Saptaparna - Alstonia scholaris

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.