Botanical Name - Polyalthia longifolia

----- P. longifolia, Benth. and Hook. fil. F.B.I. I-62. Brandi's Ind. Trees, 15. Gamble's Ind. Timbers, 18. Vern. Asoka, Devadaru, Tel.

----- A large evergreen tree, entirely glabrous. Bark smoth-dark-greyish brown. Leaves lanceolate, long-acuminate, undulate, pellucid-dotted, 5-8 by 1-2 in.; petiole 1/4 - 1/3 in. Flowers numerous, yellowish-green, on long slender pedicles, in sessile or shortly pedunculate umbels. Petals narrow-linear 3/4 - 1 in. long from a broad base, spreading. Sepals broad, short. Ripe carpels ovoid, 3/4 in., stalk 1 1/2 in. long.

----- As its native name indicates, this tree is greatly valued by Hindus and planted near temples by them. Elsewhere cultivated as an ornamental tree, as which, it is undoubtedly one of the finest in India. Not found in the tough and bends easily. Weight 37 lbs per c. ft. Seeds ripens from July to August. Ripe seeds should be soon without storing for the cultivation of this species.