Ailanthus excelsa

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

{{Speciesbox

|image = Ailanthus excelsa 111.JPG

|image_caption = Illustration

|genus = Ailanthus

|species = excelsa

|authority = Roxb.

|synonyms =

• Ailanthus wightii Tiegh.

}}

Ailanthus excelsa, commonly known as tree of heaven, is a large deciduous tree found in India and Sri Lanka.{{cite book|last1=Krishen|first1=Pradip|title=Jungle Trees of Central India|date=2013|publisher=Penguin group|isbn=9780143420743|page=164}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ailanthus+excelsa|title=Ailanthus excelsa - Useful Tropical Plants|website=tropical.theferns.info|access-date=2019-12-17}}

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.{{Cite book|title=A Manual of Indian Timbers|last=Gamble|first=J. S.|publisher=Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh|year=1972}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ailanthus+excelsa|title=Ailanthus excelsa - Useful Tropical Plants|website=tropical.theferns.info|access-date=2019-12-17}}

The tree is also used in matchstick industry,{{Cite web|url=http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ailanthus+excelsa|title=Ailanthus excelsa - Useful Tropical Plants|website=tropical.theferns.info|access-date=2019-12-17}} as fodder for goats,{{Cite journal|date=January 2002|title=Nutritional Evaluation of Fodder Tree Leaves with Goats|journal= Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences|volume=15|pages=34–37|doi=10.5713/ajas.2002.34|via=Research Gate|last1=Azim|first1=A.|last2=Khan|first2=A. G.|last3=Ahmad|first3=J.|last4=Ayaz|first4=M.|last5=Mirza|first5=I. H.|doi-access=free}} and is one of the best tree used to trap Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM).{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}