Common Name:

General Information

Alstonia iwahigensis is a tree that usually grows up to 45 metres tall, though specimens up to 70 metres have been recorded. The tall, straight bole is fluted; it can be up to 80 cm in diameter, with straight buttresses up to 6 metres high, and spreading out at the base for about 2 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

An emergent tree in both primary and secondary forests, growing on hillsides on both sandy and loamy soils; at elevations from 20 - 500 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	35.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The diluted latex is drunk to cure fevers[]. The latex mixed with honey is taken as a tonic[, ].

A decoction of the roots is taken to treat diabetes and lumbago[].

Other Uses

The trunk yields a copious white latex[]. It is used medicinally[, ].

The wood is used for pulai[]. It is used for pencil manufacture, matches, tea chests, crates, plywood, pulp, carpentry and carving[].
We have no more specific information for this species, but the general description of pulai timber is as follows:-

The heartwood is a cream white to a light yellow; it is not clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is medium; grain straight, sometimes irregular or oblique; the aspect slightly lustrous. The wood is light in weight; soft to very soft; not very durable, being susceptible to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. It seasons rapidly with only a slight risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is stable in service. It works well with normal tools, though these should be kept sharp to avoid fuzzy surfaces; filling is recommended in order to obtain a good finish; nailing and screwing are poor; gluing is correct. The wood is suitable for uses such as boxes and crates, interior panelling and joinery, matches, furniture and moulding[].

Propagation

Seed -

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