Terminalia arjuna
{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Fruit I IMG 9577.jpg
|image_caption = Arjuna fruit
|image2 = Flowers with Sykes's warbler I IMG 1880.jpg
|image2_caption = Arjuna flowers with a Sykes's warbler
|status_ref =
|genus = Terminalia
|species = arjuna
|authority = (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.
}}
Terminalia arjuna is a tree of the genus Terminalia. It is commonly known as arjuna or arjun tree in English. It is used as a traditional medicinal plant.{{cite Banglapedia |article=Flora |author=M Iqbal Zuberi}}
Description
T. arjuna grows to about 20–25 metres tall; usually has a buttressed trunk, and forms a wide canopy at the crown, from which branches drop downwards. It has oblong, conical leaves which are green on the top and brown below; smooth, grey bark; it has pale yellow flowers which appear between March and June; its glabrous, 2.5 to 5 cm fibrous woody fruit, divided into five wings, appears between September and November.{{cite journal |last1=Biswas |first1=Moulisha |last2=Biswas |first2=Kaushik |last3=Karan |first3=Tarun K |last4=Bhattacharya |first4=Sanjib |last5=Ghosh |first5=Ashoke K |last6=Haldar |first6=Pallab K |year=2011 |title=Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Terminalia arjuna leaf |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267427155_Evaluation_of_analgesic_and_anti-inflammatory_activities_of_Terminalia_arjuna_leaf |journal=Journal of Phytology |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=33–8}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ecoindia.com/flora/trees/arjun-tree.html|title=Arjun Tree |publisher=Eco India}}
The tree does not suffer from any major diseases or pests, but it is susceptible to Phyllactinia terminale and rot due to polystictus affinis.
Distribution and habitat
The arjuna is seen across the Indian Subcontinent, and usually found growing on river banks or near dry river beds in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and south and central India, Karachi Pakistan along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.{{cite book|last1=Rastogī|first1=Rekhā|title=Let Us Identify The Useful Trees(New)|date=2008|publisher=Children's Book Trust|page=7,8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eL8RlQBNRjoC&dq=terminalia+arjuna&pg=PA7|isbn=978-81-7011-919-7}} It has also been planted in Malaysia, Indonesia and Kenya.{{cite book|title=The CABI Encyclopedia of Forest Trees|year = 2013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cBf4AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA464|page=464|isbn = 9781780642369}}
Importance
=Silk production=
The arjuna is one of the species whose leaves are fed on by the Antheraea paphia moth which produces the tassar silk, a wild silk of commercial importance.{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ab598e/AB598E13.htm|title=Non-wood forest products In 15 countries of Tropical Asia|author=M.P. Shiva|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}}
Gallery
File:Terminalia_arjuna_trunk_03_by_Line1.JPG|Lower trunk
File:Terminalia arjuna.jpg|Leaves
File:Terminalia arjuna trunk 01 by Line1.JPG|Middle trunk
File:Inflorescence of Terminalia arjuna.jpg|Inflorescence
File:Pollen grains of Terminalia arjuna.jpg|Pollen grains
File:Arjuna fruits(Dried).jpg|Dried fruits
File:Terminalia arjuna DSC 0267.JPG|Bark
References
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- {{Commons category-inline}}
- {{Wikispecies-inline}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2719381}}