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Arjun Tree
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Arjun Tree
ative Photo: Thingnam Girija
Common name: Arjun • Hindi: अर्जुन Arjun • Manipuri: ꯃꯥꯏꯌꯣꯛꯐꯥ Maiyokpha • Tamil: மருது Marutu • Malayalam: Nirmarutu • Kannada: ನೀರುಮತ್ತಿ Nirmatti, ತೊಱೆಮತ್ತಿ, ತೊರೆಮತ್ತಿ Torematti, ತೊಱೆಮೞ್ತಿ Toremazhti, Toremalti
Botanical name: Terminalia arjuna      Family: Combretaceae (rangoon creeper family)

In Indian mythology, Arjun is supposed to be Sita's favourite tree. Native to India, the tree attracts lot of attention because of its association with mythology and its many uses. Arjuna is a large, evergreen tree, with a spreading crown and drooping branches. Grows up to 25 m height, and the bark is grey and smooth. Leaves are sub-opposite, 5-14 × 2-4.5 cm in size, oblong or elliptic oblong. Flowers small, white, and occur on long hanging recemes. Fruit is 2.3-3.5 cm long, fibrous woody, glabrous and has five hard wings, striated with numerous curved veins. Flowering time of the tree is April-July, in Indian conditions.
Medicinal uses: Every part of the tree has useful medicinal properties. Arjun holds a reputed position in both Ayurvedic and Yunani Systems of medicine. According to Ayurveda it is alexiteric, styptic, tonic, anthelmintic, and useful in fractures, uclers, heart diseases, biliousness, urinary discharges, asthma, tumours, leucoderma, anaemia, excessive prespiration etc. According to Yunani system of medicine, it is used both externally and internally in gleet and urinary discharges.

Identification credit: R.K. Nimai Singh Photographed in Lodhi gardens, New Delhi & Bangalore.

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