Saraca asoca (Family - Fabaceae) is well-known medicinal tree species used
in codified and non-codified systems of traditional medicine. Tree parts, viz., bark,
flower, leaf, root and fruit, are used to treat various disorders. A huge number of
pharmaceutical products were prepared using bark as one of the major ingredients.
Ashoka tree is categorized as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) and endangered by the Conservation Assessment and Management Plan
(CAMP) due to its overexploitation and limited distribution. Unsustainable utilization,
deforestation and climate changes are the major threats to the existence of the species.
Aiming at the conservation of the Ashoka tree, ample research works were performed
to standardize the micropropagation techniques. The present chapter discusses the
efforts made towards conservation and micropropagation studies on the Ashoka tree.
Keywords: Ayurveda, Conservation, Medicinal Plant, Saraca asoca, Tissue Culture, Vulnerable.
