some useful links and Ashoka :-)

[sachin pandhare]

While i was looking for information on Ashoka tree i found some good websites:

 

http://www.asianflora.com/sommaire2.htm

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/

http://wc.pima.edu/~bfiero/tucsonecology/plants/

http://www.library.uiuc.edu/bix/fieldguides/trees.htm

 

Ashoka (from wikepedia):

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Tribe: Detarieae
Genus: Saraca
Species: S. asoca

 

Sachin

[J.M. Garg]

There is a confusion when we use Ashok as a common name. As the name Ashok is so entrenched for 'Polyalthia longifolia' ( other common names- Mast tree, Devdaru or Ashupal) in the memory of persons like me from North India. Pradip Krishen called 'Saraca asoca'  (two pictures enclosed) as Sita-Ashok to eliminate the confusion in his book.I don't have the pictures of Polyalthia longifolia at present.

For learning about our trees & plants, please visit http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en

[sachin pandhare]

hi Garg ji,

I agree with you, this was actually a starting point of our internal discussion.

attached are some pics to which we have been calling Ashoka since childhood :-)

I just wanted to clarify. are there two types of ashoka trees? if not what is the name for attached pics. I am posting them from some websites.

links:

http://www.seedman.com/image/z2605.jpg

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/11/26/images/2005112600470202.jpg

 

Sachin

 

[J.M. Garg]

Pictures you posted are of Polyalthia longifolia (we generally know as Ashok since childhood). The pictures I posted were of a tree of different genus i.e. Saraca (genus) asoca (species). Pradip Krishen has called it by a common name Sita-Ashok. But I believe many also know it by common name as simply Ashok, although there is no scientific close link between them.   

--
With regards,
J.M.Garg
"Enjoy every moment of your life"