPAL• Other names : Bo tree, Bodhi tree, Sacred tree, Beepul tree, Pipers, Pimpal, Jari,

Arani,Ashvattha, Ragi, Bodhidruma, Shuchidruma, Pipalla, Ashvattha and the Buddha tree are the other names used for the Banyan tree.

Description : Peepal is a large, fast growing deciduous tree. It has a heart shaped leaves. It is a medium size tree and has a large crown with the wonderful wide spreading branches. It shed its leaves in the month of March and April. The fruits of the Peepal are hidden with the figs. The figs are ripen in the month of May. The figs which contain the flowers grow in pairs just below the leaves and

look like the berries. Its bark is light gray and peels in patches. Its fruit is purple in colour. It is one of the longest living trees.

• Medicinal uses : This tree of life has also got the medicinal value. The juice of its leaves extracted by holding them near the fire can be used as the ear drop. Its power bark has been used to heal the wounds for years. The bark of the tree is useful in inflammations and glandular swelling of the neck. Its root bark is useful for stomatitis, clean ulcers, and promotes granulations. Its roots are also good for gout. The roots are even chewed to prevent gum diseases. Its fruit is laxative which promotes digestion and checks vomiting. Its ripe fruits are good for the foul taste, thirst and heart diseases. The powered fruit is taken for Asthma. Its seeds have proved useful in urinary troubles. The leaves are used to treat constipation.

Other uses : People in India collect the Peepal leaves, clean them, dry them and than paint them with the gold acrylic in order to preserve them for years. From the bark of the Peepal tree reddish dye is extracted. Its leaves are used to feed the camels and the elephants. When the leaves are dried they are used for the decoration purpose.

Cultural importance : Peepal tree has the great importance in India especially among the Buddhist who regard Peepal tree as the personification of Buddha. Lord Buddha attained enlightenment mediating under the Peepal tree. It is regarded as the sacred tree and the people uses its leaves for the religious purposes. According to the Buddha – 'He who worships the Peepal tree will receive the same reward as if he worshiped me in person'. The Peepal tree has its own symbolic meaning of Enlightenment and peace. People tie threads of white, red and yellow silk around it to pray for progeny and rewarding parenthood. Hindus in India holds the great spiritual regard for the Peepal Tree, they regard it as the tree beneath which Vishnu was born.

NEEM TREE• Other names : It is popularly known as the miracle tree. It is known as

Nimba in India. The Sanskrit name of Neem is Arishtha meaning the reliever of the sickness. Margosa tree

Description : It is a tall evergreen tree with the small bright green leaves. It is up to 100 feet tall. It blossoms in spring with the small white flowers. It has a straight trunk. Its bark is hard rough and scaly, fissured even in small trees. The colour of the bark is brown grayish. The leaves are alternate and consists of several leaflets with serrated edges. Its flowers are small and white in colour. The loive like edible fruit is oval,

round and thin skinned.

• Medicinal uses : The indigenous people of Nilgiris consume the dried and powered tubulers of the terrestrial orchids as an energizing tonic. Neem also holds medicinal value. Each part of neem is used in the medicines. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicines for more than 4000 years. Neem oil extracted from its seeds is used in medicines, pest control and cosmetics etc. Its leaves are used in the treat Chickenpox.. According to the Hindus, it is believed that the Goddess of the chickenpox, Sithala lives in the Neem tree. Neem tea is usually taken to reduce the headache and fever. Its flowers are used to cure intestinal problems. Neem bark acts as an analgesic and can cure high fever as of malaria. Even the skin diseases can be cured from the Neem leaves. Indians even believe that the Neem can even purify diseases.

Other uses : People in India use its twigs to brush their teeth. Neem is considered as the useful tree in rehabilitating the waste land areas. Neem seed pulp is useful for methane gas production. It is also useful as carbohydrate which is rich base for other industrial fermentations. Neem bark contains tannins which are used in tanning and dyeing. In south India its wood is used to make the furniture. The bark of the yields the fiber that is woven into ropes. Neem cake is widely used in India as fertilizer for sugarcane, vegetable and other cash crops. Many countries have been consistently growing the Neem tree against the global warming. The worldwide Neem Foundation has helped in making the people aware about the importance of neem and its uses globally.

Cultural Importance : One can find Neem in almost all the parts of India. It is said that planting Neem tree in the house is a ensured passage to heaven. Its leaves are stung on the main entrance to remain away from the evil spirits. Brides take bath in the water filled with the Neem leaves. Newly born babies are laid upon the Neem leaves to provide them with the protective aura. Neem gives out more oxygen than other trees. The neem tree is also connected with the Sun, in the story of Neembark 'The Sun in the Neem tree'. Neem is the wonder tree and finds mention in the number of ancient texts.

INDIAN MAHOGANY• Other names : Mahogany, West Indian Mahogany, Spanish mahogany,

Madeira redwood, acajou, caoba, caoba de Santo, cheria mahogany, Cuban mahogany, American mahogany, True mahogany, small leaf mahogany, Dominican mahogany are some of the other names of Indian Mahogany.

Description : Indian Mahogany grow up to the height of 30 -40 feet. It is fast upright growing tree with abroad rounded symmetrical crown. It is 20 -30 feet in spread. The fruit is a large greenish brown capsule, splitting into 5 parts relwasing flat, long winged, light brown seeds. Its wood is red brown in colour. Both the male and the female flowers are produced on the same plant. The bark is smooth dark brown in colour. The leaves are

pinnate which are 12 -25 cm long, with four to eight leaflets.

