Common Name: Fragrant ashok. Tamil Name: Nedunar, Kodanci.
Fragrant Ashok is a large tree that grows to over 25 meters in height and is native to the Western Ghat region. The trunk is straight and light grey-white in color and buttressed. The tree has an round upper crown, not much branching is seen in lower levels. It is seen in moist and evergreen forest areas in Western Ghats areas around North Karnataka, Malabar and Konkan region. Young leaves have a rusty appearance. The simple leaves are arranged in an alternate manner; the leaves are about 15 cm in length. The leaf shape is ovate and the leaf has an acute apex. The flowers are borne on the upper branches and appear star like with tepals arranged in a circular manner. The petals are greenish-yellow in color. The fruit is in the from of an aggregate of berries. They are ellipsoid is shape and contain a single seed.
