Alstonia scholaris
Family : Apocynaceae
Common Name : Devils tree, Black board tree
Hindi Name : Chatian, Chatium
Tamil Name : Pala, Elaipalai, Mukampale
Malayalam : Ezhilampala, Kodapal, Mangalapala, Pala
Synonym : Echites scholaris
Tree Characteristics :
Occurs throughout the moist regions of India in Northern tropical semi-evergreen forest and in the West coast forests (Sahni, 2000). In Kerala, it occurs in moist deciduous forests. Fast growing, large buttressed and fluted evergreen tree reaching 30 m height, and a breast height diameter of 143 cm. Branches whorled, exuding milk latex when cut. Flowering season – October to December. Fruiting - December to January and April to May.
Nursery Practice :
Seed Rate is 2,70,000 to 6,60,000 seeds/kg. Fruits are collected from the trees by lopping branches just before they dehisce. Care should be taken while collecting the seeds as the pods may burst open and release the seeds. Care should be taken during extraction of the seeds. Do not keep the follicles exposed, as the seeds are blown away by wind easily. Keep follicles in cotton bags for a few days, till they dehisce and release the seeds (Chacko et al., 2002). Seeds are viable for about two months under natural conditions. No treatment is required (Chacko et al., 2002). However, soaking in IAA (200 ppm), water soaking for 24 h and continuous hot water (50oC) soaking for 30 min. improve germination (Kundu et al., 1998). Germination Percentage – 50 to 60. Germination Period -14 to 20 days.
Economic Use:
-
Wood white, soft, even grained, lustrous. The bark is grey and rough and exude a milky latex when cut. Wood of Alstonia scholaris is suitable for pencil manufacture. The wood is used for packing cases, match splints, tea boxes and furniture. Also used in paper industry.
-
Aqueous extract of latex is of great value for the control of harmful aquatic snails Lymnaea acuminata and Indoplanorbis exustus and other molluscan pests
-
Ornamental and Road side/ Avenue Tree.
