specifications of different types of trees, shrubs, herbs etc

1. Plant Materials
Submitted by-
Abhiniti Garg
Anurag Kamal
Kavita
Navdha Kabra
Sonali

2. STATE COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME
Andhra Pradesh Neem Azadirachta indica
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand Sal Shorea robusta
Gujarat Mango Mangifera indica
Himachal Pradesh Deodar Cedrus deodara
Karnataka Sandalwood Santalum album
Kerala Coconut Cocos nucifera
Lakshadweep Bread fruit Artocarpus altilis
Meghalaya White teak Gmelina arborea
Madhya Pradesh Banyan Ficus benghalensis
Maharashtra Mango Mangifera indica
Uttar Pradesh Ashoka tree Saraca asoca
Mizoram Iron wood Mesua ferrea
Odisha Ashwatha Ficus religiosa
Manipur Indian Mahogany Toona ciliata

4. BANYAN TREE
• Other names : Bargad, Bor, Ber, Ala and Pedda mari, Nayagrodha,
Ala mara, Bar, Vad, Vatnam, Bahupada, Peddamarri, Al are the other
names used for the Banyan tree. Indians call it a wish fulfilling tree.
Description : Banyan tree is a huge tree with very extensive
branches. It is said that at one time more than 10, 000 people can
sit under its shade at one time. It is a evergreen tree. It branches
spread out and send trunk like roots to the ground in order to
support itself. It grows to a height of more than 21 meters and lives
for many years. The leaves are 10 -20 cm long and has many aerial
roots. The leaves are broad, oval and glossy.
White milky fluid oozes out of leaves, if
broken. It can grow in to the giant tree
covering several hectares.

5. • Medicinal uses : The Banyan tree also has several medicinal properties. Its leaf, bark,
seeds and fig are used for the variety of disorders like diarrhoea, polyuria, dental,
diabetes and urine disorders. The wood of the Banyan tree is used in making door
panels, boxes and the other items. Its bark is used for making paper and ropes. The
milky latex that comes from its leaves and stems is used in many Ayurvedic
medicines.
Other uses : In India its edible leaves are used as the plates. It is planted for the soil
conservation. Wood is used for well curbs, door panels, boxes, furniture etc. It is
suitable for paper pulp. The wood of the aerial roots is stronger and is used for the
tent poles and cart yokes.
Cultural importance : Banyan tree is respected and is considered as sacred by the
people in India. In the sacred Hindu Book 'Bhagwad Gita' Lord Krishna has sung
praises on the Banyan tree. People in India grow Banyan tree closer to the Peepal
tree. As Banyan tree is considered as the male plant closely related to the Peepal
tree. It symbolize Trimurti with Vishnu as the barl, Shiva as the branches and Brahma
as the roots. Indians considered Banyan tree as 'Kalpa Vriksha' the tree that fulfil all
your wishes. The mighty Banyan Tree is considered as immortal and has always been
the focal point for the village communities in India. It is probably the biggest and
friendliest of all trees. Banyan tree is the tree of knowledge and tree of life.

6. PEEPAL
• Other names : Bo tree, Bodhi tree, Sacred tree, Beepul tree, Pipers,
Pimpal, Jari, Arani,Ashvattha, Ragi, Bodhidruma, Shuchidruma, Pipalla,
Ashvattha and the Buddha tree are the other names used for the Banyan
tree.
Description : Peepal is a large, fast growing deciduous tree. It has a heart
shaped leaves. It is a medium size tree and has a large crown with the
wonderful wide spreading branches. It shed its leaves in the month of
March and April. The fruits of the Peepal are hidden with the figs. The figs
are ripen in the month of May. The figs which contain the flowers grow in
pairs just below the leaves and
look like the berries. Its bark is
light gray and peels in patches. Its
fruit is purple in colour. It is one
of the longest living trees.

7. • Medicinal uses : This tree of life has also got the medicinal value. The juice of its leaves
extracted by holding them near the fire can be used as the ear drop. Its power bark has been
used to heal the wounds for years. The bark of the tree is useful in inflammations and
glandular swelling of the neck. Its root bark is useful for stomatitis, clean ulcers, and
promotes granulations. Its roots are also good for gout. The roots are even chewed to
prevent gum diseases. Its fruit is laxative which promotes digestion and checks vomiting. Its
ripe fruits are good for the foul taste, thirst and heart diseases. The powered fruit is taken for
Asthma. Its seeds have proved useful in urinary troubles. The leaves are used to treat
constipation.
Other uses : People in India collect the Peepal leaves, clean them, dry them and than paint
them with the gold acrylic in order to preserve them for years. From the bark of the Peepal
tree reddish dye is extracted. Its leaves are used to feed the camels and the elephants. When
the leaves are dried they are used for the decoration purpose.
Cultural importance : Peepal tree has the great importance in India especially among the
Buddhist who regard Peepal tree as the personification of Buddha. Lord Buddha attained
enlightenment mediating under the Peepal tree. It is regarded as the sacred tree and the
people uses its leaves for the religious purposes. According to the Buddha – 'He who
worships the Peepal tree will receive the same reward as if he worshiped me in person'. The
Peepal tree has its own symbolic meaning of Enlightenment and peace. People tie threads of
white, red and yellow silk around it to pray for progeny and rewarding parenthood. Hindus in
India holds the great spiritual regard for the Peepal Tree, they regard it as the tree beneath
which Vishnu was born.

