Yellow Ashok

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• asoka-tree
• ashok
• asoca

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Jonesia minor
• Jonesia pinnata
• Saraca kunstleri
• Saraca harmandiana
• Saraca lobbiana
• Saraca minor
• Saraca pierreana
• Saraca arborescens
• Saraca bijuga

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the Fabaceae family, falling under the genus Saraca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across multiple continents. In Northern Africa, its presence is recorded within the borders of Egypt. Moving toward the center of the continent, it can be found in the West-Central Tropical Africa region of the DR Congo. Its range extends into East Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting the territories of Tanzania and Uganda. Finally, the species reaches the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in Bangladesh.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Saraca indica is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for many years and undergoes multiple reproductive cycles throughout its lifespan. In terms of its foliage dynamics, the species exhibits an evergreen growth habit, maintaining its leaves throughout the year rather than shedding them seasonally. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and evergreen deciduousness allows the plant to maintain continuous photosynthetic activity, contributing to its robust development and stability within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Saraca indica is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean height of 20 m, though it can vary with a maximum height of approximately 15 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic relationships, and is classified as a self-supporting structure rather than a liana, vine, or climbing habit. Its overall physical constitution is defined by a sturdy, woody architecture that supports its stature within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Saraca indica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under typical tropical environmental conditions. In terms of its nutrient acquisition profile, the species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil rather than through symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Saraca indica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Natural product communications

Chemicals

Saraca indica has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, Lyoniside, Saracoside, icariside E3, nudiposide.

3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Natural product communications

Lyoniside

1. Natural product communications

Saracoside

1. Natural product communications

icariside E3

1. Natural product communications

nudiposide

1. Natural product communications

Activities

Saraca indica has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Conditions

Saraca indica has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, antioxidant, breast cancer, cholera.

Vibrio cholerae

1. Indian journal of pharmacology

Vibrio parahaemolyticus

1. Indian journal of pharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Breast cancer

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Cholera

1. Indian journal of pharmacology

Gastrointestinal diseases

1. Indian journal of pharmacology

Preparations

Saraca indica has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Saraca indica bark extract, organic extracts, stem bark.

Saraca indica bark extract

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Organic extracts

1. Pharmacognosy research

Stem bark

1. Natural product communications