Saraca dives Seeds | Asoka Tree
LATIN NAME: Saraca dives
COMMON NAME: Asoka Tree
Plant Profile
Saraca dives, commonly known as Asoka Tree, is a handsome, upright, spreading, evergreen tree in the pea family, native to warm forests of south and the south-eastern Asia, while it is treasured for its fine flowers. In pea family it is orange-flowered tree of temple garden, a species whose dense, rounded heads of blossom carry a long and gentle history in south of Asia. At maturity it stands about Ten metres. Its appeal to pollinating insects adds a second, ecological layer to its ornamental one. The ratio of effort to reward here is about as good as gardening gets.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Saraca dives ranges from the botany of the pea family to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. Asoka tree appears across ethnobotany papers of the south Asia, where its long history of veneration and of use in traditional ways has kept researchers interested for years. Gardeners benefit directly from its long cultivation: what the plant will do in a garden is well understood.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Asoka Tree has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. In warm garden, asoka tree is orange-flowered tree of sheltered corner. Its rounded heads of fragrant flowers feed bees, its long, flat pods feed birds and wildlife, and glossy, evergreen crown gives garden shade and shelter through the year. Long history of veneration keeps tree close to hearts of region, and it grows well in warm, moist, well-drained ground. Once it has settled, the workload drops to almost nothing.
The ashoka tree is sacred to Indian tradition and its bark, Ashoka, is a major Ayurvedic women’s herb for menstrual comfort; its saffron-orange flowers are temple offerings.
Growing from Seed
Asoka Tree grows readily from seed. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in bright light until the seedlings are well up. Pot the young plants on as they grow, harden them off gradually, and plant them into their final positions when sturdy.
Our Take
Within its genus it stands out for garden reliability. It forms a handsome, upright, spreading, evergreen tree, which makes spacing and siting straightforward. Sun and good drainage cover most of its demands.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Asoka Tree often pair it with these related subjects: