Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.
| Kannada Name : | Adda sarpa |
| Common Name : | Devil tree |
| Family Name : | Apocynaceae |
| Scientific Name : | Alstonia scholaris |
| Species Type : | Exotic |
| Phenology : | Evergreen |
| Conservation Status : | Least concern |
| Flowering Period : | October - March |
| Fruiting Period : | April - June |
| Origin : | Southern China, Tropical Asia |
Uses
The wood is used for the manufacture of pencils. It has proved a valuable remedy in chronic diarrhoea and the advanced stages of dysentery. It has also been found effectual in restoring the tone of the stomach and of the system generally in debility after fevers and other exhausting diseases.
Description
Medium to large tree, up to 40m in height. Leaves in whorls of 4-8 in the upper axils, the lamina obovate to elliptical or elliptical-lanceolate, glabrous or sparsely hairy, upper surface is dark green, the lower is green-white; The tip of the leaf is rounded or shortly pointed, tapering towards the base. The inflorescence is a much-branched terminal panicle; flowers white, cream or green, strongly perfumed. Fruit a pendulous, two-lobed, dehiscent follicle, brown or green, dry or woody, spindle-shaped, containing numerous flat, oblong, brown seeds, with a tuft of hairs at each end.