8. NEEM TREE
• Other names : It is popularly known as the miracle tree. It is known
as Nimba in India. The Sanskrit name of Neem is Arishtha meaning
the reliever of the sickness. Margosa tree
Description : It is a tall evergreen tree with the small bright green
leaves. It is up to 100 feet tall. It blossoms in spring with the small
white flowers. It has a straight trunk. Its bark is hard rough and
scaly, fissured even in small trees. The colour of the bark is brown
grayish. The leaves are alternate and consists of several leaflets
with serrated edges. Its flowers are small and white in colour. The
loive like edible fruit is oval,
round and thin skinned.

9. • Medicinal uses : The indigenous people of Nilgiris consume the dried and powered tubulers
of the terrestrial orchids as an energizing tonic. Neem also holds medicinal value. Each part of
neem is used in the medicines. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicines for more than 4000
years. Neem oil extracted from its seeds is used in medicines, pest control and cosmetics etc.
Its leaves are used in the treat Chickenpox.. According to the Hindus, it is believed that the
Goddess of the chickenpox, Sithala lives in the Neem tree. Neem tea is usually taken to
reduce the headache and fever. Its flowers are used to cure intestinal problems. Neem bark
acts as an analgesic and can cure high fever as of malaria. Even the skin diseases can be cured
from the Neem leaves. Indians even believe that the Neem can even purify diseases.
Other uses : People in India use its twigs to brush their teeth. Neem is considered as the
useful tree in rehabilitating the waste land areas. Neem seed pulp is useful for methane gas
production. It is also useful as carbohydrate which is rich base for other industrial
fermentations. Neem bark contains tannins which are used in tanning and dyeing. In south
India its wood is used to make the furniture. The bark of the yields the fiber that is woven
into ropes. Neem cake is widely used in India as fertilizer for sugarcane, vegetable and other
cash crops. Many countries have been consistently growing the Neem tree against the global
warming. The worldwide Neem Foundation has helped in making the people aware about the
importance of neem and its uses globally.
Cultural Importance : One can find Neem in almost all the parts of India. It is said that
planting Neem tree in the house is a ensured passage to heaven. Its leaves are stung on the
main entrance to remain away from the evil spirits. Brides take bath in the water filled with
the Neem leaves. Newly born babies are laid upon the Neem leaves to provide them with the
protective aura. Neem gives out more oxygen than other trees. The neem tree is also
connected with the Sun, in the story of Neembark 'The Sun in the Neem tree'. Neem is the
wonder tree and finds mention in the number of ancient texts.

10. INDIAN MAHOGANY
• Other names : Mahogany, West Indian Mahogany, Spanish
mahogany, Madeira redwood, acajou, caoba, caoba de Santo, cheria
mahogany, Cuban mahogany, American mahogany, True mahogany,
small leaf mahogany, Dominican mahogany are some of the other
names of Indian Mahogany.
Description : Indian Mahogany grow up to the height of 30 -40 feet.
It is fast upright growing tree with abroad rounded symmetrical
crown. It is 20 -30 feet in spread. The fruit is a large greenish brown
capsule, splitting into 5 parts relwasing flat, long winged, light
brown seeds. Its wood is red brown in colour. Both the male and
the female flowers are produced on the same plant. The bark is
smooth dark brown in colour. The leaves are
pinnate which are 12 -25 cm long, with four
to eight leaflets.

11. • Cultivation methods :Indian Mahogany is mostly propagated
through seeds. It requires partial shade or full Sun for its growth. It
needs water periodically. It looses its leaves at the end of the
winter. The new leaves start growing after two three weeks. The
new leaves are reddish purple in colour, which turn yellow green
afterwards.
Medicinal uses : The bark extracts are used as an astringent for
wounds. It is used to cure malaria, anemia diarrhea, fever,
dysentery and depurative. The leaves contain several limonoids;
seven phragmalin limonoids of swietephragmins A-G as well two
other different types of 2-hydroxy-3-O-tigloylswietenolide and
deacetylsecomahoganin.
Other uses : Its wood is used in making furniture, fixtures, musical
instruments, inlay, boat, caskets and many more. Its wood is a very
popular material for drum making.

