Blackboard Tree
Family
Apocynaceae
Origin
Southeast Asia
Description
Alstonia is evergreen fast-growing tree, that grows up to 30 m tall. The slightly rounded, leathery, dark green leaves form whorls of 4-7. And a very regular branching gives the tree a beautiful shape. Flowers are small, greenish white, very strongly scented and occurs in early winter. Scented flowers fill the night air with fragrance.
The plant attracts bees & butterflies. it is favourite tree for Mynah birds to make nests.
In Ayurveda it is used as a bitter and as an astringent herb for treating skin disorders, malarial fever, urticaria, chronic dysentery, diarrhea, in snake bite and for upper purification process of Panchakarma .
Environment
It grows better under moist, warm climate but cannot stand water logging.
Landscape Use
It is also often planted for its ornamental and shade value.
