Ailanthus excelsa

Ailanthus excelsa, commonly known as tree of heaven, is a large deciduous tree found in India and Sri Lanka.[1] In Tamil, it is also known as Pi-Nari Maram due to its disagreeable odor. The trees are grown along the edges of fields and rivers to mark boundaries and prevent soil erosion.[2]

Ailanthus excelsa
Illustration
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Simaroubaceae
Genus: Ailanthus
Species:
A. excelsa
Binomial name
Ailanthus excelsa
Roxb.
Synonyms
  • Ailanthus wightii Tiegh.

The tree has several uses in medicine as the gum and the bitter, aromatic leaves are reported to have medicinal properties. The bark is a febrifuge and can be used as a treatment against asthma, bronchitis and dysentery.[3] The leaves and bark are also in good repute as a tonic that is used after labor. The juice of the leaves and fresh bark is used as a remedy for after-pains.[4]

The tree is also used in matchstick industry[5], as fodder for goats[6], and is one of the best tree used to trap Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM).

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References
  1. Krishen, Pradip (2013). Jungle Trees of Central India. Penguin group. p. 164. ISBN 9780143420743.
  2. "Ailanthus excelsa - Useful Tropical Plants". tropical.theferns.info. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  3. Gamble, J. S. (1972). A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh.
  4. "Ailanthus excelsa - Useful Tropical Plants". tropical.theferns.info. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  5. "Ailanthus excelsa - Useful Tropical Plants". tropical.theferns.info. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  6. Azim, A.; Khan, A. G.; Ahmad, J.; Ayaz, M.; Mirza, I. H. (January 2002). "Nutritional Evaluation of Fodder Tree Leaves with Goats". Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences. 15: 34–37. doi:10.5713/ajas.2002.34 – via Research Gate.
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