Rudraksha ( Elaeocarpus ganitrus ) is a medium-large tree that is native to India, Nepal, the Himalayas, Thailand and Indonesia. This species is most valuable for its seeds. The seeds are used to make jewellery and have significant spiritual value in both Hinduism and Buddhism. They are said to bring calm and good health to the person that wears them and are also used during prayer & meditation.
Elaeocarpus ganitrus has been for traditional medicine in India for thousands of years. The leaves, bark and the fruit of this species may have medicinal properties that can aid in depression; brain and mental health; high blood pressure; asthma; epilepsy and also as an anti-bacterial. Some research has been completed but it would be great to hear that more tests will be done in the future on this plant nicknamed ‘The King of Herbal Medicine’.
Although mostly grown in tropical climates; Rudraksha will also grow in temperate climates. Once established is drought tolerant and will cope with cold weather to just below zero.
Growth
Elaeocarpus ganitrus is a perennial evergreen tree that can grow to heights of 29 metres tall, however are more commonly seen at less than 15 metres in height. The leaves of this tree are large, green approximately 12-17 cm’s long by 5 cm’s wide and glossy on top. Its trunk can grow up to 1.2 metres in diameter, is light greyish in colour and as the roots as the tree ages can raise above the soil surface.
The white-cream frilly edged petalled flowers bloom in Spring and are small at approximately 1.5 cm’s in diameter. The flesh of Rudraksha fruit is bright blue once it is ripe and is 1.5-2.5 cm’s in diameter. The seed shell inside the fruit can contain several seeds.
The listing is for 5 seeds which are actually just the seed coat, so may provide on average anywhere between 1 to 5 seeds inside.
FAMILY:
Elaeocarpaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub Tropical & Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-3°C to 38°C / 25 to 100°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade (Shade preferred)
HEIGHT:
Up to 29 metres (95 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 25 metres (82 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.2
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Insects. Bisexual Flower.
MATURITY:
7 years
GERMINATION RATES:
35-50% The best germination rates are achieved with GA³ treatment.
GERMINATION TIME:
8-20 weeks.
SEEDS PER KILOGRAM:
Approximately 29-50
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT ELAEOCARPUS GANITRUS (Rudraksha)
Elaeocarpus ganitrus is a threatened species in its native habitat. This is mostly due to over harvesting of seeds and deforestation.
A Rudraksha Tree is a classed as a great gift in some cultures for it’s religious significance. The name translates to ‘Rudra’ meaning Lord Shiva and ‘Aksha’ meaning eyes.
It is believed that planting one of these trees in a home garden will remove any sin from the home and provide it’s occupants with good health; courage; self confidence; and assistance in reaching life goals!
The beads (seed shells) of the Rudraksha tree can have between 1 to 21 ‘faces’ or ‘Mukhi’. Each section is separated by a deep groove in the shell (endocarp) and each part in between the grooves count as one face. Different face counts have varied benefits, significance and meaning.
