Ailanthus excelsa

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Ailanthus excelsa
Illustration
Scientific classification Edit this 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.

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]

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).[citation needed]

References

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