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