Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudraksha Tree)

Prized for its blue seeds, Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudraksha Tree) is a large evergreen tree adorned with a spreading handsome crown of shiny, green, oblong leaves. The trunk is rough textured, cylindrical, and grayish-white. As the tree matures, it is usually buttressed at the base with its roots radiating out along the surface of the ground. Dense racemes of tiny white flowers with fringed petals appear in spring, mostly from the axils of the fallen leaves. They are followed by small, round or oval, violet, or blue fruits that are acidic in taste. They contain hard seeds (beads) and are known as blueberry beads. Rudraksha beads are one of the most sacred of all Hindu insignia and are often described as tears shed by Lord Shiva for the benefit of humanity. Traditionally Rudraksha is also used in the treatment of hypertension, anxiety, epilepsy, migraine, depression, palpitation, nerve pain, asthma, arthritis, and liver disease. Fast-growing, Rudraksha is valued for its timber. Its main use, however, comes from the seeds or beads that are generally worn by people on their wrists, forearms, or neck. The wearing of Rudraksha is believed to bestow psychic powers, good health, and prosperity to the individual.

• Grows up to 50-200 ft. tall (15-60 m) in its natural environment, but is usually much smaller in gardens.
• Performs best in full sun to part shade in well-drained soils that cannot be dry, wet or mucky. Require regular watering when young, then as the plant matures, it becomes drought tolerant. Fertilize sparingly 10 in. (25 cm) away from the base, 3 times per year with a slow time released product.
• Will start bearing fruit in 3-4 years.
• Native from the Gangetic plain in the foothills of the Himalayas to South-East Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Guam, and Hawaii.