• Cultivation methods :Indian Mahogany is mostly propagated through seeds. It requires partial shade or full Sun for its growth. It needs water periodically. It looses its leaves at the end of the winter. The new leaves start growing after two three weeks. The new leaves are reddish purple in colour, which turn yellow green afterwards.

Medicinal uses : The bark extracts are used as an astringent for wounds. It is used to cure malaria, anemia diarrhea, fever, dysentery and depurative. The leaves contain several limonoids; seven phragmalin limonoids of swietephragmins A-G as well two other different types of 2-hydroxy-3-O-tigloylswietenolide and deacetylsecomahoganin.

Other uses : Its wood is used in making furniture, fixtures, musical instruments, inlay, boat, caskets and many more. Its wood is a very popular material for drum making.

SAL TREE• Other names : Shala, Sarai, Sargi, Salwa, Sakhu, Sakher, Shal,

Kandar and Sakwa are the other names used for the Sal tree.

Description : Sal is a large sub deciduous tree. It is up to 30 meter high. Sal tree is seldom completely leafless. It has large leathery leaves and yellowish flowers. They have tough texture. Young trees have a linear crown, which becomes rounder and flatter with aging. The sapwood is whitish in colour, thick and is less durable. The heartwood becomes dark brown to black in colour on exposure. The wood

pores are filled with resin.

• Medicinal uses : The resin is used in the indigenous system of medicine as an astringent and detergent and is given in diarrhea and dysentery. It is also used as an ingredient of ointments for skin diseases and in the ear troubles. It is also used in the foot care cream. The fruits of the Sal tree are used in the treatment of excessive salivation, epilepsy, and chlorosis. The powered seeds have insecticides properties. The powered seeds are even used to treat dental problems. It cleanses the skin of oily secretion and is used as the cleanser for washing hair.

Other uses : The leaves of the Sal tree are used by the tribal people for preparing rice cakes and for smoking. The leaves are used to make platters, bowls, small baskets and many more. Distilled leaves produce an oil which is used in perfumery. It is also used in flavouing chewing gums and tobacco. Its dried and fallen leaves are used as fertilizers. It is used for caulking ships and boats. The oil that comes out from its seed is edible and is known as Sal butter. It is often used in cooking and for the burning in the oil lamps. The seeds of the Sal tree are used for fat extraction. Its oil is even used for adulterating ghee. Tribal people give marriage invitation in the form of folded Sal leaves, with the little bit of turmeric and rice inside it.

Cultural Importance : Sal tree is worshiped among the Buddhist and Hindus in India. It is mentioned in many scriptures that the Buddha was born and died under the Sal tree. A branch of the tree bend down to support his mother Maya and as soon as he held on the tree, the baby appeared. Sal tree has special significance in the festivals and marriages of Adivasi. A pole of the Sal tree is considered very important and unless the bridegroom sits on the altar made of tree of Sal, the marriage has no meaning. It also holds great value in the lives of the indigenous populance of Chotanagpur plateau. It is the main attraction of the festival of Sarhul, which means Sal Blossoms Festival. The whole festival revolves round the Sal tree.

BANYAN TREE PEEPAL NEEM TREE INDIAN MAHOGANY

SAL TREE

Other names Bargad, Bor, Ber, Ala and Pedda mari

Jari, Arani,Ashvattha, Ragi

Nimba, Arishtha,Margosa

West Indian Mahogany, acajou, caoba

Shala, Sarai, Sargi, Salwa

Description evergreen tree, More than 21m tall

a large, fast growing deciduous tree

evergreen tree, up to 100 feet tall

grow up to the height of 30 -40 feet.

large sub deciduous tree, up to 30m high

Medicinal uses (used for the disorders like)

diarrhoea, polyuria, dental, diabetes

glandular swelling of the neckand heart diseases

Chickenpoxreduce the headache and fever

malaria, anaemia diarrhoea, fever, dysentery and depurative

excessive salivation, epilepsy, chlorosis

Other uses Has edible leaves andsoil is conserved

Dried leaves are used for decoration purpose

twigs to brush teeth, against the global warming

wood is used for furniture, musical instruments

Its dried and fallen leaves are used as fertilizers

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Range of tree sizesDwarf trees (3 to 5m tall) - Albizia lebbek, Bisantha, Bixca orellana

Medium size (6 to 10m tall) - Caesalpinia, Lagerstromia throreli, Melia azadirach

Tall tress (more than110 m tall) - Peltophorum roxburghii, Bombax malabaricum

Giant trees - Ficus bengalensis, Bombax ceiba

Growth Habits of TreesShape Suitable for - Examples-Oval These plants are suitable for

frame or screenPopulus alba, Albizzia julibrissin

Vase shaped They can be used above the large shrubs or smalltrees

Melia azadirach, Plumeria acutifolia. P.alba. P.obtusa

Pyramidal It can be used as an accent plant Pinus roxburghii, Araucaria cooki

Round These plants can be used in the lawn as specimen

Plumeria alba,Chorisia speciosa

Columnar They frame the views and structure in the landscapesetting

Juniperus chinensis, Betula pendula

Weeping It can be used as a focal point Salix Babylonica, S. alba. Putranjiva roxburghii

Round to spreading These plants mass well to create grove effect

Dalbergia sisso, Dillenia Indica

Fan shaped They can be used as a focal point

Cycus revoluta, Borassus fladellifer

Types of Plants

Flowering Plants – for attractive flowers

Foliage Plants – for shape and colour of their leaves

Succulent Plants – have fleshly leaves or stems that store water

Ferns - are non flowering plants