12. SAL TREE
• Other names : Shala, Sarai, Sargi, Salwa, Sakhu, Sakher,
Shal, Kandar and Sakwa are the other names used for
the Sal tree.
Description : Sal is a large sub deciduous tree. It is up
to 30 meter high. Sal tree is seldom completely
leafless. It has large leathery leaves and yellowish
flowers. They have tough texture. Young trees have a
linear crown, which becomes rounder and flatter with
aging. The sapwood is whitish in colour, thick and is
less durable. The heartwood becomes dark brown to
black in colour on exposure. The wood
pores are filled with resin.

13. • Medicinal uses : The resin is used in the indigenous system of medicine as an astringent and
detergent and is given in diarrhea and dysentery. It is also used as an ingredient of ointments
for skin diseases and in the ear troubles. It is also used in the foot care cream. The fruits of
the Sal tree are used in the treatment of excessive salivation, epilepsy, and chlorosis. The
powered seeds have insecticides properties. The powered seeds are even used to treat dental
problems. It cleanses the skin of oily secretion and is used as the cleanser for washing hair.
Other uses : The leaves of the Sal tree are used by the tribal people for preparing rice cakes
and for smoking. The leaves are used to make platters, bowls, small baskets and many more.
Distilled leaves produce an oil which is used in perfumery. It is also used in flavouing chewing
gums and tobacco. Its dried and fallen leaves are used as fertilizers. It is used for caulking
ships and boats. The oil that comes out from its seed is edible and is known as Sal butter. It is
often used in cooking and for the burning in the oil lamps. The seeds of the Sal tree are used
for fat extraction. Its oil is even used for adulterating ghee. Tribal people give marriage
invitation in the form of folded Sal leaves, with the little bit of turmeric and rice inside it.
Cultural Importance : Sal tree is worshiped among the Buddhist and Hindus in India. It is
mentioned in many scriptures that the Buddha was born and died under the Sal tree. A
branch of the tree bend down to support his mother Maya and as soon as he held on the
tree, the baby appeared. Sal tree has special significance in the festivals and marriages of
Adivasi. A pole of the Sal tree is considered very important and unless the bridegroom sits on
the altar made of tree of Sal, the marriage has no meaning. It also holds great value in the
lives of the indigenous populance of Chotanagpur plateau. It is the main attraction of the
festival of Sarhul, which means Sal Blossoms Festival. The whole festival revolves round the
Sal tree.

14. BANYAN TREE PEEPAL NEEM TREE INDIAN
MAHOGANY
SAL TREE
Other names Bargad, Bor,
Ber, Ala and
Pedda mari
Jari, Arani,
Ashvattha,
Ragi
Nimba,
Arishtha,
Margosa
West Indian
Mahogany,
acajou, caoba
Shala, Sarai,
Sargi, Salwa
Description evergreen
tree, More
than 21m tall
a large, fast
growing
deciduous
tree
evergreen
tree, up to
100 feet tall
grow up to
the height of
30 -40 feet.
large sub
deciduous
tree, up to
30m high
Medicinal
uses
(used for the
disorders like)
diarrhoea,
polyuria,
dental,
diabetes
glandular
swelling of
the neck
and heart
diseases
Chickenpox
reduce the
headache and
fever
malaria,
anaemia
diarrhoea,
fever,
dysentery and
depurative
excessive
salivation,
epilepsy,
chlorosis
Other uses Has edible
leaves and
soil is
conserved
Dried leaves
are used for
decoration
purpose
twigs to brush
teeth, against
the global
warming
wood is used
for furniture,
musical
instruments
Its dried and
fallen leaves
are used as
fertilizers
Image

15. Range of tree sizes
Dwarf trees (3 to 5m tall) - Albizia lebbek,
Bisantha, Bixca orellana
Medium size (6 to 10m tall) - Caesalpinia,
Lagerstromia throreli, Melia azadirach
Tall tress (more than110 m tall) -
Peltophorum roxburghii, Bombax
malabaricum
Giant trees - Ficus bengalensis, Bombax
ceiba

16. Growth Habits of Trees
Shape Suitable for - Examples-
Oval These plants are suitable for
frame or screen
Populus alba, Albizzia
julibrissin
Vase shaped They can be used above the
large shrubs or small
trees
Melia azadirach, Plumeria
acutifolia. P.alba. P.obtusa
Pyramidal It can be used as an accent
plant
Pinus roxburghii, Araucaria
cooki
Round These plants can be used in the
lawn as specimen
Plumeria alba,Chorisia
speciosa
Columnar They frame the views and
structure in the landscape
setting
Juniperus chinensis, Betula
pendula
Weeping It can be used as a focal point Salix Babylonica, S. alba.
Putranjiva roxburghii
Round to spreading These plants mass well to create
grove effect
Dalbergia sisso, Dillenia
Indica
Fan shaped They can be used as a focal
point
Cycus revoluta, Borassus
fladellifer

25. Types of Plants
Flowering Plants – for attractive flowers
Foliage Plants – for shape and colour of their
leaves
Succulent Plants – have fleshly leaves or
stems that store water
Ferns - are non flowering plants