Common Names:  Indian Mast Tree, False Ashoka

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     Polyalthia longifolia is a beautiful lofty evergreen found in India and Sri Lanka  It is most commonly used as an ornamental street tree due to its effectiveness in combating noise pollution. It exhibits symmetrical pyramidal growth with willowy weeping pendulous branches, long narrow leaves with undulate margins. It can reach a height of over 40ft. and exhibits drought-tolerance making it suitable for xeriscaping.
 

     Fresh leaves are a coppery brown color and are soft and delicate to touch, as the leaves grow older the color becomes a light green and finally a dark green.

     In spring the tree is covered with delicate star-like pale green flowers followed by seeds which are initially green but turn purple or black when ripe.

Why do we like the Mast tree? Sharon's Plants top picks why.

1) It is a narrow tree suitable for replacing the Verticle Wiliwili in Hawaii.

2) It reaches a height of over 40ft. but can be trimmed to a lower height making it very versatile for privacy screening.

3) It has been rated as non invasive in Hawaii!

4) It can be planted closely together 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) to make a virtual wall of greenery.

5) It has lush green foliage and unlike the Vertlile Wiliwili is not deciduous.

6) It has none invasive roots and can be planted as a street tree

7) It can be used as a barrier to reduce street noise.

8) It  grows successfully in medium to heavy clay soils.

9) Exhibits drought-tolerance making it suitable for xeriscaping

10) Anti-graffiti! It's a solution to defer reoccurring graffiti on your walls. See Below.

Newly Planted Ashoka Trees 08/2008

Location: Kilauea off ramp, Kahala (across from Petland and Umeke Market)

BOTANICAL NAME: = SARACA INDICA , HINDI= ASHOK, SANSKRIT= ASHOKA

Common Names: Sorrowless Tree of India

     Ashoka is one of the most legendary and sacred trees of India, and one of the most fascinating flowers in the Indian range of flower essences. It belongs to Caesalpaeniaceae family. It is a very handsome, small, erect evergreen tree, with deep green foliage and very fragrant, bright orange-yellow flowers, which later turn red. The flowering season is around April and May. It is found in central and eastern Himalayas as well as on the west coast of Bombay.

     Ashoka is a Sanskrit word meaning without grief or that which gives no grief. Of course, the tree has many other names in local languages as well. One such name means the tree of love blossoms. The Hindus regard it as sacred, being dedicated to Kama Deva, God of Love. The tree is a symbol of love. Its beautiful, delicately perfumed flowers are used in temple decoration. There are also festivals associated with this flower. Lord Buddha was born under the Ashoka tree, so it is planted in Buddhist monasteries.

HISTORICAL ASPECTS : In the Ramayana, one of the books of Hindu mythology,
there is mention of Ashoka tree.
Ashoka means "without sorrow", a reference to this bark's reputation
for keeping women healthy and youthful.
Buddha was said to be born under this tree.

HABITAT: Saraca Indica is grown all over India. It occur upto the
altitudes 600 metres. It is cultivated in many gardens because of
its decorative orange red flowers and evergreen beautiful foliage.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: Leaves are narrowly lanceolate 15.25 cms long cork like at the base and with a short petiole.
Stipules are intra-petiolar and completely united.
Flowers are fragrant. They are 7.5-10 cms across.
Calyx is yellow to orange and finally red.
Its stamens are 7 to 8. The filaments are filiform.
The bark of saraca indica is distinguished by presence of wartyprotuberances on its outer surface.

PHYTOCHEMISTRY: The bark contains tannin, catechol, sterol, and organic calciumcompounds.