Salvadora oleoides

Salvadora oleoides is a small bushy evergreen tree found in India and Pakistan and southern Iran. Its common name is Vann or Toothbrush Tree.
The root and stem possess various antimicrobial agents and is traditionally used as toothbrush in Pakistan and India.

Habitat

The vann is commonly found in and around Sandal Bar, and is reserved for use as grazing sources for local peasant villages. In addition, a number of trees have been preserved to provide shade for cattle.

Wood

The vann is mostly non-woody and the small amount of wood that it has is soft, light, and not particularly useful for any of wood's normal uses, notably building and heat. When burnt, it leaves a large quantity of ash, which can then be boiled down into a substance for treating mange in camels.

In literature

Jal-tree

In the janamsakhis of Guru Nanak, he was found laying under a jal-tree whose shadow remained stationary to protect him from the sun. Macauliffe identifies this tree as Salvadora oleoides.